First published in 1973 Professor Akenson’s book traces the series of religious and political controversies which have battered the state schools of Northern Ireland. After the government’s admirably intentioned, but muddled, attempt to create a non-sectarian school system in the early 1920s, the educational system was progressively manipulated by sectarianism. The way in which the author describes how children are schooled reveals a great deal about the attitudes and values of the parental generation and also helps to explain the actions of later generations.

The 1921 partition of Ireland had huge ramifications for almost all aspects of Irish life and was directly responsible for hundreds of deaths and injuries, with thousands displaced from their homes and many more forced from their jobs. Two new justice systems were created; the effects on the major religions were profound, with both jurisdictions adopting wholly different approaches; and major disruptions were caused in crossing the border, with invasive checks and stops becoming the norm. And yet, many bodies remained administered on an all-Ireland basis. The major religions remained all-Ireland bodies. Most trade unions maintained a 32-county presence, as did most sports, trade bodies, charities and other voluntary groups. Politically, however, the new jurisdictions moved further and further apart, while socially and culturally there were differences as well as links between north and south that remain to this day. Very little has been written on the actual effects of partition, the-day-to-day implications, and the complex ways that society, north and south, was truly and meaningfully affected. Birth of the Border: The Impact of Partition in Ireland is the most comprehensive account to date on the far-reaching effects of the partitioning of Ireland.

This title has received an Imprimatur and has been endorsed by the Catholic Education Service for the new RED Encourage students to engage with Catholic Religious Education at Key Stage 3 and enable them to understand, discern and respond to key concepts and ideas. This accessible Student Book has been written by experienced teachers and diocesan advisors to support the new Religious Education Directory (RED). - Easily deliver engaging lessons with in-depth content and ready-made tasks for each branch of learning within the new curriculum - Teach with confidence, whatever your level of expertise, with comprehensive and reliable guidance to support both specialists and non-specialists - Build students' knowledge with clear content coverage, including topic overviews, annotated extracts from scripture and clear explanations of key terms - Deepen understanding and help students to engage critically with the content by working through the 'Understand', 'Discern' and 'Respond' tasks throughout - Consolidate previous learning with links between topics highlighted to encourage students to revisit and recap what they have already covered