Why Study Irish at TCD?
If you have an interest in studying Irish - Early or Modern - then you should consider studying with us here in Trinity College.
Study
The Irish department has an international reputation for its teaching and research. We offer several undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as modules for visiting students. All aspects of the Irish language and its literature, from its earliest days, are explored within our courses. Our classes in Early Irish and classes for visiting students are taught through English; all others are taught through Irish. We are proud to be a mini-gaeltacht within Ireland's capital city, and we support our students in using Irish every day.
Uniquely in Ireland, Scottish Gaelic is an integral part of our Modern Irish course. All our students have the opportunity to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Scottish-Gaelic-speaking Isle of Skye. We also arrange a course in the Connemara gaeltacht for our students each summer, and we support students who want to visit other gaeltacht areas. Students of Early Irish have the opportunity of studying abroad for a semester - see past-pupil Christina Cleary's profile to see how she got on in Aberystwyth.
Trinity College is close to many Irish-language amenities including Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn,and Gaelchultúr. Excellent research facilities such as the National Library of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy are a short walk away. Trinity College's important collection of Irish manuscripts is accessible to research students through the college library. Here in the department we hold microfilm copies of the Irish Folklore Commission's collection of Irish folklore manuscripts, among other valuable resources.
Life
The Department of Irish and Celtic Languages is a small, friendly department - staff and students get to know each other well, and our lecturers are always happy to talk with students. Former students often drop in to see us, and they are usually still firm friends with the people they met in Irish class. You will have many opportunities to get to know the other students in your year and in others; perhaps by going to the gaeltacht with college, or by meeting up at Club Chonradh na Gaeilge on Student Night. See our student profiles for a taste of their experiences.
An Cumann Gaelach is one of the strongest societies in the college and runs many events during the year, such as weekly conversation circles, the annual trip to Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Éigse na Tríonóide, and Bál na Gaeilge (the Irish Ball). Trinity also has a vibrant traditional music society (Tradsoc). The college Irish Language Officer promotes Irish in many ways, from coffee mornings as Gaeilge in the Buttery Café to the Scéim Chónaithe, a scheme whereby students who live together through Irish receive a grant towards their accommodation costs.
Trinity College itself is in an excellent location in the heart of Dublin, near to all the shops, museums, restaurants, galleries and pubs you could ask for. We have a beautiful campus that draws visitors from around the world - and you could be here every day.