History in Irish Historical Fiction for Children and Young Adults

Historical fiction, whether for young or adult readers, enjoys immense popularity in Ireland. History itself has been subject to ongoing cultural, political and historiographical debate in a rapidly changing Irish society. This interdisciplinary study examines the fervent discussion and explores how fictional texts introduce their young audience to controversial historical events. focuses on contemporary fiction that deals with two major events in Irish history – the Great Irish Famine (1845-49) and the Easter Rising of 1916. It covers a wide variety of novels, including works by Marita Conlon-McKenna, Morgan Llywelyn, Elizabeth Lutzeier, Michael Morpurgo, Siobhán Parkinson, and Gerard Whelan.