Research & Study in Ireland
A variety of opportunities are available to those wishing to study Irish traditional music, song and dance at third level on the island of Ireland, both through taught and research programmes. Opportunities for the study of Ethnomusicology and Ethnochoreology are also available.
Pre-Degree Level Courses
Several options are available to study Irish traditional music and dance at certificate and diploma level. These are typically one year, standalone courses but some may also serve as preparation to study music and dance at undergraduate level. Some courses are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. These options, as well as entry conditions, vary from institution to institution – if you are interested in studying any of these courses please contact the institution directly for the full details.
Some of these courses are dedicated to the study of Irish traditional music, song and dance (this is always explicit in the course title) while others include Irish traditional music studies as part of a more general music education programme.
Undergraduate Level
Various undergraduate qualifications are available through the study of music and dance. Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Music (BMus) are perhaps the most common. Undergraduate degree courses involve 3 or 4 years of full-time study. Undergraduate courses involving a practical music and/or dance component generally require some kind of entrance exam and/or audition. Entry requirements and auditions processes vary from institution to institution – contact the institution directly for details.
Again, some of these courses are dedicated to the study of Irish traditional music, song and dance (this is always explicit in the course title) while others include Irish traditional music studies as part of a more general music education programme.
UNDERGRADUATE MUSIC COURSES
Postgraduate (Taught and Research)
Postgraduate qualifications available in music and dance studies include the Diploma, Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Music (MMus). Some of the options below are available full-time and part-time, and the duration can vary from one to two years. Entry requirements vary. Contact the institution directly for details.
Again, some of theses courses are dedicated to the study of Irish traditional music, song and dance (this is always explicit in the course title) while others include Irish traditional music studies as part of a more general music education programme.
The following institutions offer postgraduate research and taught opportunities in Irish traditional music, song and dance, Ethnomusicology and Ethnochoreology in the form of Masters and PhD programmes.
- Ballyfermot College of Further Education
- Dublin Institute of Technology
- Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Griffith College
- Institute of Technology Tralee
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth (incorporating Department of Music, National University of Ireland, Maynooth)
- National University Ireland, Galway
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork (incorporating School of Music, University College Cork)
- University College Dublin (incorporating School of Music, University College Dublin)
- University of Limerick (incorporating Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick)
- University of Ulster
- Waterford Institute of Technology
