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Irish Studies

BA (NFQ Level 8)
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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?

About This Course

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
  • Collectors of Song & Music
  • Poets, Power & Performance
  • Material Culture
  • Music in Ireland
  • Reading the Irish Revival
  • Music in Ireland
  • Georgian Dublin
  • Irish Foreign Policy, 1919-73

Students attend lectures and seminars each week, as well as engage 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.

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.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IRST10010 Introduction to Irish Studies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IRST10020 Introduction to Irish Cultural Studies Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 AH10070 Dublin: Its Museums and Collections Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 CCIV10010 Introduction to Celtic Civilization Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 CCIV10040 Vikings in the Celtic World Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 EMIR10010 Introduction to Early Irish I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 IRFL10010 Introduction to Folklore Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 IR10050 Irish for Beginners/Gaeilge do Thosaitheoirí Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 MUS10240 Music in Ireland Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 CCIV10020 Early Ireland: Continuity & Change Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 CCIV10030 The British Celts Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Options A: Culture and Identity
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options C (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may take an additional option modules in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 IRFL10040 Ethnography of the Everyday Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Options C: History and Heritage

Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students can choose an additional option module in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 GEOG10130 Geography Matters Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Options C: History and Heritage

Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students can choose an additional option module in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 SPOL10180 History of Irish Social Policy Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Options C: History and Heritage

Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students can choose an additional option module in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 ARCH10050 Intro archaeology of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Options C: History and Heritage

Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students can choose an additional option module in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 HIS10310 Ireland's English Centuries Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Options C: History and Heritage

Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture and Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options D (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students can choose an additional option module in place of their Spring elective, if they wish.
 HIS10320 The Making of Modern Ireland, 1800-2000 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 1 of:
Options D: Literature
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)
 ENG10130 Contemporary Irish Writing Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 1 of:
Options D: Literature
Choose a total of 9 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)
 IR10210 Cultúr na hÓige Gaelaí Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 IRST20010 Place, People & Identities Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 IRST20060 Reading Irish Studies Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 CCIV20020 The Fortunes of the Celtic Languages Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 CCIV20130 Kings and Heroes of Early Ireland Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 ECON20060 Irish Economy: Policy Making in a Global Context Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IRFL20010 The Study of Folklore: Origins and Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 AH20300 Medieval Art and Architecture: characteristics and influences Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 CCIV20120 Law & Society in Early Ireland Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 FS20140 Irish Cinema & TV Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IRFL20050 Healers and Healing Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IRFL20090 Folklife & Ethnology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 MUS20030 Studies in Irish Music Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 HIS21180 Landscapes Remade: People and Place in Ireland, 1500-1800 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 HIS21240 Celts, Romans and Vikings: The Formation of Early Ireland Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 HIS21120 Northern Ireland, 1920-2010: from partition to Paisley Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IRFL20100 Oral history and tradition Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 DRAM20110 Contemporary Ireland On Stage Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IR20220 Bláthú na Nuafhilíochta Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IRFL20030 The Narrative Art Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 CCIV20070 Poets, Power and Performance Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 ENG20440 Reading the story of Ireland: Irish Literature in English Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 1 of:
Choose a total of 8 modules across Options A (Culture an Identity), Options B (History and Heritage) and Options C (Literature). You must choose at least one module from each group.
All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in spring (Trimester 2)

Students may choose additional option modules in place of electives, if they wish.
 IR20240 An Ghaeilge ar an Scáileán Spring  5

“Choosing Irish Studies was one of the best decisions I have made in UCD. The core lectures encourage students to apply critical analysis to what makes Ireland the country it is today. In addition, through the range of option modules, I have also gained a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of Irish culture, history and society. I highly recommend choosing Irish Studies as a subject stream in UCD.”

Declan Nugent, Student

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Irish Studies:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
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Irish Studies
Bachelor of Arts		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN530
Irish Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
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