The Irish Folklore BSc (Hons) at University College Dublin invites you to explore the vibrant world of traditional popular culture, past and present. This undergraduate degree is ideal for those fascinated by the history and culture of ordinary people, and the evolution of tradition at a vernacular level. As an academic discipline, folklore, or ethnology, delves into oral literature, social traditions, material culture, popular belief, and traditional music. You will investigate the dynamics of communal memory and culture as a collective phenomenon, understanding how tradition is transmitted across time and space, with a specific focus on Irish traditions as a local expression of global cultural phenomena.
This full-time, on-campus programme is studied over four years, beginning with foundational modules that introduce you to the broad scope of folklore studies and key texts. In your second and final years, you will engage in lectures and tutorials covering topics such as material culture, social life and legend, narrative art, and the study of healers and healing, with assessment combining coursework and exams. You will have unparalleled access to UCD’s award-winning UNESCO National Folklore Collection. You will graduate with a deep understanding of cultural heritage and excellent research skills, prepared for careers in cultural heritage, archives, education, and media.