The student is introduced to the outlines of early Irish civilization, tracing its origins in Celtic Europe, its establishment and evolution in Ireland, the impact upon it of the late Roman world, and the great flowering which it experienced in Ireland’s “Golden Age”. The social, religious and cultural institutions are treated as they are seen to have evolved in pagan and early Christian times. Early Irish Literature is an important part of the course and its wider place in mythology and early European literature is analysed and discussed. Early Irish is open to beginners and no previous knowledge of the subject is assumed or required. Side by side with introductory language classes in Old and Middle Irish, an elementary study of selected early Irish texts in prose and verse may be undertaken. Early Irish is an important introduction for students wishing to read Celtic Studies in the second year. It provides background for those interested in medieval studies and, since it is a complex early language, it can be studied with profit by students interested in Linguistics.
	Early and Medieval Irish, John Henry Newman Building University College Dublin  Belfield Campus   Dublin 4   IRELAND  ph. +353-1-716-8105 fax: +353-1-716-1117 e-mail: BMcGioll@ucd.ie

Last modified: September, 2001