The 1641 Depositions and the History Classroom

Abstract

Eamon Darcy, author of The Irish rebellion of 1641 and the wars of the three kingdoms (2013), in 2009 organised an exhibition in Trinity College, Dublin of materials, notably the 1641 depositions, concerning the 1641 rebellion. In this chapter, he discusses a schools project in Northern Ireland, which uses materials featured in the exhibition and in the depositions more generally (the originals of which are in Trinity College Library, and have recently been digitised). By introducing pupils to such historical materials, it is hoped that they will develop a stronger understanding of the various issues at stake in the rebellion for both sides, and, by extension, a better grasp of modern community divisions. The chapter highlights how pupils are encouraged to consider the propaganda uses of the material (by both Protestants and Catholics), which may enable them to stand back and assess these records much as modern historians do. Although the results of the project are still being processed, it is hoped that it will contribute to a greater mutual understanding of the past among the main denominations in Northern Ireland.