The History of Ireland through its objects

HIsTory and EnGLIsH

This comprehension and writing activity is based on an Post’s ninth defi nitive stamp series – The History of Ireland through its objects. The students will use photographs and an extract, as a basis to write about what they think would make a good stamp suggestion in 2067 and represent life in Ireland in 2017.

activity ‑ Comprehension

Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow it.

2017 defi nitive stamps

The History of Ireland through its objects Ninth Defi nitive Stamp Series – Phase 1On 12 January, 2017, An Post introduced the ninth defi nitive stamp series - The History of Ireland through its objects. The series is based on Fintan O’Toole’s book, A History of Ireland in 100 Objects, a project which originally involved The Irish Times, The National Museum of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy. The stamps are represented in photographic format, with each of the objects opening a window into an important moment in Irish history.

Eight stamps were issued as part of the fi rst phase of this defi nitive series.

Set 1

a Mesolithic Fish Trap From Clowanstown, Co. Meath is made of interwoven sticks and dates from c.5000 BC. It was used by early Irish people to catch fi sh from lakes or weirs

a Ceremonial axehead Dating from 3600 BC, the Ceremonial Axehead from Kincraigy, Co. Donegal is an exotic import from the Italian Alps.

a neolithic BowlIt is thought that the Neolithic Bowl with burnished surfaces (c.3500 BC) from a burial at Annagh, Co. Limerick may have been used for drinking.

The Coggalbeg Gold Hoard The Coggalbeg, Co. Roscommon hoard is perhaps a set of regalia, consisting of an Early Bronze Age lunula – a crescent-shaped collar representing the moon – and two gold discs, representing the sun.

Introduction

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The History of Ireland through its objects

HIsTory and EnGLIsH

Set 2

a Flint Macehead The Flint Macehead was found in the eastern chamber beneath the great passage tomb at Knowth, Co. Meath in the Boyne Valley, and is one of the fi nest works to have survived from Neolithic Europe.

The Bronze age Funerary Urns The Bronze Age Funerary Urns (1900-1300 BC) were made to be buried with the dead.

The Broighter Boat The beautiful Broighter Boat is a miniature rendering in gold of a sailing boat complete with benches and oars that was found at Broighter, Co Derry and dates from c.100 BC. It was part of a gold hoard found on the shores of Lough Foyle, perhaps an offering to the sea god Mannanán Mac Lir.

The Tara Torcs The Tara Torcs (c.1200 BC), made of long bars of twisted gold, were found close to the Rath of the Synods on the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath.

For more information use a smartphone with the Cee App installed to scan the stamps or visit www. 100objects.ie

The stamps and fi rst day cover were designed by Zinc Design Consultants.

2017 defi nitive stamps continued

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The History of Ireland through its objects

HIsTory and EnGLIsH

Questions1. List all the objects and the materials you think they are each made from. (You will find the answer for some of the

objects in the extract above but for others you will have to deduce using your historical knowledge.)

2. Create a simple timeline sequencing all the stamps according to the historical period to which they belong, starting with the oldest object first. The Neolithic bowl is described as having burnished surfaces. Explain what is meant by ‘burnished surfaces’.

3. Where was the Coggalbeg hoard found? How do you think the items were made? Consider the tools that may have been used.

4. What purpose do you think the crescent-shaped collar and two discs in the Coggalbeg hoard served?

5. In what famous Irish passage tomb was the Flint Macehead found?

6. What is a passage tomb?

7. Write about the Broighter Boat in your own words.

8. Which historical object do you find most interesting? Why?

9. Think about an object from nowadays, which will make a good stamp suggestion in 2067 and will best represent life in Ireland in 2017 .

suggested additional activities• Class discussion

Discuss what information and structure is needed in pitching an idea for an object which is in use in 2017, on a stamp e.g. description of the object, its function, where it can be found, its significance. The teacher should record these points on the board.

• WriteStudents then write a pitch for their object. For ideas and information about how images and themes are chosen for Irish stamps check out www.anpost.ie/anpost/irishstamps/collectors+corner/stamp+programme

• Give an oral presentation of your pitch for an object which would make a good stamp suggestion in 2067 and represents life in Ireland in 2017.

• Write a description of an object, in Irish or a modern language, which would make a good stamp suggestion in 2067 and represent life in Ireland in 2017.

• organise a visit to the GPO Witness History Visitor Centre www.gpowitnesshistory.ie/visit/ Prepare questions for the visit.

• Enter the An Post Handwriting Competition. Use the writing activity above or get your students to write their own composition about an object, which would make a good stamp suggestion in 2067 and represents life in Ireland in 2017. For more information, visit www.anpostschoolbag.ie/competition

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The History of Ireland through its objects

HIsTory and EnGLIsH

History

• Develop students’ understanding of human activity in the past

• Develop students’ understanding of historical concepts

• Enable students to understand the contemporary world through the study of the past

• Enable students to use historical terms

• Develop students’ understanding of the nature and use of historical sources

• Enable students to extract information from source materials to answer historical questions

English ‑ Writing

• Develop students’ ability to read texts with fluency, understanding and competence, decoding groups of words/phrases and not just single words

• Develop students’ ability to use a wide range of reading comprehension strategies appropriate to texts: to retrieve information; to link to previous knowledge, summarise, link main ideas; to monitor their own understanding; to question, analyse, synthesise and evaluate

• Enable students to develop a sense of audience and purpose through the opportunities they have to present to and for others

• Enable students to learn to communicate by writing in a range of forms and for many purposes

• Allow students to demonstrate their understanding that there is a clear purpose for all writing activities and be able to plan, draft, re-draft, and edit their own writing as appropriate

• Write competently in a range of text forms using appropriate vocabulary, tone and a variety of styles to achieve a chosen purpose for different audiences

• Use editing skills continuously during the writing process to enhance meaning and impact

Curriculum links

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