Detailed Information

Heaney and Ulster Voices

This course offers students the opportunity to gain an indepth understanding of Northern Irish writing including Seamus Heaney, one of Ireland’s greatest poetic voices. We will read Seamus Heaney along with other Ulster writers, past and present, including Patrick Kavanagh and Brian Friel. As well as poetry, we will read some plays and prose. This is intended as an introduction to enjoying these writers at a deeper level than the casual reader. No prior knowledge will be required only an enthusiasm for their work. The course will make use of the resources of the National Library.

The course will take a comparative approach, locating each writer in their own times and cultural context, while at the same time looking at the connections between them and exploring the ways in which they reponded to Irish life. We will also trace the develoment of Ulster writing from the past to the present and look at how it responded to the political social and cultural context of Ulster’s recent history. You will have the opportunity to read plays and poems by Seamus Heaney, Patrick Kavangh, Brian Friel, Michael Longley, Paul Durcan, Louis MacNiece, John Montague and others. Students will be introduced to some aspects of poetic form and dramatic technique. On completion students will be well equipped to explore these writers more deeply in their own reading and will have had their own recreational reading of poetry, drama and Irish literature enriched.

 

 

Dates Venue/Location Fee €
30 Jan 2018 to 20 Mar 2018 National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2

195.00



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8 Tuesdays                    10.30am – 1.00pm

Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20

Garrett Fagan has taught at universities in Dublin and at Warwick University in the UK. He has interests in Renaissance literature, legal - literary relations and Anglo Irish writing.

 

 This reading list indicative only and may be subject to change

Some materials will be provided in photocopy by the tutor

Selected poetry by Seamus  Heaney

Brian Friel Dancing at Lughnasa and Aristocrats

  1. Michael Longley, Derek Mahon Paul Muldoon
  2. Planters and Gaels: John Hewitt  & John Montague 
  3. Patrick Kavanagh
  4. Louis MacNeice
  • Seamus Heaney
  • Patrick Kavanagh
  • Brian Friel Dancing at Lughnasa and Aristocrats
  • Michael Longley, Derek Mahon Paul Muldoon
  • Louis MacNeice
  • Planters and Gaels: John Hewitt  & John Montague