Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of , Maynooth

Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

This 20-credit certificate is based on an inter-disciplinary study of the origins and foundation of early Irish cultural heritage with particular emphasis on archaeological, literary, historical and linguistic evidence. This emphasis on knowledge of Ireland’s past will be coupled with a critical awareness of the “uses of the past” in the present: that is, an appreciation of how cultural institutions use “heritage” in the service of tourism, nationalism, and other projects. Students will acquire a foundation knowledge in these areas as well as the basic research tools to access relevant material. A highlight of the Certificate is the specifically tailored field study programme that provides integrated assessment of iconic archaeological sites including the Boyne Valley ( and ), the monastery at , the ritual complex at Cruachain and the . Independent study at Cultural Heritage Institutions, such as the National Museum of Ireland, are also a feature of some Modules. All of the Modules help to develop effective and efficient research, writing and study skills.

Students taking the Certificate course must take the two Foundation Modules, as well as two of the Optional Modules.

All of the Modules are open to students not taking the full Certificate.

Foundation (compulsory core) Modules ID001 Introducing Irish Cultural Heritage (5 credits/ core) ID002 Medieval Spirituality and Pilgrimage (5 credits/ core)

Optional Modules ID003 The Cultural Heritage of Newgrange (5 credits/ optional) ID004 Cultural Heritage and the Irish Literary Tradition (5 credits/ optional) ID005 Cultural Heritage and the Early Irish Heroic Tradition (5 credits/ optional) ID006 The Last : the archaeology of the Iron Age (5 credits/ optional) ID008 Women in early medieval Ireland (CM38)(5 credits/ optional) ID009 Irish for Local History 1 (LS6)(5 credits/ optional)

ID001 Introducing Irish Cultural Heritage (5 credits/ core) Outline This provides foundation knowledge for Irish Cultural Heritage centred on case studies (including Clonmacnoise, Cruachain and Fort) examined through archaeology, history, early literature and landscape context, and an introduction to Irish personal names, surnames and place-names from early and modern times.

The emphasis is on the importance of academic knowledge of the past as a foundation for the presentation and dissemination of cultural heritage for the general public. This is an assessment of the diverse aspects of early Irish cultural history including archaeological evidence, place names, the literature of places and the creation and manipulation of history in relation to some of the great prehistoric and early medieval locations in Ireland. This is centred on a series of Case Studies including Clonmacnoise, Rath Croghan (Cruachain) and (Emain ) and further interactive learning at sites such as The Hill of Tara and the Boyne Valley (the passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth).

Teaching & Learning Methods Weeks 1–2 Introductory lectures Week 3 Field seminar, the Hill of Tara Week 4 Joint seminar (with ID002): discussion and student presentations Week 5 Supervised preparation of assignments Week 6 Field seminar, the medieval monastic complex at Clonmacnoise, and the ancient capital of the legendary Queen Maeve at Cruachain (Rath Croghan) (required) Week 7–8 Lectures Week 9 Supervised preparation of assignments Week10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth) Week 11 Lectures Week 12 Completion of assignments

Assessment Presentation 25%; Independent study 25%; Essay 50%

1 Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Introductory reading Ó Cuív, B. 1986 Aspects of Irish personal names, Celtica 18, 152–84. King, H.A. 2003 (ed.), Clonmacnoise studies 2: seminar papers 1998. Duchás, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, The Stationery Office, . Lynn, C.J. 2003 Navan Fort. Archaeology and myth. Wordwell, Bray. Waddell, J., Fenwick, J. and Barton, K. 2009 . Archaeological and geophysical survey in a ritual landscape. Wordwell, Dublin.

ID002 Medieval Spirituality and Pilgrimage (5 credits/ core) Outline This Module introduces the concept and context of medieval pilgrimage and spirituality as well as its importance beyond this period. This will involve a survey of significant and localised centres of devotion, such as Clonmacnoise, , Kildare and the UNSECO World Heritage monastery at Sceilig Mhicíl, and evidence for a hermitic way of life

This module introduces the concept and context of medieval pilgrimage and spirituality as well as its importance beyond this period. This will involve a survey of significant and localised centres of devotion, such as Clonmacnoise, Glendalough, Kildare and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sceilig Mhicíl, and evidence for a hermitic way of life. Spiritual and religious themes, personal devotion, shared journeying and route ways, as well as the practicalities of accommodation, transport and physical danger will all be considered in this context. The cult of saints, like Patrick, , Colm Cille and Ciarán will be considered with particular reference to relevant hagiographical works. The legacy of these saints through the generations will also be appraised.

