MA in Literature and Culture (Irish Pathway)

*Applications for 2025/26 now open*

Irish Literature pathway:

Students enrolled in the MA in Literature and Culture, 2024- 2025 may pursue a pathway in Irish Literature.

The School has world-renowned expertise in the field of Irish literature and culture, and members of School faculty have authored pioneering research and creative works on subjects such as modern and contemporary Irish poetry, memoir, Joyce studies, contemporary Irish theatre, Irish literary history, Irish women’s writings, twentieth-century fiction and Irish film.

Many of our students have become internationally acclaimed writers; these generations of School graduates range from writers James Joyce, Mary Lavin, Kate O’Brien, Flann O’Brien, and Maeve Binchy to Frank McGuinness, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Nuala O’Faolain, Colm Tóibín, Joseph O’Connor, Roddy Doyle, Emma Donoghue, Colin Barrett and Adiba Jaigirdar.

Following the pathway in Irish studies will involve taking a core course and an optional module in Irish literature and culture each semester and pursuing a thesis topic on an Irish- related subject.

Course modules may include the following:
Modern Irish Poetry
Ulysses
Tradition and the Contemporary: Irish Fiction
Special Topics in Irish Literary Studies
Public Humanities and Ireland
Irish Theatre
Irish Film

Students will also be able to choose optional modules from other School offerings, including the modules offered by the Creative Future Academy 

The School works closely with The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), a collaboration between UCD and the National Library of Ireland, located on St Stephen’s Green, in James Joyce’s student home, and students will have access to its dynamic programmes and exhibitions. See MoLI webpages

Click on our feature in UCD Connections to read more about our alumni.

See MA Literature and Culture webpage for details of the wider programme.

For more information, please email Fiona French, the programme administrator, at graduateedf@ucd.ie

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