Irish Cultural Heritage

Irish Cultural Heritage at Maynooth University specialises in early Ireland, from the arrival of the first people 10,000 years ago, up to the late medieval period. It offers inter-disciplinary teaching including archaeology, history, aspects of early literature, folklore, and landscape studies. Modules, which are all taught through English, are delivered by academic experts in these areas while there is an exciting programme of Field Seminars that bring students to some of the most iconic archaeological and historical sites including Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise. Another aspect of the learning process is independent study involving visits to other Heritage sites and Cultural institutions like the 11th century cathedrals of Dublin and the National Museum of Ireland.

See below a list of courses available with Irish Cultural Heritage in 2024:

Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage

Irish Cultural Heritage

This 20 credit certificate on Irish Cultural Heritage is available to students visiting Maynooth University for a single semester or for the whole year and to students not currently studying in the university. This programme offers an inter-disciplinary evaluation of early Irish cultural history with particular emphasis on archaeological, literary, historical and linguistic evidence. Field experiences are a core component of this study and this will include on-site investigation of key monuments such as the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Newgrange and Knowth, the Hill of Tara and the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise. Individual modules are available to visiting students and current MU students.

The cost for the course is €1250.

Registration is now open for Spring 2025!

Please contact [email protected] about making an application for September 2024.

Please see below information leaflet on the course:

Flyer 1 Irish Cultural Heritage Info Sem2

Postgraduate

We are currently developing options for postgraduate study which will focus on the development of the academic knowledge and inter-disciplinary research skills required to engage with key facets of Irish Cultural Heritage, with particular emphasis on literature, archaeology, and history. Considerable emphasis will be placed on the practical interaction with aspects of our rich cultural heritage through field experiences, archaeological excavation, and independent study.

Mound of Hostages, Hill of Tara, 1955

BA in Local Studies

We offer modules to students taking the part-time evening BA in Local Studies at Maynooth. We offer a broad range of modules in the evenings as well as summer schools as part of this programme. Most recently, we offered a largely field based Summer School on Irish Cultural Heritage which involved field experiences at the Boyne Valley, Clonmacnoise, Laraghbryan, Maynooth Castle, Monasterboice and Mellifont Abbey.

Passage tomb at Knowth, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Students exploring ruins at the Cistercian Abbey at Mellifont on the recent Summer School

Maynooth Castle

Cultural Heritage of 'Royal Sites'
Our current module provides an interdisciplinary assessment of 'royal' sites such as the Hill of Tara, Emain Macha (Navan Fort), Cruachain and Dún Áilinne.

Students participating in a recent field seminar at the Hill of Tara with Dr Eoin Grogan

Research

Undergraduate Studies

Postgraduate Studies

International

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Irish Cultural Heritage

Irish Cultural Heritage

Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage

Irish Cultural Heritage

Postgraduate

BA in Local Studies

Further Information