Certificate in Irish Traditional Music Studies
Course Overview
This short programme introduces students to the rich and varied musical heritage of Ireland with a particular focus on the Oriel Region. This makes for a unique programme, attractive to those with a strong interest in Irish music and culture. As well as historical content, students have the opportunity to learn to perform music, song and dance from the region and understand the repertoire in context and visit significant musical spaces in the region. The programme also includes fieldwork opportunities.
This course is best-suited to those interested in Irish culture and heritage, people involved in tourism or with a particular involvement in local activities, learner musicians who seek to know more about the history and context of Irish traditional music. It also may be of interest to International students interested in developing their understanding of Irish culture.
What makes this course different
Local Heritage
Learn more about the musical heritage of the Oriel region
Tourism Industry
Be prepared for visitors seeking to engage with Irish traditional music
Ideal for Teachers
Teachers can enhance their knowledge of Irish traditional music
Career Opportunities
Completion of the programme will enhance other skills and knowledge with particular relevance for the culture industries, tourism, hospitality and education.
Course Delivery and Modules
The course runs on campus 9am-5pm for 2 weeks (9th - 20th June 2025) with some online content.
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Content
- Introduction to Irish traditional music: This unit will introduce instruments, repertoire and form, and major historical developments in Irish traditional music.
- The Irish Harp Traditions: This lecture will introduce students to the music of the harp, its symbolic importance and ongoing change in the tradition.
- Field Trip: Irish Music Performance: This Field Trip will include site visits to a performance of Irish traditional music.
- The Irish Song Traditions: This unit will introduce students to aspects of the Irish song traditions with a particular focus on the Irish language song traditions of the Oriel region.
- Field Trip The Poets' Trail: The Field Trip will include visits to a series of sites in Counties Louth and Armagh associated with some of the seminal poets and poetry/songs of the region.
- Irish Dance: This unit introduces students to Irish dance traditions including sean nós, set dancing, céilí dancing and step dancing with a focus on the impact of Riverdance on local traditions.
- Workshop: Irish Dance and Céilí: The Field Trip will allow students to participate in a dance workshop and experience an Irish céilí.
- Ensemble Style in Irish traditional music: In this unit students will receive an introduction to the development of ensemble playing in Irish traditional music from céilí bands to contemporary fusion groups.
- Workshop: Learn an Irish Instrument: This workshop will allow students to learn to play the tin whistle and bodhrán.
- Irish Traditional Music, Geography and Politics: This unit places Irish traditional music in a contemporary context that considers its role in a border area, the identity of communities in conflict and as an economic resource.
- Fieldtrip: Spaces of Irish traditional music: This Field Trip will allow students to encounter tangible and intangible realisations of Irish traditional music.
Education Progression
Fees and Funding
The total fee for this course is €1450 payable as follows:
- €1450 Accept Offer fee (fully refundable if course does not proceed)
Fees
€1450
Entry Requirements
- Entry to this programme is in line with the Level 7 entry requirements of the Institute. Applicants should hold five grades at 06 or H7 in Leaving Certificate, including English Grade O6 or H7 and Irish Grade O6 or H7. View Level 7 minimum entry requirements
Prior experiential learning will be assessed under the Institute’s DkIT Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Learn more about RPL at DkIT.
How To Apply
Apply Directly to DkIT
Apply directly to DkIT using our online applications system. Please remember to upload the required documentation (copies of your existing qualification(s), your CV, any other support documents etc) with your online application to expedite your application. To avoid disappointment early registration is recommended.
Ask us a Question
If you have a question about the Certificate in Irish Traditional Music Studies please ask it below and we will get back to you.
Dr Daithí Kearney
Co-Director of the Centre for Creative Arts Research
Email: daithi.kearney@dkit.ieDisclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).
