Funding of €144,000 announced by the Irish Research Council for 1916-themed projects

The Irish Research Council has announced over €144,000 in funding for 1916-themed research projects. Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Chair of the Council, announced details of the projects today.

In total, 17 projects from higher education institutions nationwide are receiving €144,210. They include:

• A UCD project exploring how the nuns and school-girls at Loreto Convent on St. Stephen’s Green were sequestered in the convent during the 1916 Rising. The funding received from the Irish Research Council will create an open-access digital repository and online exhibition exploring their experiences.
• A project at NUI Maynooth, which will develop digital tools to engage the public in the history of the Battle of Mount Street Bridge. The tools developed will include an augmented-reality audiovisual recreation of the battlefield for tablet computers and smartphones, and will allow members of the public to interact with 3D-printed buildings of the battlefield.
• A symposium and exhibition on the topic of hunger striking, which will be organised by researchers at the University of Limerick, in collaboration with Kilmainham Gaol, Kerry County Museum and Kerry County Library Services.
• A project exploring how Moore Street’s historical significance impacts on urban redevelopment plans, entrepreneurial agendas and trader livelihoods.
• ‘INCLUSIVE16’, an NUI Galway project aimed at engaging new Irish communities in the national dialogue about 1916.

An augmented-reality mobile walking tour app, commemorating the role women played in the 1916 Rising.

At the funding announcement today, Professor Ohlmeyer said: ‘The Irish Research Council is marking the Decade of Centenaries by supporting flagship research projects that focus on the period 1912-1922, including 1916.

“This funding will support projects focusing on topics ranging from hunger strikes and the Battle of Mount Street Bridge to how nuns and schoolgirls fared during 1916 and how Moore Street’s historical significance has impacted on regeneration plans.

“The diversity of the research topics is reflective of the full complexity of our history, and demonstrates that academic discourse and research are vital to all acts of national commemoration.

“A significant national, historic event like the Decade of Centenaries really highlights the important work being done by researchers throughout Ireland. The research projects announced today are throwing up fascinating insights into the lives of 1916 leaders, as well as ordinary people. They are also exploring how the legacy of 1916 has impacted on the Ireland we live in today.”

1916 Events

In addition to funding 1916-themed projects, the Irish Research Council is supporting a number of forthcoming events that focus on 1916. Later this week (22-24 April), DIT Conservatory of Music will host a conference on ‘Music in Ireland: 1916 and Beyond’, which has been supported by the Council. In June, meanwhile, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer will give the opening address at a major global conference on 1916, taking place at NUI Galway.