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For the past few years Roddy Doyle has been writing stories for “Metro Eireann”, a newspaper started by, and aimed at, immigrants to Ireland. Each of the stories takes a new slant on the immigrant experience, something of increasing relevance in today's Ireland. The stories range from Guess Who's Coming to the Dinner, where a father who prides himself on his open-mindedness when his daughters talk about sex, is forced to confront his feelings when one of them brings home a black fella, to a terrifying ghost story, The Pram, in which a Polish nanny grows impatient with her charge’s older sisters and decides — in a phrase she has learnt — to ‘scare them shitless’. Most of the stories are very funny — in 57 percent Irish Ray Brady tries to devise a test of Irishness by measuring reactions to Robbie Keane’s goal against Germany in the 2002 World Cup, Riverdance and ‘Danny Boy’ — others are deeply moving. And best of all, in the title story itself, Jimmy Rabbitte, the man who formed The Commitments, decides it's time to find a new band, and this time no White Irish need apply! Multicultural to a fault, The Deportees specialise not in soul music this time, but the songs of Woody Guthrie. Author: Roddy Doyle. (242 pages)
Level: For use from 10.kl./beginning of the gymnasium

Revised 2008 edition.

Revised 2008 edition.

A really good source of material about the conflict in Northern Ireland and its background — presented in a large-format attractive form with hundreds of photos, cartoons, tables, boxes with “sources” etc. It includes a survey of aspects of Irish history from the 16th century and and a more detailed examination of the development of the partitioned Northern Ireland from 1922 to October 2001. Pick out a chapter to study with your students or use the whole book to give them a complete picture of the situation.
Contents: Chapter 1: Get Your bearings — Chapter 2: Does Irish history make conflict inevitable? — Chapter 3: Why was Northern Ireland created in 1922? — Chapter 4: How peaceful was Northern Ireland in 1922-68? — Chapter 5: Why did conflict break out in Northern Ireland in 1968-71? — Chapter 6: Why did attempts at peace fail in 1971-93? — Chapter 7: What made the Good Friday Agreement possible? — Chapter 8: Looking forward: peace at last?
Level: B/C/Linjefag/Library/Depot

This is the screenplay of Ken Loach's moving film:
Ireland 1920. Workers from field and town unite to form guerrilla armies to face the ruthless ‘Black and Tans’ shipped from Britain to block Ireland’s bid for independence. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his country, Damien abandons his career as a doctor and joins his brother Teddy in a dangerous and violent fight for freedom. As the freedom fighters’ bold tactics bring the British to breaking point, both sides finally agree to a Treaty to end the bloodshed. But despite the apparent victory, civil war erupts, and families who fought side by side find themselves pitted against one another as sworn enemies, putting their loyalties to the ultimate test. In addition to the screenplay, this edition contains a number of essays and notes on the film and the Irish struggle for independence. (162 pages)
Author: Paul Laverty. Paul Laverty has written a number of other screenplays directed by Ken Loach including: ‘My Name Is Joe’ (1998), ‘Bread and Roses’ (2000), and ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ (2004).
Contents: Introduction — Director’s Note — Producer’s Note — Screenwriter’s Note — Production Notes — Cast Notes — Film Credits — The Irish Revolution — Synopsis — Screenplay — Film Stills (8-page section) — Ken Loach: Film-maker — Irish History on Screen
Level: B/Interdisciplinary possibilities with History