Some Background Info and Resources for Readers of DílseI'm trying hard to make sure my story is accessible to everyone, history buff or no. I didn't want to insult anyone's intelligence with too much exposition; but on the other hand, I tend to forget that not everyone reads their old textbooks for fun. *g* So if you're interested in learning more about the time period of Dílse and the culture of its characters, here is a list of links to some (I hope) helpful information. If you have a suggestion/correction/question, please email me at berreh at gmail. This page is open to expansion. Overview Here is a modified version of the timeline Melly wrote for me last year. This is about 75% her writing and 25% my tweaking. Melly truly is the Research Goddess. I wish I'd had her around when I was doing my junior seminar. Links Some websites with more information: -- Wikipedia, one of the best quick-reference sites for any subject. -- A huge list of Irish folk songs, which can be history lessons in and of themselves. -- Foclóir Béarla, an Irish Gaelic glossary. Not very useful now, but it might be later. *g* -- A concise, if somewhat worshipful, biography of Michael Collins. Books A list like this could go on forever. Here are a few, but a quick search at Amazon will get you tons more if you're really interested. -- 1916 by Morgan Llewellyn -- A Star Called Henry, by Roddy Doyle -- Michael Collins and the Troubles, 1912-1922, by Ulik O'Connor -- The Green Flag: A History of Irish Nationalism, by Robert Kee Movies Not so much for historical information, but more to get a cultural/visual feel for the time period. -- Troubles: Love story set against the conflict during 1919. And Sean Bean is in it! Yay! -- Michael Collins: I didn't care for the movie, but it's probably the easiest to find and watch. -- Nora: Has nothing to do with the war, but it's full of good earthy Irish folks in period dress. -- Shake Hands with the Devil: I find this movie a leeeetle too pro-violence, but it's a jam-packed history lesson. Q&A If you have a question about a detail in the story that isn't covered here -- like "What the hell's a bodhrán?" or "Did they have electric kitchen lights in 1922?" -- email me and, between me and the Research Goddess, I'll try to find you an answer. I'll post the questions and answers in this space so that other people can read them too. I hope this helps, guys! It's for you, the people who are kind enough to read this story, so tell me if there's something I can do to make it as enjoyable an experience as it can be. |