Cultural Treasures

History From the Perspective of a History Major

During the spring semester of 2022, I took a modern Irish history course with Professor McClurkin. In class, we learned about events like the Easter Rising and the War of Independence, where Ireland saw the emergence of the Irish Republican movement, the establishment of the Irish Free State, and the partition of Ireland. We learned about the more recent past and discussed periods like The Troubles, an era of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, which lasted from the late 1960s until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Throughout the course, I investigated the causes of the nation's conflict, key events, the role of various groups, including the British Army, the Irish Republican Army, and loyalist paramilitaries, as well as key figures in these political movements. I valued the class and was grateful that it supplied me with prior knowledge about Ireland, so I had a foundation to build upon as I traveled and learned more. 

As a history major, one of the most extraordinary things about the trip was that I had researched specific Irish figures, memorials, and events before traveling to the country. I had spent time learning about Ireland's history in the classroom and was fortunate to see things I saw on Powerpoint slides come to life before my own eyes. For example, linked below is a material culture assignment I did on the famine memorial (Dublin). I had never been to the monument or heard about it before taking the class, and I studied it in-depth for an assignment using online photos and websites. Right next to the material culture document is a recent photo I took standing in front of the same famine memorial I made observations and inferences about in the assignment I submitted over a year ago. 

Food

Traditional Irish foods have a rich history and reflect the country's agrarian heritage and rural traditions. While many Irish dishes may not be well-known outside of Ireland, they are beloved by locals and are an important part of the country's culinary heritage. A classic Irish dish that I enjoyed is the traditional Irish breakfast, which typically includes fried eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, white pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and toast. I tried this meal for the first time at an Irish hotel Ruby and I stayed at, as well as at the McCarthy's house.

Another famous Irish food is soda bread, a bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. This bread has been a staple in Irish homes for generations and is often served alongside a hearty stew or soup. A stew that I tried and liked a lot was Beef and Guinness Stew. It was very hearty and filling because it was made with beef, vegetables, and the famous Irish stout, Guinness.

Other foods I enjoyed included Ballymaloe relish, Cadbury Chocolate, Chips, and Shepherd's pie.