Maynooth University Undergraduate Handbook 2015

Medieval Irish and Celtic Studies
Subject Areas at Maynooth University 124 – 125
Why study Medieval Irish and Celtic Studies
By studying the literature, language, history
and archaeology of the period, students will
learn about the varied heritage of Ireland up
to the twelfth century, and they learn about
the societies and cultures of Celtic peoples.
Irish is one of the oldest written languages in Europe,
and rivals classical Latin and Greek literature in
richness and diversity: tales of heroes such as
Cormac mac Airt and Cú Chulainn, saints lives such
as those of Brigit, Patrick and Colm Cille, mythology
and poetry, legal and historical writing, the role
of women such as Medb and Deirdriu, and the
importance of kings and their sovereignty are among
the topics that will be explored in the programme.
Students also develop important transferable
skills through the analysis of primary sources, the
writing of essays and the study of language.
Why study Medieval Irish and
Celtic Studies at Maynooth
The Department of Early Irish at Maynooth
is a leading centre for the study of Medieval
Irish and Celtic Studies, engaging in teaching
and research in the history, culture, language
and literature of medieval Ireland and related
societies. We are a diverse and friendly
department offering a vibrant and stimulating
experience to Irish and international students.
Our students have the opportunity to choose
from a wide range of subjects, from heroic
literature to pre-historic archaeology, from
the role of women in medieval Celtic societies
to the history of Celtic languages.
Students can opt to study Old and Middle Irish,
to engage actively and in more depth with the
language in which the original texts were written.
taking medieval irish and celtic studies as part of an arts degree – Sample modules
First year Second year Third year
̍̍
Celtic Civilisation I –
the Ancient Celts
̍̍
Celtic Civilisation Ii – Early
Irish Myths and Sagas
̍̍
Celtic Civilisation Iii – Gender
and Sexuality in the Celtic World
̍̍
Celtic Civilisation Iv –
Introducing Celtic History
and Languages
̍̍
History I – Ireland 431-800
̍̍
Language I – Old Irish I
̍̍
History III – The Archaeology
of Early Medieval Ireland
̍̍
Literature Ii – Myths,
Women and Queens
̍̍
Literature Iii – Tales
of the Otherworld
̍̍
History Ii – Ireland Encounters
Scandinavia: The Viking Age
̍̍
History V – Law, Society
and Learned Classes in
Early Christian Ireland
̍̍
Literature IV – Humour in
Medieval Celtic Literature
̍̍
Literature V – Medieval
Irish Poetry
̍̍
History Iv – Ireland
and the Vikings
̍̍
Literature Vi –
Goddesses and Kings
̍̍
Literature Vii – Saints
and Scholars
What are my options for studying medieval irish and celtic studies at Maynooth
Options What you study CAO Code Points
2014
Medieval Irish &
Celtic Studies as
part of a Joint Major
degree
BA International
meet some of the team
Academics in the department are recognised experts
in a range of subjects from historical linguistics
to religious literature, and from archaeology to
gender studies in Ireland and the Celtic World.
Dr. Elizabeth Boyle joined the Department in 2013
as Lecturer in Early Irish. She previously held postdoctoral
research fellowships in the University of
Cambridge and UCC. She is also a Visiting Fellow of
St Edmund’s College, Cambridge. She studied Celtic
languages, history and palaeography at Glasgow
University and Cambridge (PhD 2008). Elizabeth
is interested in cultural, religious and intellectual
history, particularly that of medieval Ireland.
You will take at least 20 credits of Medieval Irish &
Celtic Studies in first year and at least 25 credits in
years 2 and 3. Second and third year optional language
modules are available subject to a minimum level of
uptake.
Students who opt to spend a year studying abroad
are awarded a BA International degree. Students can
make this choice during second year.
What can I do with my degree
Students gain a mixture of analytical skills in
literature, history and language – useful assets for a
variety of careers. Graduates are found in heritage
tourism and related areas, library work and Irish
language publishing. Some graduates opt to proceed
into postgraduate study. The Department offers:
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M.LITT. (RESEARCH)
MA MEDIEVAL IRISH STUDIES
PhD MEDIEVAL IRISH
Leaving Certificate entry requirements
2HC3 & 4OD3, Irish, English and a third language.
Contact
MH101
(page 161)
MH101
(page 161)
Department of Early Irish (Sean-Ghaeilge),
Arts Building, North Campus
350
350
Ms. Mairéad Uí Fhlatharta, Executive Assistant
Tel: +353-1-708 3666
Email: earlyirish@nuim.ie
Dr. Elizabeth Boyle