Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that examines the variety and diversity of Irish history, society, cultural practice and the complex processes through which Ireland and Irish identities have been constructed.

It asks a series of provocative and stimulating questions about ideas of Ireland and Irishness, such as how can we understand the ways in which place, history, culture and society have shaped Ireland, past and present? How do processes of emigration and immigration impact on Irish culture, society and identity? What influence have identity categories such as gender, sexuality, ethnicity and class had on Irish culture, society and identities?

Joint Honours (DN520)
Students who take Irish Studies as a Joint Honours three-year degree can combine Irish Studies with 14 different subjects.

Students take core Irish Studies modules alongside designated option modules from other Arts & Humanities & Social Sciences programme subject areas, including Irish Folklore, Celtic Civilization, Archaeology, Art History, English, Geography, History, Music and Sociology.

First Year

First year modules introduce students to key areas in Irish Studies. Modules include:

• Introduction to Irish Studies
• Introduction to Irish Cultural Studies
• Folklore & the Imagination.
• Dublin: Its Museums & Collections

Second & Final Years

Modules include:

• Reading Irish Studies: Place People & Identities
• Irish Studies Readings Seminar
• Irish Literature in English
• Irish Studies Research Skills
• The Forgotten Irish
• Heritage Management
• Gender, Culture & Society
• Kings & Heroes of Early Ireland
• Yeats & the Arts
• Myth & Tradition
• Poets, Power & Performance
• Material Culture
• Music in Ireland
• Reading the Irish Revival
• Music in Ireland
• Georgian Dublin
• Irish Foreign Policy, 1919-73

Third Year

Students attend lectures and seminars each week, as well as engaging in active learning in museums, archives and cultural sites both on and off campus.

Assessment is through a combination of written examinations and continuous assessment, including essays, portfolios, online tasks, presentations and independent research projects. Students who take Irish Studies as a Humanities subject can apply for an internship and/or study abroad.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

Exchange opportunities available to third year students have included:

• Edinburgh University, UK
• Glasgow University, UK
• University of Toronto, Canada
• University of Otago, New Zealand
• Concordia University, Canada

Irish Studies is a growing discipline building on other possible international study opportunities in the US, Canada, UK, China, Australia, Europe and South Africa.

Irish Studies graduates develop key skills such as research, critical thinking and writing, that have diverse applications and can lead to employment opportunities in: Journalism and the Media, Tourism, Heritage, Advertising, Business, the Arts, Public Relations, Public Service and Politics.

Graduates are prepared to pursue MA and Diploma courses offered by the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies & Folklore including the MA Irish Studies and the MA Irish Folklore & Ethnology. Graduates may also pursue MLitt and PhD studies specialising in one of the many areas of the subject.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
  
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
  
• HEAR Entry Route
  
• University Access
  

UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies & Folklore
Newman,
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 8385
Email: bairbre.nichonchuir@ucd.ie