Module Code - Title:
MD6081
-
CRITICAL ENGAGEMENTS WITH IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To examine manuscript, printed, audio and visual sources of Irish traditional music. Students will engage trends in current research in the field of traditional music studies.
Syllabus:
In this module students will examine writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance their understanding of this tradition. They will critically engage with texts relevant to Irish traditional music studies and related fields.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
• Identify key concepts within the Irish music and song traditions.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of texts relevant to Irish traditional music studies.
• Demonstrate an ability to engage texts critically.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
• Contextualise their studies within the context of twentieth- and twenty-first-century Ireland.
• Express their opinions in class discussion.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
• Develop discriminatory aural skills.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will comprise lectures and a reading group developing knowledgable and articulate students. Students will engage critically with key texts in theoretically learning about Irish traditional music and related fields. Students will creatively select methods appropriate for their own independent research.
Prime Texts:
Shields, Hugh (1993)
Narrative Singing in Ireland
, Irish Academic Press
O'Sullivan, Donal (1958)
Carolan: The Life, Times and Music of an Irish Harper
, Routledge and Kegan Paul
Breathnach, Breandán (1993)
Folk Music and Dances of Ireland
, Ossian
O'Shea Helen (2008)
The Making of Irish traditional Music
, Cork University Press
Dowling, Martin (2014)
Traditional Music and Irish Society: Historical Perspectives,
, Ashgate
Other Relevant Texts:
O'Flynn, John (2009)
The Irishness of Irish Music
, Farmgate
Vallely, Fintan, ed. (2011)
The Companion to Irish Traditional Music
, Cork University Press
Motherway, Susan (2013)
The Globalisation of Irish Traditional Song Performance
, Ashgate
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF ARTS IN DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN ETHNOCHOREOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH DANCE STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN IRISH MUSIC STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN SONGWRITING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Niall.Keegan@ul.ie