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IRST30150

Academic Year 2026/2027

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 an interactive mid-term '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 research and discussion 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: Celts, Christians & Vikings
(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 Revival & the Birth of the State
(Irish language; Revolutionary period and Civil War)

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

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 2

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will include weekly lectures, active learning in groups, and online tasks (MCQs, 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
Exam (In-person): Final MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) Exam in class in Week 12 cumulatively assessing knowledge of key concepts from the lectures across all themes.
NOT eligible for self-declared extension.		 Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 Yes
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
30
 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.
NOT eligible for self-declared extension.		 Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Learning activities 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. MCQs (minor thematic ones and the final exam) will provide automated feedback to students after completion.

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.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 9 Wed 17:00 - 17:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Wed 17:00 - 18:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Wed 17:00 - 18:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 17:00 - 18:50
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