Course Summary
The MPhil in Medieval Irish aims to give you the knowledge of language, literature, metrics and palaeography you need to edit and translate a medieval Irish text from the original manuscripts.
Students focus either on the Early Irish period (600–1200) or the Classical Modern Irish period (1200–1650). It is not possible to take a combination of Early Irish and Classical Modern Irish modules.
Modules in Classical Modern Irish are offered every year. Modules in Early Irish are offered in alternate years with the Diploma in Old Irish: MPhil modules in Early Irish will next be available in 2026/27.
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Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
All lectures will be conducted in English. Applicants for the MPhil must have a good Honours degree (2.1 or higher) in Irish or a cognate subject (e.g. History, Archaeology, Linguistics). To study Early Irish on the MPhil in Medieval Irish, a solid grounding in Old Irish is essential, as demonstrated by achieving 50% or higher in the Diploma in Old Irish or an equivalent qualification. To study Classical Modern Irish on the MPhil in Medieval Irish, a solid working knowledge of Modern Irish is essential.
Application Details
Fees
<a href="https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/fees/" target="_blank">Postgraduate Fees</a>
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.