Celtic Civilisation - Arts

UCC was the first university to offer a course in Celtic Civilisation and has gained international recognition as a pioneer in the area. The course is run by the Department of Early and Medieval Irish, one of only two such departments in the world. Our academic staff include some of the foremost experts who are currently active in such fields as Celtic mythology, tales of the Irish hero Finn and his companions, saints, the lore of places, the poetic voice, early Irish Christianity and the Arthurian legend. Our Department is also the centre in UCC for the larger subject area of Celtic Studies, including the medieval history and literature of Wales and Scotland, the deeper past of the Celtic-speaking peoples and the origins and interrelationships of the Celtic languages. This places our students at the very heart of Celtic Civilisation studies in all its permutations.

Extensive enrolment by mature and international students adds to the diversity of the learning experience.

If you are passionate about Ireland’s rich cultural heritage, if you are fascinated by history, or if you are gifted with a curious mind and a strong imagination, a love of story, and a willingness to delve into the tales and lore of a many-sided and ancient tradition, then Celtic Civilisation might be the course for you.

You can take this subject through a number of undergraduate programmes. You must meet the requirements for the programme that you apply for.

This subject has no requirements additional to the overall programme requirements.

Graduate Study Options

Further study options for students who graduate with Celtic Civilisation as part of their degree include

The Department of Early and Medieval Irish has multiple posgraduate study options and research areas for graduates of Celtic Civilisation. 

An undergraduate degree in Celtic Civilisation, besides preparing you for further study in the field of Celtic Studies, can also provide an additional qualification – and a mark of distinction – for students pursuing advanced degrees in such fields as Classics, English, History or Medieval studies.

Career Opportunities

Celtic Civilisation is an excellent qualification for careers involving familiarity with the Irish past, and with Irish tradition and culture, or as a preparation for further study in this and related fields. Graduates are employed in a range of sectors, including: