The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of
twenti...
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This in-college, six-week-long literature course will explore the importance of the Irish short story and its huge impact on literature in general. Students will be encouraged to read set texts in advance of the class, which we will then discuss in detail together. There will be a particular focus on the social and political contexts in which the texts were written, as well as a discussion as to why the short story has occupied such a huge place in the Irish literary tradition.
What will we cover?
We will discuss some of the main themes found in the Irish short story, including politics, war, religion, and the domestic space. We will also look at how the short story develops across the twentieth century and explore why it has been such an effective form within an Irish context.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Have a general overview of the Irish short story tradition and its legacies -Understand the political and social contexts to the stories in question -Have a greater understanding of Irish politics and history in general -Discuss a number of major Irish authors with greater confidence
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The level of this course is introductory although those with some experience of studying literature will also find it valuable. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of the authors in question or Irish literature, though an interest in these topics is helpful.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a combination of short lectures, group work, and class discussion. You will be asked to read the stories under discussion in advance of the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be provided with digital copies of the stories in advance.
The tutor will provide all other materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look up other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under Culture, History and Humanities.
Richard Niland has published widely on Joseph Conrad and a range of other 19th and 20th century writers. He taught for many years at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and is interested in the various intersections of literature, culture, politics, music and film in different global contexts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-history-of-the-irish-short-story3044581The History of the Irish Short Storyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction22851177118711881228511771187<p>The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of twentieth-century Irish literature.</p>003044566The History of the Irish Short Story179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-29T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT415179179The History of the Irish Short Story143116179Richard Nilandthe-history-of-the-irish-short-story/hlt415-2526<p>The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of twentieth-century Irish literature.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-29 00:00:00<p>This in-college, six-week-long literature course will explore the importance of the Irish short story and its huge impact on literature in general. Students will be encouraged to read set texts in advance of the class, which we will then discuss in detail together. There will be a particular focus on the social and political contexts in which the texts were written, as well as a discussion as to why the short story has occupied such a huge place in the Irish literary tradition.</p><p>The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of twentieth-century Irish literature.</p><p>We will discuss some of the main themes found in the Irish short story, including politics, war, religion, and the domestic space. We will also look at how the short story develops across the twentieth century and explore why it has been such an effective form within an Irish context.</p><p>-Have a general overview of the Irish short story tradition and its legacies<br>-Understand the political and social contexts to the stories in question<br>-Have a greater understanding of Irish politics and history in general<br>-Discuss a number of major Irish authors with greater confidence</p><p>The level of this course is introductory although those with some experience of studying literature will also find it valuable. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of the authors in question or Irish literature, though an interest in these topics is helpful.</p><p>You will be taught through a combination of short lectures, group work, and class discussion. You will be asked to read the stories under discussion in advance of the class.</p><p>You will be provided with digital copies of the stories in advance.</p><p>The tutor will provide all other materials.</p><p>Look up other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under Culture, History and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual143179116HLT415NONEWed29/04/26 - 03/06/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRichard NilandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-29T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities179179The History of the Irish Short Storythe-history-of-the-irish-short-story/hlt415-2526<p>The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of twentieth-century Irish literature.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-29 00:00:00<p>This in-college, six-week-long literature course will explore the importance of the Irish short story and its huge impact on literature in general. Students will be encouraged to read set texts in advance of the class, which we will then discuss in detail together. There will be a particular focus on the social and political contexts in which the texts were written, as well as a discussion as to why the short story has occupied such a huge place in the Irish literary tradition.</p><p>The short story has come to be seen as one of Irish Literature’s most celebrated forms of expression. From the early stories of George Moore and James Joyce, to modern classics by John McGahern, William Trevor and Claire Keegan, the short story has allowed Irish writers to pick apart the complexities of Irish society in powerful, precise and poetic terms. This course will explore some of the most iconic short stories of twentieth-century Irish literature.</p><p>We will discuss some of the main themes found in the Irish short story, including politics, war, religion, and the domestic space. We will also look at how the short story develops across the twentieth century and explore why it has been such an effective form within an Irish context.</p><p>-Have a general overview of the Irish short story tradition and its legacies<br>-Understand the political and social contexts to the stories in question<br>-Have a greater understanding of Irish politics and history in general<br>-Discuss a number of major Irish authors with greater confidence</p><p>The level of this course is introductory although those with some experience of studying literature will also find it valuable. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of the authors in question or Irish literature, though an interest in these topics is helpful.</p><p>You will be taught through a combination of short lectures, group work, and class discussion. You will be asked to read the stories under discussion in advance of the class.</p><p>You will be provided with digital copies of the stories in advance.</p><p>The tutor will provide all other materials.</p><p>Look up other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under Culture, History and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
