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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Irish (Modern Irish)

Course Fact File

Code	MAGA
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	MA
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	8 September 2025

Course Outline

Our MA programme includes modules on literature in Irish, the Irish language and Irish manuscripts and palaeography. The development of the Irish language over time is also treated, as well as its appearance in modern dialects, particularly those of Munster. An essential part of the course is the submission of a dissertation presenting research undertaken during the year. All teaching is conducted through Irish.

The course comprises instruction in aspects of the Irish language and literature from the late Middle Ages to modern times, from court poetry to the poetry of Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. It also includes a mandatory module in academic writing. The expected outcome of these modules is that you will have a knowledge of Irish language and literature that is both broad-ranging and detailed, together with special competency in communicating scholarship and learning in a concise and attractive style.

Cúrsa a bhfuil dhá chuid ann, mar leanas, atá á thairiscint ag Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge le haghaidh na céime:
Cuid I: sé cinn de mhodúil a múinfear dhá thráthnóna sa seachtain i gcaitheamh na bliana, agus a mbeidh scrúduithe scríofa á leanúint sa Gheimhreadh nó sa Samhradh;
Cuid II: tráchtas gearr, a mbeidh aontú na Roinne leis, a scríobhfaidh an mac léinn faoi stiúradh duine foirne de chuid na Roinne agus go mbeidh idir 12,000-15,000 focal ann.

Déanfaidh mic léinn 90 creidiúint mar a leanas:

Cuid I

Modúil Riachtanacha:
Déanfaidh mic léinn 20 creidiúint mar a leanas:

• 
GA6001 Scríobh Acadúil na Gaeilge (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo thar an dá sheimeastar. Is cúrsa éigeantach é seo.

• GA6037 Scileanna Taighde agus Cumarsáide (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i

Seimeastar 2. Is cúrsa éigeantach é seo.

Modúil Roghnacha:
Roghnóidh mic léinn 40 creidiúint as an liosta thíos:


• GA6002 Beirt Bhanfhile: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill agus Biddy Jenkinson (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i Seimeastar 1.

• GA6005 Filíocht Mhúscraí ón 18ú hAois Anuas (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i Seimeastar 2.

• GA6020 Advanced Translations Skill (Irish) (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo thar an dá sheimeastar.

• GA6035 An Scríbhneoireacht Chruthaitheach (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i Seimeastar 2.

• GA6038 An Fhiannaíocht (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i Seimeastar 1.

• GA6043 Traidisiún na hAmhránaíochta i gCultúr na Gaeilge (10 creidiúint) Múinfear é seo i Seimeastar 2.

Cuid II


• GA6009 Miontráchtas sa Nua-Ghaeilge (30 creidiúint). Níor ghá go mbeadh gach modúl díobh seo á thairiscint gach bliain.

Course Practicalities

Assessment will be based on in-class exams, class essays, and the submission of a dissertation.

• Dr Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
• Dr Cornelius Buttimer
• Dr Seán Ua Súilleabháin
• Dr Aidan Doyle
• Dr Síle Ní Mhurchú

Why Choose This Course

This course offers you an opportunity to gain an unrivalled combination of skills through exposure to primary sources and published texts of literary, linguistic and historic interest. The course offers unique access to special collections (digital and actual) of Irish language materials. It also combines the teaching skills and experience of some of the leading experts in palaeography, late medieval Irish literature, linguistics, and modern Irish literature. The Modern Irish Department at UCC is widely recognised as being at the forefront of Irish scholarship and our teaching staff have published in excess of 200 books, monographs and articles in the area.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Our graduates of the MA in Modern Irish have gone on to complete further research and to partake in the many and varied opportunities available nowadays to young scholars in Irish.

A recent example is that of the young scholar Mícheál Ó Drisleáin, named in 2011 at the PPI Media Awards as the Newcomer of the Year. In addition to pursuing a career in broadcasting, Mícheál is currently on the point of completing his PhD with the department based on an archive of sound-recordings made in the 1960s and 1970s.

Skills and Careers Information

This course hones your editorial and critical (textual and literary) skills so you will be well placed, on completion of the course, to pursue independent research work in whatever area of Irish you chose, or to apply the skills acquired to non-academic contexts such as media or business.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Irish, or equivalent.   

All applicants will be asked to submit an academic statement in Irish as part of the online application process, outlining their academic background and research interests and their reasons for applying for the course.  Applicants will be required to attend an interview prior to selection

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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