As college students, we began this process interested in comparing different wars and rebellions to the Easter Rising. We soon found that one of the most engrossing comparisons came from looking at the American Civil War. We felt that there were more direct parallels between the Rising and the Civil War than, for example, the Rising and the American Revolution. We also felt it would be more interesting to compare fights with different causes, as opposed to two fights for political independence. We picked our topics-physical spaces, reenactments, and artwork-because they were all material forms of commemoration that could be applied to both American and Irish history. We felt focusing all forms of commemoration would be too broad and too ambiguous, and in only emphasizing the material side of this, we are able to make deeper connections and better understand the culture of both Ireland and America. We wanted to learn more about how commemoration plays a role in historical memory, and how each country memorializes their pasts uniquely.
Both of these events are somewhat controversial and remembered differently depending on who you ask and where they’re from. It is clear there are many forms of commemoration, each revealing fascinating and distinct facts about their respective countries and culture. Throughout the website, you will see the varying ways that Irish and American commemoration is similar, and how it is different. Looking at each event individually helps shed light onto the other, and opens our eyes to new findings. In exploring these pages, you will get a glimpse into the history and culture of both the American Civil War and the Easter Rising and better understand why these events remain so significant.