History Studies: University of Limerick History Society Vol (16)

The seven contributions to History Studies Volume 16 continue the tradition of showcasing the very best of undergraduate and postgraduate talent in Ireland, and specifically, at the University of Limerick. In contrast to previous years, the narrower focus of the present volume digs deep into the nation’s history, showing a range and diversity of interest of both archival research and analytical reflection that build on the impressive record of History Studies since its inception at the University of Limerick at the end of the 1990s. As a peer reviewed journal, History Studies is entirely produced by postgraduates with a rotating editorship, and this makes it unique within the island of Ireland. Therefore it brings me enormous pleasure again to introduce History Studies, especially in this centenary year of the 1916 Rising. The present volume is a response to the celebrations with its special focus on the 1916 Rising and its legacy. As such, it is an important contribution to the History Department’s own endeavours to take part in and to shape the national and local debates. Thus three of the articles focus on separate aspects of the Rising at a national level, while three others deal with incidents and organisations that were ultimately precipitated by the immediate legacy of 1916, and are all associated with Limerick. The final contribution to the volume moves to America, thus offering an international context.