Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that examines the variety and diversity of Irish history, society, language, literature and cultural practice, analysing the complex processes through which Ireland and Irish identities have been constructed. It asks a series of provocative and stimulating questions such as how meaningful national identity is in an age of globalisation, and how processes of emigration and immigration impact on Irish culture, society and identity. By exploring literary texts in manuscript and print culture, language origins and development, media and film, celtic civilization, folklore, archaeology, history, sociology, and art history, students will understand the evolution of the Irish historical and cultural heritage in a national and global context.

The programme is aimed at national and international students with an interest in literary origins and contemporary literature and media, film and popular tradition, the arts and Irish heritage in a global context. It is very suitable for those who wish to develop a career or further studies in these areas.

Our aim is to extend and enhance the understanding of Ireland, Irishness, including its Celtic  roots and associations in a historical and contemporary context. Students participate in fieldwork and are made aware of archival sources as part of their learning. Teaching is carried out in lectures, in small-group tutorials, and in seminar-style participatory classes. Public seminars and lectures also form an integral part of course provision. Assessments take the form of written examinations, MCQ’s, individual research projects, journal-keeping, in-semester essays and oral presentations. 

1 - Ability to use research skills to identify areas of cultural and historical heritage in national and international contexts
2 - Ability to critically evaluate and analyse relevant archival and contemporary sources in Irish literature, history and culture
3 - Able to articulate the ways in which the present is influenced by the past in the context of Ireland’s history, culture and heritage in national and international contexts
4 - Ability to critically analyse Irish and English language texts and literature as an integral part of Irish society past and present in national and global contexts
5 - Demonstrate knowledge of the cultures of the Celtic and Irish speaking peoples across a wide chronological span
6 - Engage with research methods and utilise sources in the study of literature, language, history and culture in the context of Irish Studies
7 - Demonstrate effective communication skills with appropriate use of subject-specific terminology

A degree in Irish Folklore is of relevance to anyone interested in popular culture, tradition and society, and their interconnections. It provides an excellent basis for careers in:

Heritage related organisations

The media

Teaching

Areas related to Irish studies & ethnic studies.

You can also pursue MLitt and PhD graduate studies in Irish Folklore in UCD, specialising in one of the many areas of the subject

Students take both core modules and three option modules.
Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options, or if there are any difficulties registering for modules.

Students must select both core modules and 15 credits of option modules.
Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options or if there are any difficulties registering for modules.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
IRST20010	Place, People & Identities	Autumn	5
IRST20060	Reading Irish Studies	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN3OF: Students should select three option modules at Stage 2. Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options or if there are any difficulties registering for modules. Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
CCIV20020	The Fortunes of the Celtic Languages	Autumn	5
CCIV20130	Kings and Heroes of Early Ireland	Autumn	5
DRAM20110	Contemporary Ireland On Stage	Autumn	5
ECON20060	Irish Economy: Policy Making in a Global Context	Autumn	5
IR20180	Teanga na Gaeilge II A	Autumn	5
IR20210	Litríocht na Gaeilge - 1650	Autumn	5
IR20220	Bláthú na Nuafhilíochta	Autumn	5
IRFL20010	The Study of Folklore: Origins and Development	Autumn	5
IRFL20030	The Narrative Art	Autumn	5
AH20300	Medieval Art and Architecture: characteristics and influences	Spring	5
CCIV20070	Poets, Power and Performance	Spring	5
CCIV20120	Law & Society in Early Ireland	Spring	5
ENG20440	Reading the story of Ireland: Irish Literature in English	Spring	5
FS20140	Irish Cinema & TV	Spring	5
HIS21120	Northern Ireland, 1920-2010: from partition to Paisley	Spring	5
IR20010	Teanga na Gaeilge II B (Irish language II B)	Spring	5
IR20050	Iriseoireacht na Gaeilge (Journalism in Irish)	Spring	5
IR20240	An Ghaeilge ar an Scáileán	Spring	5
IRFL20050	Healers and Healing	Spring	5
IRFL20090	Folklife & Ethnology	Spring	5
IRFL20100	Oral history and tradition	Spring	5
MUS20030	Studies in Irish Music	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN3OF: Students should select three option modules at Stage 2. Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options or if there are any difficulties registering for modules. Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
Stage 3 Core Modules
IRST30210	Irish Studies Research Skills	Autumn	5
IRST30140	The Forgotten Irish	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN15CR: Students should select 15 credit of option modules. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives. Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options or if there are any difficulties registering for modules.
AMST30060	Ireland & the US	Autumn	5
CCIV30070	Introduction to Early Irish 1	Autumn	5
CCIV30110	Early Irish Myths & Sagas	Autumn	5
ENG32000	Contemp. Irish Women's Poetry	Autumn	10
ENG32510	Writing Dublin	Autumn	5
IR30370	Gaeilge na hAlban	Autumn	5
IR30400	Teanga na Gaeilge III A	Autumn	5
IRFL30030	The Life Cycle	Autumn	5
IRFL30090	Collectors of Song and Music	Autumn	5
SPOL38210	Migration, Racism and Irish Society	Autumn	5
AH20300	Medieval Art and Architecture: characteristics and influences	Spring	5
CCIV30100	Introduction to Early Irish 2	Spring	5
EMIR30130	Literacy & Learning Early Irl	Spring	5
ENG32130	Irish Gothic	Spring	10
GEOG30020	Historical Geography of Ireland	Spring	5
HIS31760	Irish Foreign Policy, 1919-73: A Place Among the Nations	Spring	10
HIS32460	Conquering Ireland, 1579-1691	Spring	5
IR30030	Teanga na Gaeilge III B (Irish language III B)	Spring	5
IR30090	Teangeolaíocht na Gaeilge: anailís ar an teanga féin	Spring	5
IR30100	Scéalta Rómánsacha 1300-1800	Spring	5
IR30220	Athbheochan na Gaeilge	Spring	5
IRFL30020	Calendar Custom	Spring	5
IRFL30100	Popular religion and belief	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN15CR: Students should select 15 credit of option modules. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives. Students should contact the School Administrator for advice on choosing options or if there are any difficulties registering for modules.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHACS001	Stage 3 - 50.00% Stage 2 - 50.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47
BHACS023	Stage 3 - 70.00% Stage 2 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47
BHACS027	Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% Stage 2 - 20.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47