Irish Language

UCD is home to a UNESCO recognised National Folklore Collection and houses significant Irish manuscripts. Since its foundation, the university has played a pivotal role in the revival and preservation of the Irish language. Through exploration of early and modern literature, language practice, culture, media and technology, our researchers unlock knowledge that enriches Irish culture, informs policy and invigorates historical regional languages.

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Research Units and Programmes

UCD and the Gaelic Revival

A leading figure in the Gaelic Revival, Douglas Hyde took his place as the world's first Professor of Modern Irish at UCD in 1909, going on to become the first President of Ireland in 1938. Academics at UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore have been blazing a trail for over a century, invigorating the language through innovative research on minority language engagement, and Irish manuscripts, literature, folklore and language technologies. Their research, teachings and creative outputs have informed and inspired generations. 

Shaping Ireland: Forgotten Women

A founding member of Cumann na mBán and the first woman to publish a novel in the Irish language (1901), Úna Ní Fhaircheallaigh (born Agnes Farrelly) was the first female Professor of Modern Irish. UCD experts have brought to light her important role as a writer and ardent campaigner for women's rights and Irish language, sport and culture, and are highlighting the many significant - but often forgotten - contributions of women to Irish language and culture in the early 1900s.

The role and influence of Irish language media

As a world leader in Irish language media research, UCD has been selected by the Irish Media Commission to lead the most comprehensive review of Irish language media to date. This review will examine Irish language broadcast and written media, both online and offline, and the provision of Irish in the English language media, underlining the importance of statutory obligations, the role of media in education and the provision of Irish language for young people. 

Featured Researchers

Using technology to Illuminate Ireland's early history and lore

UCD Library houses rare texts such as the original 17th century manuscript of The Great Book of Irish Genealogies, the largest surviving body of Irish genealogical lore. Irish language scripts inform our perceptions of early Irish history and UCD experts work with archaeologists, historians, linguists, etymologists, genealogists, writers and musicians to provide context through these sources. Our researchers are working with new technologies to enhance understanding of complex Irish texts, and in turn, strengthen our understanding of early traditions and practices.

UCD Collection Highlights

The development of the Irish language

Tomás de Bhaldraithe's English-Irish dictionary (1959) was a significant milestone in building a language infrastructure for speakers, writers, and learners of Irish. During his years at UCD (1943-1986), De Bhaldraithe set up a first-of-its-kind language laboratory and established the Irish Dialect Archives. An unparalleled resource, these Archives contain unique Irish language manuscripts and documents that proved integral to key developments in Irish language dialectology and lexicography, including pioneering computational lexicography of the 1970s.

UNESCO recognised National Folklore Collection (NFC)

At a point in time when the Irish language was in serious decline, The Irish Folklore Commission set out to collect audio and film recordings, manuscripts and rare printed materials to document the older cultural patterns and practices of Ireland. This rare collection at UCD is a precious resource for researchers, artists and the public. Lucy McKenna's recent IMMA exhibition explores the phenomenon of magical lights appearing in the Irish landscape, as documented by children from 1937-1939 in the NFC; while musician Éamonn Cagney's research of NFC audio and texts on percussion in folk tradition will inform a new original composition - both are UCD Joseph Hassett Bursary Winners.

Work from UCD Alumni, Staff & Laureates

2022

The Three Stack Sisters: A New Perspective on 20th-Century Irish-Language Women’s Writing

Études Irlandaises

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2022

Strategies in tracing linguistic variation in a corpus of Old Irish texts (CorPH)

International Journal of Corpus Linguistics

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2016

Language Shift and Language Revival in Ireland

Sociolinguistics in Ireland

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2022

A New Gaelic League Idea: The Global Context

Éigse

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