Cultural Heritage

The Certificate in Cultural Heritage aims to enable learners to engage in profound and multifaceted discussion and analysis about cultural heritage from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Learners on the programme will explore an awareness of regional cultural heritage and the importance of heritage in Ireland. The main goal is to enable learners to understand the concept of cultural heritage and to apply this knowledge to current and possible future projects. Learners will examine the tangible and intangible or nonphysical aspects of regional culture.



This programme also examines the processes of remembering the past by taking a case study approach to assess the ways in which heritage has been used politically, at regional, local and community level and by interest groups. Issues surrounding cultural heritage such as protection, repatriation, destruction and cultural property law will be analysed. A critical appraisal of how cultural heritage institutions use digital media, focusing on the relationship between material and digital objects, the impact of technology, and virtual heritage possibilities.

What will be covered?



The major topics of this programme will include:

Defining cultural heritage based on current scholarship.

Exploring people’s experience and understanding of their personal, national, regional and local pasts.

Interrogating and analysing different understandings of the past.

An analysis and debate of the issues surrounding cultural heritage such as protection, repatriation, destruction and cultural vvproperty law.

The use of new media in the service of cultural heritage.

The relationship between material and digital objects in cultural heritage collections.

Applicants are required to hold:

Any Level 7 History or a cognate subject, OR Demonstration of a record of being employed in the field of history in some way, OR Evidence of publication in history in a good local historical journal.



Carlow College, St. Patrick’s reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the course.

12 weeks 1 evening per fortnight 18:30 – 21:30



Delivery: Blended



On-Campus Workshop

There will be one scheduled on-campus workshop over the 12 weeks

Start Date January