1916 The Centenary Year
January 13 2016
UCC are running a series of short courses this Spring under the theme of ‘1916: The Centenary Year’.
With an emphasis on the fine and applied arts, architecture and literature, these courses will address the various and diverse cultural activities that were happening in Ireland in the generations before 1916 and which were shaping a particular Irish identity.
I’m delighted to have been invited to deliver a lecture series entitled ‘Towards 1916: Nationalism, Identity and the Decorative Arts in Ireland, 1860 – 1916’.
As Ireland’s struggle for independence continued throughout the nineteenth century, the country witnessed much political, economic and social upheaval as it moved towards events of 1916. Yet, in the decades leading up to the rising, Ireland’s path to political freedom was increasingly being viewed through a cultural lens and a growing sense of national identity helped define many artistic and craft based movements. In addition the desire to address Ireland’s economic difficulties through the revival of Irish industry and training of its workforce, also contributed to the canon of Irish applied art at this period.
The course highlights significant milestones in the decorative arts and crafts from 1860 to 1916 and looks at how the path to 1916 can be traced through the story of movements such as the Home industries, Celtic Revival and the Arts & Crafts Society of Ireland.
The course begins on January 28th at UCC, Cork. For further information check out the UCC: Adult Continuing Education Department.