Irish - Modern Irish - Nua Ghaeilge

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.



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.

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.

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.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

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.

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

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

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.