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IRST30150

Academic Year 2025/2026

Ireland Uncovered (IRST30150)

Subject:
Irish Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Irish, Celtic Stud & Folklore
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Connor McCabe
Trimester:
Autumn and Spring (separate)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

What made Ireland the country it is today? The 'Ireland Uncovered' module addresses that question through an interdisciplinary examination of major topics in Irish history, religion, language, literature, politics, society, and culture from the arrival of Christianity to after the Celtic Tiger, delivered by diverse subject experts. Topics are arranged into five themes, with individual topics addressed by an expert in that particular field. Students engage with individual topics through short MCQs in preparation for a final MCQ exam, and through more in-depth written responses to a smaller selection of topics of their choosing. An interactive 'walking tour' assignment gives students the opportunity to explore topics in Irish history, culture, and/or society in the context of Dublin.

Output from Generative Artificial Intelligence is not permitted for any material submitted for assessment in this module, although students are allowed to use editing and proofing tools (e.g. spell- and grammar checkers) which may be based on AI more broadly.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By engaging with lectures, readings, and assignments, on completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major topics in Ireland's history and sociocultural development.

2. Engage competently in oral and written treatment of relevant topics.

3. Understand and appreciate the complexities of Irish culture, history and society both past and present.

Indicative Module Content:

Though subject to change, below is a representative outline of themes and topics covered in the module:

Theme 1: Ireland of Celts & Christians
(Paganism & Christianity; Vikings; Early Modern Ireland)

Theme 2: Folklore, Music & Art
(Irish Folklore; Irish Traditional Music)

Theme 3: Literature & Legacy
(Anglo-Irish Writing; Irish English)

Theme 4: The Irish Language & the Birth of the State
(Irish language; Revolutionary period and Civil War)

Theme 5: Modern Ireland
(20th and 21st century Ireland; Sex & Society)

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

16
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will include weekly lectures, active learning in groups, and online tasks (MCQs, written assignments, and peer engagement).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture & Soc


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Participation in a collaborative, small-group walking tour of Dublin city centre including an oral presentation on a key site/topic and provision of peer feedback to members of another group. Week 8 Graded No
20
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Short MCQs completed at the end of each theme to check engagement with lectures, and to prepare for the format and style of the final MCQ exam. Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Exam (In-person): Final MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) Exam in class in Week 12 Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Reflective Assignment: Short written responses to prompts based on module content. Submitted at the end of the trimester, but with the option to request formative feedback at earlier stages of preparation. Week 12 Graded No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Learning activities and written work will receive individual and (where relevant) group feedback through Brightspace post-assessment. There is a (written) peer feedback component required as part of group work. Thematic MCQs will provide automated feedback to students after completion. Optional mid-term submission of a full or partial draft of the written assignment will receive individual feedback for consideration before end-of-term submission. This is offered to give reassurance and alleviate anxiety around style, content, etc. before submission of the full assignment for grading.

Required reading for each topic will be made available through Brightspace. Some representative sources for further exploration are provided below.

Foster, R.F. (Ed.). 1989. The Oxford History of Ireland. Oxford University Press.

Ellis, S. 1998. Ireland in the Age of the Tudors 1447-1603: English Expansion and the end of
Gaelic Rule. Harlow.

Paseta, S. 2003. Modern Ireland: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

Bartlett, T. 2010. Ireland: a History. Cambridge University Press.

Name Role
Dr Connor McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aoife Whelan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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