Faculty of Celtic Studies

General

The study of the language, literature, history and civilisation of Celtic peoples is pursued at the University under the aegis of the Faculty of Celtic Studies which comprises the School of Irish and the Departments of Archaeology and History. These constituent departments represent the core disciplines of the Faculty. All teaching in the School of Irish is done through Irish and students wishing to avail of instruction through Irish in the Department of History are offered a full B.A. programme and some other additional courses through the medium of Irish. Scoil na Gaeilge occupies a purpose-built building, Áras na Gaeilge, while the Departments of Archaeology and History are housed in the Concourse Building.

Galway's location on the edge of one of the largest Irish-speaking districts in the country provides an appropriate setting for the Faculty's work and the city's acclaimed status as a centre of Irish culture makes this University an attractive choice for students interested in Celtic Studies.

Each summer, month-long graded intensive language courses (beginners, intermediate and advanced) are offered at the University's centre in the village of An Cheathrú Rua, some twenty five miles west of Galway. Participants are accommodated with Irish-speaking families in the neighbourhood and since its inception in 1978 the course has been attended by students from a great many different countries. For many beginners the course has provided a linguistic foundation which has qualified them to register for a one year Diploma course in Celtic Studies offered by the Faculty.

The Structure of Courses

The undergraduate programme, B.A. in Celtic Studies, is of three years duration, but the student has an option of doing an additional year's study abroad as part of the programme. Students wishing to pursue this degree are required to take Irish as a subject in First Arts, and while they may choose from the full menu of available subjects, they are encouraged to select those such as Archaeology, History, Latin and Welsh, which are of particular relevance to Celtic Studies. Above average performance in First Arts, especially in Irish, is required of students wishing to pursue the B.A. programme in Celtic Studies. Courses for the degree are chosen in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty.

The range of subjects offered by the Faculty includes: Irish language and literature of all periods, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, Medieval and Modern Irish History and the Archaeology of Celtic Europe with special reference to Ireland. Students studying for the B.A. degree take a selection of courses in these areas with the requirement that the Irish language and its literature form the core of their study. Courses are offered on all four living Celtic languages and their literatures thus giving the Faculty a unique position among Irish universities. A feature of the teaching of Modern Irish is the emphasis on contemporary literature in that language. Special attention is also given to oral tradition and other aspects of folk culture.

Members of the Faculty engage in research in their own special areas and in addition to publishing books and monographs contribute to the major academic journals in the discipline. Members of the Faculty are on the editorial boards of several journals, such as Béaloideas, Galvia and Peritia.

International Links

The Faculty has exchange arrangements for teaching and research with several British and continental European universities under the SOCRATES programme and has close links with a number of universities in the United States. The Faculty has hosted several international conferences in recent years and the School of Irish hosts an annual conference (mainly through Irish) on themes relating to Irish literature and culture.

Postgraduate Studies

A high proportion of those who graduate in Celtic Studies proceed to the Master's degree. The Faculty offers both a one-year taught M.A. and an M.A. programme by major thesis. The Ph.D. degree in Celtic Studies is awarded for a major dissertation written under the direction of a senior Faculty member.

Further Information

An Dr. P. Ó Héalaí
Telephone: (091) 524411 Ext. 2562

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