Irish Children''s Literature

This course examines a broad range of Irish children?s literature, looking at texts that engage directly with aspects of Irish identity as well as books by Irish authors that do not directly represent ideas of Irishness. Students will be introduced to a series of subject areas including myth and folklore, islands and communities, history, sexuality, Northern Ireland, and memory. Texts will cover a range of genres such as fantasy, picture books, and Young Adult fiction. These discussions of primary texts (predominantly from the 20th and 21st centuries) are positioned within the context of broader debates of children?s literature studies and will incorporate theoretical approaches specific to the study of children?s literature. Students will develop a broad understanding of key issues in a range of Irish children?s literature.

Students will also be given the opportunity to explore books from Trinity?s Pollard Collection of Children?s Books. The Pollard Collection of Children?s Books, a generous bequest to the Trinity College Library from Mary ('Paul') Pollard (1922-2005), is a collection of over 10,000 books covering the period from the late seventeenth century to the early twentieth century. The collection features many books of Irish interest, and includes moral tales and tracts, learner readers, chapbooks, nineteenth-century annuals and magazines.