Irish Mythology & Folklore - Online

Course Outline

Apart from Latin, Irish is the oldest literary language in western Europe, reflecting the vigorous cultural self-confidence of the early Irish themselves; and a wealth of Old Irish and Middle Irish tales, poems, and other texts speak of the culture and beliefs of the pagan period, evidently drawing on the materials of ancient myth.



Ireland is also unusual in the energy and thoroughness with which its folklore has been collected, especially in the early part of the twentieth century. The Department of Folklore and Ethnology embrace this in our department collaborations with ongoing research projects across both the University and community.



Despite the many changes brought by its eventful history, Ireland's traditions have been remarkably durable, and continuities can be identified by linking the popular lore of modern times with the world of primeval myth. Various course modules trace these continuities, examining enduring themes such as gender, kinship, and the supernatural.



Course content

This is an online programme running for 12 months (full-time), or 24 months (part-time), from the date of first registration.

• In Part I students take 60 credits consisting of six core modules

• In Part II students complete a research dissertation worth 30 credits



All lectures are pre-recorded, and both they and ancillary lecture material (notes, slides, bibliographies, etc.) will be made available via Canvas, the online teaching platform used by University College Cork.



Part-time option: Part-time students will complete a minimum of 40 credits and a maximum of 60 credits in Year 1. In Year 2, they will complete their taught modules as well as submit the 30-credit dissertation by the end of the second academic year.

Part I

Core Modules (60 credits)

CC6024 Tales of Kings & Heroes in Medieval Ireland (10 credits)

CC6025 Celtic Paganism & its Irish Legacy: The Medieval Evidence (10 credits)

CC6027 Gender Perceptions in Medieval Ireland (10 credits)

FL6011 Doing Irish Folklore: Archival Collection & Dissemination, Past & Present (10 credits)

FL6012 The Gaelic Otherworld: Stories &Theories (10 credits)

FL6013 Feminine Genealogies from Myth to Folklore (10 credits)



Part II

Dissertation in Mythology or Folklore (30 credits)



CC6026 Dissertation in Irish Mythology (30 credits) or

FL6010 Dissertation in Irish Folklore (30 credits)

Applications will be considered from graduates of all disciplines. Successful applicants will normally have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or the equivalent.



Candidates who hold a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), based on the information provided in a supplementary statement and/or interview.



For North American students a cumulative GPA of 3.2 is normally expected.



Applicants must complete a short personal statement outlining their academic background and interests and reasons for applying to the programme.



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.

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

Course Delivery Method: Online

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

An MA in Irish Mythology and Folklore is an ideal qualification for those wishing to pursue careers in sectors such as education, academia, heritage, librarianship, local history, broadcasting and media, creative arts, culture, archives, museums and cultural bodies.



This MA also allows you to pursue further research primarily in Irish Folklore, Early and Medieval Irish and Celtic Studies through the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Science (CACSSS).