SMCE4005 W25 – From Gaelic Fields to Contemporary Fiction: Irish Sport, Arts and Language

Immerse Yourself in Irish Culture

• 5 weeks 
• Tuesdays, January 14 – February 11, 2025 
• Online via Zoom 
• Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• $339 (includes HST) 

This five-week virtual course provides an introductory exploration of the culture, sport, language, and literature of Ireland. Delve into the role of nationalism and amateurism in shaping the Gaelic Athletic Association (including special visits from GAA players), experience the significance of traditional Irish music, and uncover the history of the Irish language and modern revival efforts. Learners will explore the work of acclaimed author Sally Rooney, discovering how her writing reflects Ireland’s evolving cultural identity. 

Learning Outcomes 

In this course, learners will:  

Explore the historical and cultural evolution of Ireland through traditions in sport, arts, and language

Draw connections between culture and national identity, and how each impacts the other 

Investigate tradition and modernity in Irish culture, and the contemporary influence of Irish history on life in contemporary Ireland 

Session Descriptions 

Week 1 – Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6–8 p.m. – The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and nationalism. This class will focus on how nationalism played a fundamental role in the initial success of the GAA, and how that role has progressed since the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, right up until the 100th anniversary and commemoration of Bloody Sunday in November 2020.

Week 2 – Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 6–8 p.m. – The GAA and amateurism. This class will focus on how amateurism was essential to the establishment and initial popularity of the GAA. It will also question the legitimacy of amateurism in the modern GAA. Current GAA intercounty players will be invited to share their experiences and opinions in these classes.

See Pa Sheehan on Breakfast Television discussing Hurling here!  

Week 3 – Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6–8 p.m. – Traditional Irish music. This class will explore the creation of Comhaltas, and how it contributed to the prominent role Irish traditional music plays in defining Irish culture today, especially in a postcolonial Ireland.

Week 4 – Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6–8 p.m. – History and sociolinguistics of the Irish language. This class will investigate the language shift that took place in Ireland from Irish to English over a number of centuries. We will explore how Irish is used today in Ireland, the efforts being made to reverse language shift, and what the future may hold for the language.

Week 5 – Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6–8 p.m. – The contemporary Irish novel. This class will explore some of the most acclaimed contemporary Irish novels. We will appraise their ability to reflect the culture of Ireland today.

About the Instructor 

Pa Sheehan is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Celtic Studies program at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. Pa holds a Professional Master’s in Education from the University of Limerick, which focused on the teaching of both Irish and French. Pa is in his fifth year teaching in the Celtic Studies program at St. Mike’s. He previously spent two years teaching Irish at the University of Montana and at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Born in the beautiful west of Ireland, Pa’s work assuages any feelings of homesickness he may encounter. He has taught courses on Irish language, literature, traditional music, mythology, minority language media, and sport. Pa’s classroom tends to be a loud place where students are encouraged to engage in discussion and debate.