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17th of March is Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Lá Fhéile Pádraig). The day is a cultural and religious celebration that marks the death date of patron saint of Ireland (c. AD 385–461).
While Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish festival, it is recognised in more countries than any other national festival. It has even been celebrated in space by astronauts on board the International Space Station.
We're honoring St. Patrick's Day and the culture and heritage of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by bringing together all our fantastic free learning resources on Ireland.
Explore the history of Ireland
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The Life of Saint Patrick
Who was Saint Patrick? This extract from Alban Butler's 18th Century work on the lives of the saints tells the story of Ireland's patron saint.
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to access more details of The Life of Saint Patrick
Level: 1 Introductory
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Happy Saint Brigid's Day
When is Saint Brigid's day? Who was Saint Brigid? And how big is this day's significance? Find out more from our related resources.
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to access more details of Happy Saint Brigid's Day
Level: 1 Introductory
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Coming to America: The Making of the Irish-American Diaspora
Why did the Irish emigrate to America in such vast numbers for over three centuries? What was their experience in America? What impact did they make on American life?
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to access more details of Coming to America: The Making of the Irish-American Diaspora
Level: 1 Introductory
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Wholly Trinity: Abortion, Art and Activism in Ireland
"…art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation." (Angela Davis).This short film, produced collaboratively by The Open University, Alliance for Choice ...
Watch now
to access more details of Wholly Trinity: Abortion, Art and Activism in Ireland
Level: 1 Introductory
Explore the history of Ireland
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The Life of Saint Patrick
Read now to access more details of The Life of Saint PatrickWho was Saint Patrick? This extract from Alban Butler's 18th Century work on the lives of the saints tells the story of Ireland's patron saint.
Level: 1 Introductory
-
Happy Saint Brigid's Day
Read now to access more details of Happy Saint Brigid's DayWhen is Saint Brigid's day? Who was Saint Brigid? And how big is this day's significance? Find out more from our related resources.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Coming to America: The Making of the Irish-American Diaspora
Read now to access more details of Coming to America: The Making of the Irish-American DiasporaWhy did the Irish emigrate to America in such vast numbers for over three centuries? What was their experience in America? What impact did they make on American life?
Level: 1 Introductory
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Wholly Trinity: Abortion, Art and Activism in Ireland
Watch now to access more details of Wholly Trinity: Abortion, Art and Activism in Ireland"…art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation." (Angela Davis).This short film, produced collaboratively by The Open University, Alliance for Choice ...
Level: 1 Introductory
Explore the culture and literature of Ireland
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Irish Women’s Poetry
Read now to access more details of Irish Women’s PoetryHow has Irish women’s poetry changed in the twenty-first century? Learn about some of the key figures in Irish women’s poetry in this collection.
Level: 1 Introductory
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A reader's guide to Ulysses
Read now to access more details of A reader's guide to UlyssesWhen is Bloomsday? Where does Bloomsday start? Celebrate the iconic novel, and the city it's set in, with OpenLearn's interactive map.
Level: 1 Introductory
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What is poetry?
Learn more to access more details of What is poetry?Have you always wanted to try to write poetry but never quite managed to start? This free course, What is poetry?, is designed to illustrate the techniques behind both the traditional forms of poetry and free verse. You will learn how you can use your own experiences to develop ideas and how to harness your imagination.
Level: 1 Introductory
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“Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth”: why Good Friday Agreement affects the Irish language
Read now to access more details of “Pobal Teanga Faoi Bhláth”: why Good Friday Agreement affects the Irish languageWhy has The Good Friday Agreement left a mark on the Irish language? Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh traces the language’s history and recent revival.
Level: 1 Introductory
Explore Ireland's cities and future
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20 things you might not know about Belfast
Read now to access more details of 20 things you might not know about BelfastBelfast is a fascinating place. Here are some facts about the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland...
Level: 1 Introductory
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The Good Friday Agreement: 25 Years On
Learn more to access more details of The Good Friday Agreement: 25 Years OnA Peace Of Us is a podcast series featuring voices beyond the political institutions exploring the impact the Good Friday Agreement had on the arts, sports, communities and the lives of people in Northern Ireland. Alongside this podcast, you will find a series of guest essays, local music, art and more.
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The Belfast linen industry
Read now to access more details of The Belfast linen industryA trip to the tailors reveals the true fabric of Belfast history.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Change in the West of Ireland
Read now to access more details of Change in the West of IrelandIntroducing a collection of articles asking 'How can unique and distinctive regions, like the West of Ireland, retain the qualities that make them unique while continuing to modernise and interact with the wider world?'
Discover more with OpenLearn Ireland
OpenLearn Ireland is a section of the OpenLearn website that offers free learning content from The Open University for all who are interested in Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland and the culture, developments and events on the island. Select OpenLearn Ireland to find out more.
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