HISTORY
Roger Casement in Life and Death
TERM 3: FOCUS ON HN375
Monday
Ciara Meehan and Mike O'Donnell
In 1937 Eamon de Valera told the Dáil that ‘Sir Roger Casement’s reputation is safe in the affections of the Irish people’. However, Casement’s legacy has been a contested one. His humanitarian work, for which he was knighted by the British Crown, has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the authenticity of the homosexual black diaries. Once considered the work of a Special Branch forger, designed to discredit and prevent Casement from entering martyrdom with the men of 1916, handwriting analysis has concluded the diaries to be authentic. Some remain unconvinced. This course explores the representation of Casement’s legacy in history, art and literature.
Casement continues to attract attention, as shown by the extensive collection of published titles – both fact and fiction – and documentaries made about his life. Most recently, artist Mike O’Donnell held an exhibition of sketches chronicling the final stages of Casement’s life. This course will offer a deeper understanding of Roger Casement in life and death through an analysis of primary source documents – including extracts from his diaries and his trial for treason, and contemporary newspaper reports – and by examining how he has been represented in art and literature. There will be plenty of scope for discussion and debate.
| BELFIELD | ||
| 6 Mondays |
April 15, 22, 29, May 13, 20, 27 (No Class May 6) |
7.30pm - 9.30pm |
| FEE:€115 | Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment | |
Tutor Bio:
Ciara Meehan is a lecturer in history at the UCD Quinn School. She teaches and publishes on aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century Ireland, and is the author of The Cosgrave Party: a history of Cumann na nGaedheal (RIA, 2010). She is also the co-editor of ‘History and Policy’ at HistoryHub.ie.
Mike O’Donnell is a court artist in the Criminal Courts of Justice with a special interest in the Central Criminal Court. He has also worked as a political cartoonist for two national newspapers. A specialist in rapid sketching, his work has been exhibited most recently in the Bar Council of Ireland and in Listowel, Co. Kerry. The latter entitled 'The Stations of Roger Casement' depicted the final days of Casement. He is currently writing a play which tells this story.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered:
- Casement in life and death: constructing a legacy
- Contemporary accounts
- Political legacy
- Representations in art
- Representations in literature (novels, plays, ballads, etc
Who is the course for?
The course will have a broad appeal, and should attract those with an interest in twentieth century Irish history, art and literature. No previous knowledge of Roger Casement is necessary to undertake the course.
Reading List:
The following is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content. We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests.
Daly, Mary E. (ed.), Roger Casement in Irish and world history (Dublin, 2005).
Jaeger, Elizabeth, ‘Roger Casement: how effective was the British government’s smear campaign exposing the homosexual “black diaries”?’, Éire-Ireland, 46: 3&4 (fall/winter, 2011).
McDiarmaid, Lucy, ‘The afterlife of Roger Casement: memory, folklore, ghosts, 1916’, in Lucy McDiarmaid, The Irish art of controversy (Dublin, 2005).
Sawyer, Roger, Roger Casement’s diaries: 1910: the black and white (London, 1997).
Vargas Llosa, Mario, The dream of the Celt (Faber and Faber, 2012).
An extended book list, readings and documents will be made available on a specially-dedicated module website.
