It’s no secret that the Irish are obsessed with misery, suffering and death. Where else would a website that publishes death notices get five million hits per month, a marriage proposal begin with the words ‘Do you want to be buried with my people?’ or popular ballads extol the attractions of martyrdom?
In this fascinating talk, historian Gillian O’Brien explores our obsession with all things macabre. Why do the Irish, as Heinrich Böll once observed, love ‘the poetry of unhappiness’? Why is the funeral scene such an iconic moment in Derry Girls? And what exactly was her grandmother doing when she laid herself out as a corpse?
Gillian O’Brien is Professor of Public History at Liverpool John Moores University. Her books include The Darkness Echoing: Exploring Ireland’s Places of Famine, Death and Rebellion, Blood Runs Green: The Murder that Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago and the forthcoming The Shortest History of Dublin.
Buy tickets for each of the two talks by Gillian O’Brien; this event and Selective Memories: Ireland, Migration & Belonging for €25. Save €7. To avail of this bundle just add the tickets to your basket and the discount will automatically apply.
Book Tickets
| Wed 12 Aug, 1.00p.m. | €15/€13 | Book Now |