Teaching & Learning Methods Weeks 1–2 Introductory lectures Week 3 Field seminar, the Hill of Tara (optional) Week 4 Joint seminar (with ID002): discussion and student presentations Week 5 Supervised preparation of assignments Week 6 Field seminar, the medieval monastic complex at Clonmacnoise, and the ancient capital of the legendary Queen Maeve at Cruachain (Rath Croghan) (required) Week 7–8 Lectures Week 9 Supervised preparation of assignments Week10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth/ optional) Week 11 Lectures Week 12 Completion of assignments

Assessment Presentation 25%; short written assignment 25%; Essay 50%

Introductory reading Harbison, P. 1992 Pilgrimage in Ireland: The Monuments and the People. Syracuse University Press, New York.

ID003 The Cultural Heritage of Newgrange (5 credits/ optional) Outline This is a multi-disciplinary examination of the rich archaeology. history and literature of the UNESCO Boyne Valley Complex including Newgrange, Knowth and .

The Boyne Valley is one of the most significant cultural landscapes in Ireland and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site underlines its justifiable international status. This module provides a multi-disciplinary examination of the rich history, literature and archaeology of the Brú na Bóinne Complex including Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. In addition to the three great Neolithic passage tombs and the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic (Copper Age) ceremonial complexes this area was the focal point for the Uí Neill kingdom of North Brega and features in the tales, history and genealogies of this and other important early medieval families and tribes. The presence of heroes, like Cú Chulainn and Finn mac Cumaill, in stories set in the area will also be considered. An exception feature of the Boyne Valley is how successive generations built on and borrowed from past histories to re-create the landscape. The way in which this wealth of heritage is interpreted and presented to visitors as well as the strategies of conservation, and occasionally re-construction will also be explored

Teaching & Learning Methods Weeks 1–2 Introductory lectures (archaeology) Week 3 Field seminar, the Hill of Tara: assignment 1 presentations

2 Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Week 4 Lectures (archaeology) Week 5 Supervised preparation of assignments Week 6 Field seminar, the medieval monastic complex at Clonmacnoise, and the ancient capital of the legendary Queen Maeve at Cruachain (Rath Croghan) Week 7–8 Lectures (archaeology) Week 9 Supervised preparation of assignments Week10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth) Week 11 Lectures (history/literature) Week 12 Completion of assignments

Assessment Presentation 25%; Independent study 25%; Essay 50%

Introductory reading Eogan, G. 1986 Knowth and the passage tombs of Ireland. Thames and Hudson, London. Stout, G. 2002 Newgrange and the Bend of the Boyne. Cork University Press, Cork. Ní Bhrolcháin, M. 2011 Death-tales of the early kings of Tara. In R. Schot, C. Newman and E. Bhreathnach (eds), The landscape of kingship and cult: text and archaeology, 44–65. Four Courts Press, Dublin.

ID004 Cultural Heritage and the Irish Literary Tradition (5 credits/ optional) Outline This is an introductory study of the origins and development of writing, including script, and the influence of Christianity on this rich manuscript tradition. The practical aspect of manuscript production, illumination and writing will be linked to the study of myths, sagas and legends in English translation.

Ireland boasts an extensive and diverse literary tradition in the vernacular which far exceeds its medieval European counterparts. This module will focus primarily on this key part of our early cultural heritage. Students will explore the origins, development and broader context of the written word in Ireland and will participate in a workshop on the practical aspects of manuscript production, illumination and writing. Learning on this topic will be further enhanced through a visit to the monastic setting, Clonmacnoise, associated with the famous manuscript, Lebor na hUidre, where students can envisage the context of manuscript creation. A survey of our most important manuscripts and their contents will follow. Students will appraise these myths, sagas and legends in English translation in a series of seminars introducing students to warring gods, the Otherworld, druids, poets, heroes, kings, sovereignty and aspects of kingship.

Teaching & Learning Methods Week 1, 2, 3 Introduction to the Irish Literary Tradition (Week 3 Field trip to the Hill of Tara/ optional) Week 4 Workshop Week 5 Preparation study for field trip Week 6 Field trip to Clonmacnoise/ Cruachain (Rath Croghan) (required) Week 7 Seminar/ Assignment preparation Week 8 Seminar/ Presentation Week 9 Seminar/ Presentation Week 10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth) (optional) Week 11 Lectures Week 12 Assignment completion

Assessment Seminar participation 15%; Seminar presentation 15%; Short academic writing assignment 30%; Essay 40%

Introductory reading Ní Bhrolcháin, M. 2009 An Introduction to Early . Four Courts Press, Dublin. O’Neill, T. 1984 The Irish Hand: scribes and their manuscripts from the earliest times to the seventeenth century: with an exemplar of Irish scripts. Dolmen Press, Portlaoise.

