Module: Land, Politics & Society in Ireland 1790-1922

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Land, Politics & Society in Ireland 1790-1922
Module Code	HIS1003 (ITS: HIS3)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module provides an in-depth analysis of the interaction of political, economic and social forces in nineteenth century Ireland culminating in the signing of the Anglo Irish Treaty. Students study pre-famine Irish society, the modernisation of Ireland after 1845 and the factors that cemented political divisions 1880-1920To support students in their studies a chronology that notes many of the key dates and developments that took place between the late eighteenth century and 1922, general study advice, information about the key reading materials and also a guide to online resources are provided.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D87C2BA-F29B-0001-79F9-20707AC085F0
2. Analyse the importance of the Act of Union, in providing the context for the main developments that occurred in Ireland up to 1922
3.
4. 8,9
5. 1
6. 1D87C2BA-F583-0001-DE8F-199C16A917A0
7. Assess the significance of the political campaigns of Daniel O'Connell
8.
9. 7,6,9
10. 2
11. 1D87C2BA-FFA2-0001-1790-639D544011C0
12. Analyse the importance of the Land Question to Irish politics and society
13.
14. 7,6,9
15. 3
16. 1D87C2BB-04B6-0001-EF54-E27015A09A50
17. Illustrate the main consequences arising from the emergence and development of Nationalism and Loyalism/Unionism up to 1922
18.
19. 7,6,8
20. 4
21. 1D87C2BB-08EB-0001-4028-F3F010FC1AA8
22. Examine the reasons behind the emergence and development of Republicanism up to 1922
23.
24. 7,6,9,10
25. 5
26. 1D87C2BB-13D2-0001-59D1-180B1160143B
27. Determine the extent to which religion was an influence in Irish politics and society up to 1922
28.
29. 7,6,8
30. 6
31. 1DF1551D-D364-0001-6ECE-D84F16EC1560
32. Develop historical research skills by actively engaging with primary sources.
33.
34. 8,11,9,10
35. 7

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	18	No Description
Online activity	60	No Description
Independent Study	297	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11445	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Neville Scarlett	Module Teacher	Leeann Lane, Shirley Anne O'Brien

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Document analysis	20%	n/a
Assignment	Historiography, Essay Outline, Essay	25%	n/a
Assignment	Essay and Reflective Piece	25%	n/a
Assignment	Essay and Linked Online Presentation	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	l,
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Part 1: Pre-Famine Society

Unit 1: Ireland in the 1790s

Unit 2: Setting the scene: The Act of Union

Unit 3: Towards famine? Agrarian Societies before 1845

Unit 4: The Sectarian Inheritance in Pre-Famine Ireland

Unit 5: Tampering with the Union: O'Connell and Reform 1830-46

Unit 6: Repeal as a Politiciser 1830-46

Unit 7: Irish Protestantism and the Formation of a Loyalist Identity 1800-1850

Unit 8: De-Industrialisation and a Changing World 1820-1850

Unit 9: The famine: Dealing with the Catastrophe

Part 2: Modernisation after 1845

Unit 10: Republicanism 1847-70: Social or Political Revolution?

Unit 11: 'Cullenite Catholicism': The Devotional Revolution after 1850

Unit 12: Irish Protestantism after 1850: Devotional Revival, Political Decline?

Unit 13: Politicising the Land Issue 1850-70

Unit 14: The Changing of the Rural World: Land Agitation and the Assault on Landlordism 1870-1890

Unit 15: Fenianism and Home Rule 1870-80: Rivals or Allies?

Part 3: Cementing Political Divisions 1880-1920

Unit 16: Parnell and the Disciplined Home Rule Party 1880-90

Unit 17: How New was the 'New Nationalism' 1880-1900?

Unit 18: The Concept of Unionism: The Challenge to Home Rule 1880-1900

Unit 19: Making the Union Work: 'Constructive Unionism' 1890-1905

Unit 20: 'Republicanising' The Nationalist Movement 1898-1916

Unit 21: Ulster's 'Lone stand' 1910-18

Unit 22: Republican Takeover 1916-1920

Part 4: The 'Long Nineteenth Century'

Unit 23: The Changing Rural World 1878-1920: Political Radicalism and Social Conservatism

Unit 24: Religion, Politics and the Debate on Education 1845-1910

Unit 25: The Catholic Church and Irish Political Identity before 1920

Unit 26: Workers, Livelihood and Politics: The Role of Trade Unionism 1870-1920

Unit 27: Towards a Political Solution: Government of Ireland Act and Anglo-Irish Treaty 1920-1922

Unit 28: Creating an 'Ireland Abroad': The Emigration Issue in Post-Famine Ireland

Unit 29: Conclusions

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bartlett, T.: 2011, Ireland: A History, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Jackson, A.: 2010, Ireland, 1798-1998. War, Peace and Beyond, Second Edition, Wiley-Blackwell,
Boyce, D. G.: 2005, Nineteenth-Century Ireland: The Search for Stability, Gill & Macmillan Ltd,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None