A Shamrock of Irish Patriots
Description
The shamrock is famous for St. Patrick’s theologico-metaphorical use of its three leaves. This single-session class will introduce, or better acquaint us with, a “shamrock” of three indispensable Irish patriots. All three are historically important and two, personally tragic. We’ll meet Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847), the Great Emancipator of Ireland’s Catholics from England’s religious persecution, whose statue towers above Dublin’s main thoroughfare and whose name adorns it; Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763-1798), who turned to armed rebellion and preferred slashing his own throat to having it stretched by His Britannic Majesty’s noose; and Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891), the gifted statesman whose brilliant Parliamentary leadership on the issue of Irish Home Rule came clattering down because he loved (another man’s wife) not wisely but too well. Our three subjects play vital roles in the turbulent drama of Irish history. And if you’re planning a trip to Ireland in the near future and expect to stop in an Irish pub or two, you may find the friendly locals asking you to propose a toast. You couldn’t do better than to raise your glass to the immortal O’Connell, Tone, and Parnell.
Instructor Biography
Peter Baylor is offering his fifth course. He is, among other things, a septuagenarian husband, father, grandfather, friend, sibling, veteran, son (forever grateful to his parents), retired lawyer and working tour guide. Peter borrowed this line from a college professor: “I do not propose to teach you anything; I am trying to share an enthusiasm. OK?”