Irish Studies

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?

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

Students take core Irish Studies modules, alongside option modules from other Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences subject areas, including Irish, Folklore, Celtic Civilisation, 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 • Introduction to Folklore • Dublin: Its Museums & Collections

Second & Final Year

Reading Irish Studies • Place, People & Identities • 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 • Material Culture • Poets, Power & Performance • 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.

Exchange opportunities available to third year students include: • Edinburgh University, UK • Glasgow University, UK • University of Toronto, Canada • University of Otago, New Zealand • Concordia University, Canada

Irish Studies is a growing discipline, offering 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 and Folklore
p. +353 1 716 8385
e. bairbre.nichonchuir@ucd.ie

By joining the UCD College of Arts and Humanities you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable, just and equitable future. Our courses are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen arts and humanities subjects. Our research and teaching and learning connect with many of the SDGs, most notably:

• SDG 4: Quality Education -Promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality - Advances gender equality by addressing social norms, histories, and cultural practices that contribute to gender disparities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Encourages understanding and action against social, economic, and political inequalities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Enhances cultural understanding and heritage preservation, fostering sustainable communities.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions through critical inquiry into human rights, ethics, and governance.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Encourages global partnerships and collaboration by fostering international understanding and dialogue.

Our programmes equip students with critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential for addressing complex global challenges.

“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.