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Irish  (MIJ1)

BA (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Cathal Billings
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 25
Stage 3: 25
Stage 4: 25

Curricular information is subject to change.

  • Má tá suim agat sa Ghaeilge
  • Más mian leat barr feabhais a chur ar do scileanna cumarsáide agus teanga
  • Más spéis leat cur leis an eolas atá agat ar litríocht agus stair na nGael

    Tá atmaisféar foghlama bríomhar, cairdiúil ar fáil sna ranganna agus tú ag déanamh staidéir ar an nGaeilge, rud a chuireann go mór le spéis agus taithí na mac léinn. Tabharfaidh na modúil atá ar fáil sa Nua- Ghaeilge léargas duit ar réimsí léinn nua-aimseartha agus stairiúla, idir theanga agus litríocht - Fionn agus na Fianna anuas go dtí TG4 agus go leor leor eile.

    • The BA programme in Nua-Ghaeilge is aimed at students with an interest in the language, literature, heritage and history of Modern Irish from the beginning of the Modern Irish period to the present day. Students will graduate with an in-depth knowledge in all of these areas, developing effective communication and analytical skills to prepare them for a variety of career paths including: careers in education, media, translation, public service, research, editing and publishing.



    We value the Irish language as an integral part of Irish cultural Identity. Our aim is to promote and preserve the language, its literature and culture, and to emphasise its importance for Irish society. We also value autonomous and collaborative learning by providing a vibrant academic environment for the teaching and use of the Irish language, supported by our multi-media language learning centre, field trips to the Gaeltacht and our Student Space (An Seomra Caidrimh), and we encourage Irish-language usage amongst the student body. All teaching and communication is conducted through the medium of Irish, both in small group tutorials and in large group lectures.



    Assessment takes the form of oral, written and aural examinations, peer assessment, project work, essays and presentations in the delivery of the curriculum.


    1 - 4. Understand the significant role and value of becoming an autonomous lifelong learner.
    2 - 1. Construct a coherent and research-focused argument in Nua-Ghaeilge in the areas of linguistic and grammatical study, literature, historical text, journalism and film
    3 - 2. Critically evaluate the language, literature, history and culture of Nua-Ghaeilge from the beginning of the Modern-Irish period (1200 AD) to the present day.
    4 - 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of dialectal and Standard Irish (An Caighdeán Oifigiúil), attaining a B2 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or its equivalent.
    5 - 5. Apply the use of accurate spoken and written Irish in both academic and professional contexts, i.e. give interviews in broadcast and print media; debate and analyse current affairs and academic topics; be proficient in the use of on-line and traditional resources.
    6 - Appreciate the study of the Irish language and its literature as an integral part of Irish society, past and present, in a national and global context.
    7 - 7. Discriminate areas of academic specialisation that are best suited to their strengths as postgraduate students, as research scholars and as professionals.

  • University of Edinburgh, UK
  • Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK
  • St Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    • UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

    At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

    This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
    • Writing
    • Researching
    • Oral Communication
    • Written Communication
    • Presentations
    • Teamwork
    • Creativity
    • Global awareness
    • Social responsibility
    • Critical thinking
    • Self-awareness


    This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
    • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
    • Language skills e.g. Chinese and Spanish via UCD Centre for English & Global Languages
    • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
    • Development of self-reflection skills


  • Láithreoir teilifíse, múinteoir ranga, aistritheoir, taighdeoir, cóipeagarthóir, riarthóir san Aontas Eorpach, ateangaire, léachtóir nó iriseoir. Tá mórán deiseanna spreagúla ann i gcomhair céimithe le Gaeilge.
  • Tá cáil ar an Nua-Ghaeilge i UCD as feabhas i dtaighde agus i dteagasc fochéime agus iarchéime a chothú agus a chur chun cinn. Tá cúrsaí nuálacha rathúla múinte ar fáil do mhic léinn: MA/Dioplóma Iarchéime sa Nua-Ghaeilge agus Dioplóma Iarchéime/MA i Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge, mar aon le cailíochtaí taighde Mlitt agus PHD.

    • Stage 2

    Students must take core modules IR20010 Teanga na Gaeilge II A and IR20180 Teanga na Gaeilge II B. Students are required to take 3 option modules.

    Stage 3

    Students must take core modules IR30400 'Teanga na Gaeilge III A' and IR30030 'Teanga na Gaeilge III B'.
    Students are required to take 3 option modules.

    Stage 4

    Students must take core modules IR30400 'Teanga na Gaeilge III A' and IR30030 'Teanga na Gaeilge III B'.
    Students are required to take 3 option modules.

    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 2 Core Modules
    		 IR20180 Teanga na Gaeilge II A Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    		 IR20010 Teanga na Gaeilge II B (Irish language II B) Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20050 Iriseoireacht na Gaeilge (Journalism in Irish) Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20220 Bláthú na Nuafhilíochta Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20060 Logainmneacha agus sloinnte Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20240 An Ghaeilge ar an Scáileán Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20310 Bunchlocha an Aistriúcháin Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of two option modules from the list below.

    You can choose additional modules in place of electives.
    		 IR20330 Dianchúrsa Gaeltachta Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A1) Min 5CR:
    Students must choose at least 1 x 5 credit modules from the list below but may choose a second 5 credit module, in place of their elective. If no level 3 modules are chosen in Stage 2, there will be a opportunity to take them in Stage 3.
    		 IR30420 Litriocht na Gaeilge 1650-1845 Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A1) Min 5CR:
    Students must choose at least 1 x 5 credit modules from the list below but may choose a second 5 credit module, in place of their elective. If no level 3 modules are chosen in Stage 2, there will be a opportunity to take them in Stage 3.
    		 IR30460 Litríocht Uladh Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A1) Min 5CR:
    Students must choose at least 1 x 5 credit modules from the list below but may choose a second 5 credit module, in place of their elective. If no level 3 modules are chosen in Stage 2, there will be a opportunity to take them in Stage 3.
    		 IR20320 Scéalta Rómánsacha Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
    This is a College of Arts and Humanities module, it is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of taking one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure you have selected the correct number of programme options from the list above. This is not one of your required options.
    		 HUM20010 Career Readiness for Arts Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    		 IR30400 Teanga na Gaeilge III A Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    		 IR30030 Teanga na Gaeilge III B (Irish language III B) Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30410 An Nuaphrós Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30420 Litriocht na Gaeilge 1650-1845 Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30460 Litríocht Uladh Autumn  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30090 Teangeolaíocht na Gaeilge: anailís ar an teanga féin Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30200 An Béal Beo Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30220 Athbheochan na Gaeilge Spring  5
    Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30450 An litríocht réigiúnach Spring  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    		 IR30400 Teanga na Gaeilge III A Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    		 IR30030 Teanga na Gaeilge III B (Irish language III B) Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30410 An Nuaphrós Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30420 Litriocht na Gaeilge 1650-1845 Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30460 Litríocht Uladh Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30090 Teangeolaíocht na Gaeilge: anailís ar an teanga féin Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30200 An Béal Beo Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30220 Athbheochan na Gaeilge Spring  5
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 3 of:
    Students are required to select a minimum of three option modules.

    Students may take additional option modules from the list below in place of electives, if they wish.
    		 IR30450 An litríocht réigiúnach Spring  5

    See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

    Module Weighting Info
     
      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
    BHACS031 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
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