ID005 Cultural Heritage and the Early Irish Heroic Tradition (5 credits/ optional) Outline Students will be introduced to the defining features, themes, motifs and contents of the Cycle. The most interesting tale is the Cattle-Raid of Cooley, which features a raid on Ulster by an army led by Queen to steal the great Brown Bull of Cooley. The defence of Ulster falls upon the supreme warrior-hero, Cú Chulainn

3 Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

In this module, students will explore evidence for an early Irish Heroic Tradition. This consideration will begin by introducing the most substantial body of pre-Norman narrative, the Heroic or . Through a close study of selected texts, in English translation, in a series of seminars, we will identify and evaluate its prevailing features, themes and motifs while also examining closely, its central figure, Cú Chulainn. These narratives describe a warring society including accounts of feasting, boasting, head-hunting and fighting which are reminiscent of those penned by the Classical authors. Further emphasis is placed on the landscape setting for these tales with the great Medieval ‘epic’, the Cattle-Raid of Cooley, weaving its way from the west to the east. Many of the short but numerous events in this saga centre on the naming or renaming of places. The great sites of Rath Cruachain and Emain Macha are described as lavish royal residences with the action often revolving around these, yet archaeological evidence presents a rather different view. Students will look closely at the setting of these tales and will be given the opportunity to engage with it by way of a field trip to Rath Cruachain along with the monastic settlement, Clonmacnoise, closely linked with the manuscript, The Book of the Dun Cow, where we find many of these tales.

Teaching & Learning Methods Week 1, 2, 3 Introduction to the Irish Heroic tradition (Week 3 Optional field trip to Tara) Week 4 Seminar Week 5 Preparation study for field trip Week 6 Field trip to Clonmacnoise/ Rath Cruachain (Required) Week 7 Seminar/ Assignment preparation Week 8 Seminar/ Presentation Week 9 Seminar/ Presentation Week 10 Optional field trip to Newgrange Week 11 Lectures Week 12 Assignment completion

Assessment Seminar participation 15%; Seminar presentation 15%; Short academic writing assignment 30%; Essay 40%

Kinsella, T. 1969 The Táin. Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York. Ní Bhrolcháin, M. 2009 An Introduction to . Four Court Press, Dublin.

ID006 The Last Celts: the archaeology of the Iron Age (5 credits/ optional) Outline This examines Celtic speaking peoples, in Europe but especially in Ireland, in the Late Iron Age 350BC– 500AD. A particular emphasis will be on the ‘Origins of the Irish’ in the context of archaeological, literary and historical sources

This is a formative period at the end of the prehistoric period in Ireland. Students will be introduced to the core archaeological (La Tène and final La Tène) evidence including material culture, the great regional sanctuaries (the ‘Royal Sites’), the phenomenon of the ‘bog bodies’ (ritual murder victims), and the funerary traditions. These will be compared and contrasted with contemporary evidence in Britain and on the Continent while Roman texts referring to Ireland will also be examined. Reference will be made to native origin tales as well as the early historical sources. A broad outline of the linguistic evidence and genetic studies will be incorporated into wider discussion of the formation of Irish culture and society leading up to the introduction of Christianity in the fifth century AD. There will also be a brief examination of the evidence relating to the understanding of the fifth to eighth century tensions between contrasting belief systems.

Teaching & Learning Methods Weeks 1–2 Introductory lectures (archaeology) Week 3 Field seminar, the Hill of Tara (required): assignment 1 presentations Week 4 Lectures (archaeology) Week 5 Supervised preparation of assignments Week 6 Field seminar, the medieval monastic complex at Clonmacnoise, and the ancient capital of the legendary Queen Maeve at Cruachain (Rath Croghan) Week 7–8 Lectures (history/literature) Week 9 Supervised preparation of assignments Week10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth) Week 11 Lectures (archaeology) Week 12 Completion of assignments

4 Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Assessment Presentation 25%; Independent study 25%; Essay 50%

Introductory reading Mallory, J.P. 2013 The Origins of the Irish. Thames and Hudson, London. Raftery, B. 1994 Pagan Celtic Ireland. The Enigma of the Irish Iron Age. Thames and Hudson, London.

ID008 Women in early medieval Ireland (CM38)(5 credits/ optional) Outline An examination of the role and status of women in early medieval Ireland with particular insight into childhood, fosterage, marriage and divorce, crimes by, and against, women including sexual crimes.

Using the early Irish literature including the Law Tracts this examines the role and status of women against a backdrop of everyday life in early medieval Ireland. Other important themes include the hierarchical and inegalitarian nature of early Irish society, the various types of marriage and grounds for divorce, using the extensive references to women in early literature.

Teaching & Learning Methods Week 1, 2, 3 Lectures (Week 3 Field trip to the Hill of Tara/ optional) Weeks 4–6 Lectures (Week 6 Field trip to Clonmacnoise/ Cruachain (Rath Croghan/ optional) Weeks 7–12 Lectures (Week 10 Field seminar to the Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knowth)/ optional)

Assessment Class participation 1%; academic writing assignment 30%; Essay 60%

ID009 Irish for Local History 1 (LS6)(5 credits/ optional) An interactive course that offers a gentle introduction to the , building a basic speaking knowledge and vocabulary in areas such as daily life, travel, hobbies and personal experiences. It will also introduce basic vocabulary relevant to local history and cultural heritage. As well as in-class participation, class trips and outings will form an important part of the learning process.

Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage: Arts Building, North Campus Dr Ó Dúshláine (Head of Unit), Room 18, [email protected] Dr Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin, Room 23, [email protected] Dr Eoin Grogan, Room 53, [email protected] Ms Mary Leenane, Room 53, [email protected] Ms Amy Mitchell (Department of Modern Irish), Room 55, [email protected] Ms Mairéad Uí Fhlatharta (Executive Assistant), Room 20, [email protected], +353 1 708 3666

5 Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage Field Trips

Newgrange and Knowth: the Boyne Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. The extensive Neolithic (3300– 3000 BC) passage tomb cemetery includes the three largest artificial structures in (each 80 metres (262 ft) in diameter, 15 metres (50ft) high and containing about 200,000 tonnes of material) at Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. In addition to their use as burial places the tombs were the focus of an elaborate ‘Cult of the Ancestors’. Long after its prehistoric abandonment the Boyne Valley again became a focus of activity in the middle Iron Age (1st century BC to 1st century AD) when elite graves (crouched inhumations) were deposited. In the eighth century the Knowth mound was fortified by digging two enclosing ditches around the lower and middle parts. This became the residence of the kings of North Brega, one of the most powerful new families of the Uí Neill (O Neill) dynasty descended from the legendary founder Niall Noígiallach (‘Niall of the Nine Hostages). In the medieval period (1200–1600 BC) Knowth became an important fortified out-farm (a ‘grange’) associated with the Cistercian monastery at Mellifont.

The Hill of Tara is a low, prominent, generally flat topped eminence that, despite its lack of elevation (197m [646 ft]), has commanding views over the central midlands of Ireland. The site is the most iconic place in Ireland with a wealth of associated archaeology, history, myth and literature. The archaeological complex on the hilltop includes a small Neolithic passage tomb—the ‘Mound of the Hostages’, again a reference to Niall Noígiallach, impressive Bronze Age burial monuments, Neolithic and Iron Age religious sanctuaries, and the great so-called ‘Royal’ enclosure (Rath na Ríg: the ‘Fort of the Kings) and the ‘Banqueting Hall’. Following the arrival of Christianity in the fifth century the Hill of Tara attracted the attentions of early medieval scholars; as part of the process of ‘creating’ histories and genealogies of the Uí Neill, as well as origin myths for the Irish, these writers gave names to the various monuments at Tara (which would have looked exactly as they do now): these ancestral figures, drawn from myth and legend, included Niall, Cormac MacAirt, Laoghaire (reputedly the king of Tara at the time of St. Patrick), Maeve (the legendary and infamous queen of ) and Grainne. The was a revival of interest in Tara as part of the growth of romantic nationalism in the 19th century and this attracted attention in the 1798 and 1916 risings against British rule as well as providing the venue of a ‘Monster Meeting’ (for ‘Home Rule’) held by Daniel O’Connell in 1943.

The great monastery at Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nois: ‘meadow of the sons of Nos’) is one of the most complete religious complexes of early medieval Ireland. Although reputedly founded in 548 AD by Ciarán most of the remains (high crosses, round tower, churches, early medieval graves) date to period between 900–1100 AD. Clonmacnoise became one of the most powerful, wealthy and influential monastic centres in Ireland. In this period Clonmacnoise was virtually an island surrounded by the River Shannon and its floodplain (‘the callows’) and bogland. The monastery is on an important ‘crossroads’: the north-south axis of the River Shannon and the east-west route along a glacial ridge which was an important natural route (‘The Pilgrim Road’) from the prehistoric period. Since the early medieval period Clonmacnoise has been an important centre of Christian pilgrimage and spiritual devotion. There is also an early Norman castle and the site has been a National Monument in the care of the State since 1877.

The prehistoric and medieval complex at Cruachain (Rath Croghan) extends over an area of nine square kilometres; 2,225 acres) and contains archaeological sites (burial monuments, religious sanctuaries and ritual roadways) dating from the Bronze Age to the medieval period (2200 BC–1500 AD). In the early medieval period, as at the Hill of Tara, became the focus of important literary and mythological association and was identified as the ‘capital’ of the province of Connacht and the residence of the infamous Queen Maeve and her husband Ailill. Cruachain is the starting point for the great medieval story, the Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge), which features the great hero Cú Chulainn. The famous entry into the Otherworld—Oweynagat: ‘the cave of the cats’—is a modified and accessible natural cave; this is also associated with Morrígan, the of battle, strife, and sovereignty. In the medieval period Cruachain had close associations with the O’Connor kings of Connacht.

6