Ireland was England’s oldest colony. How then did the English empire function in early modern Ireland, and how did this change over time? What did access to European empires mean for people living in Ireland? This lecture answers these questions by interrogating four interconnected themes. First, that Ireland formed an integral part of the English imperial system. Second, that the Irish operated as agents of empire(s). Third, Ireland served as laboratory in and for the English empire. Finally, it examines the impact that empire(s) had on people living in early modern Ireland.

Whilst the book focuses on Ireland’s place in the English empire, the Irish were trans-imperial and engaged with all of the early modern imperial powers. Making Empires therefore explores connections and comparisons with other European imperial powers, placing the Irish colonial experience in a global context.

Jane  Ohlmeyer, MRIA, FTCD, FRHistS, is Erasmus Smith Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, where she served as Trinity's first Vice-President for Global Relations (2011-14). She is the author or editor of numerous articles and 11 books, and she is currently working on a 4-part documentary called 'From that Small Island: the story of the Irish.' 

This lecture is free and open to the public.