Back to search

University of Denver

A Shifting Island Landscape: Changes in Land Use and Daily Life in the 19th and 20th Century Village of Inishark, Co. Galway, Ireland

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This thesis investigates changes to village spatial arrangement and land use patterns in the nineteenth and twentieth century village of Inishark, Co. Galway, Ireland. To understand how spatial changes within the historic village were shaped by interactions between villagers and outside groups, including landlords and government agencies, a landscape approach was utilized. An examination of historic maps, valuation documents, and Irish Census documents, combined with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey and archaeological excavation, were used to understand how historical pressures impacted island life. Inishark's geographic isolation creates a unique case study to understand the impact of historical pressures on rural Irish communities during this period. Historical pressures examined were landlord and tenant relationships, the imposition of British ideals, and the shifts in economic activity and movement of people. Villagers' responses to these outside forces impacted the movement of people and their economic activities, shaping the cultural landscape of the island.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A.
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters Thesis
Year dc:date.available
2018

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Couey, Lauren Marie
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Lawrence Conyers, Ph.D.
  • Bonnie Clark
  • Elizabeth Campbell

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>
Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1529
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2529

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Denver
Base URL
digitalcommons.du.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Couey, Lauren Marie. A Shifting Island Landscape: Changes in Land Use and Daily Life in the 19th and 20th Century Village of Inishark, Co. Galway, Ireland. Masters Thesis thesis, 2018. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1529