An Irish schoolteacher has created a brilliant YouTube video explaining the history of Ireland in just six minutes.
John D Ruddy, of Co Donegal, is the creative force behind the film, which makes learning both fun and engaging for children and also adults.
The video is one of a series of educational films on history. Ruddy has also created videos teaching about the American War of Independence, the French Revolution and the Cuban Missile Crisis. His video on World War One has been viewed more than a million times.
All videos feature Manny Mann, the animated character that morphs from one historical figure to another as the stories are told.
The History of Ireland covers the major events that have taken place on the island from start to finish.
Ireland has a complicated and deep history that even the most knowledgeable historians can struggle to explain in simple terms.
However, Ruddy’s video does seem to do it.
It begins with the construction of ancient monuments like Newgrange. It then covers St Patrick and the arrival of Christianity, the Viking invasion, the Norman invasion, Oliver Cromwell, the Famine, the Easter Rising, Michael Collins, the independent Republic and the Troubles in Northern Ireland – all in six minutes!
Ruddy describes himself as an artist, actor and an educator on his YouTube page.
His video will be shown at a FÉILTE 2015 (The Irish Teaching Council) exhibition later this year.
Take a look for yourself.
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