Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music is a four-year degree program that focuses on the development of students' performance skills and knowledge of Irish music. The program is designed for students who are proficient in Irish traditional music and wish to develop their skills further.

Key Information

• NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
• Course code: LM131
• Duration: 4 Years
• CAO points history: 424 (Audition required)
• Fees: See the University of Limerick's website for fee information
• Subject area: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Course Director: Dr. Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh

About the Course

The Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music program is designed for students who are proficient in Irish traditional music and wish to develop their skills further. The program focuses on the development of students' performance skills and knowledge of Irish music, as well as introducing them to other performance practices and scholarly traditions.

What You Will Study

The program covers a range of topics, including:

• Performance skills in Irish traditional music
• Music theory and keyboard classes
• Ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors
• Critical encounters with Irish music and dance
• Critical encounters with world music and dance
• Performing arts technology
• Contextualising and vocational studies - music and dance education/community music and dance
• Arts and health
• Research skills: ethnomusicology/ethnochoreology/arts practice
• Special topics in ethnomusicology

Year 1

In the first year, students will focus on developing their performance skills in Irish traditional music, as well as introducing them to music theory and keyboard classes. Students will also engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors.

Year 2

In the second year, students will deepen their focus on Irish music, undertaking additional specialist modules in Irish music and dance studies and ethnomusicology. Students will also focus on vocational issues in technology, business, and education.

Year 3

In the third year, students will participate in cooperative education, where they will engage in real-world, professional environments. Students will also have the option to study abroad.

Year 4

In the fourth year, students will focus on developing their final performance project, as well as undertaking additional modules in performing arts technology, contextualising and vocational studies, and research skills.

Entry Requirements

• CAO points history: 424 (Audition required)
• Minimum grades: Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
• Audition requirements: Applicants will be asked to prepare three sets of tunes/pieces (at least one set needs to be a set of reels) or, if they are traditional singers, three songs.

Fees and Funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy, and Tuition Fees. The University of Limerick offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities for students.

Your Future Career

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music program can pursue a range of career paths, including:

• Professional performance
• Further study (MA, PhD)
• Music/dance therapy
• Community music/dance
• Music/dance teacher
• Arts administration
• Performance management and promotion
• Backstage work in performance theatre e.g. sound engineer
• Music technology, e.g. recording studio producer/technician
• Media (TV, Radio etc.)
• Work in cultural institutions and archives

Follow-on Study

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music program can pursue further study in a range of areas, including:

• Master of Arts Irish Traditional Dance Performance
• Master of Arts Irish Traditional Music Performance
• Master of Arts Contemporary Dance Performance
• Master of Arts Irish Music Studies
• Master of Arts Irish Dance Studies
• Master of Arts Ethnochoreology
• Master of Arts Ethnomusicology
• Master of Arts Ritual Chant and Song
• Master of Arts Community Music
• Master of Arts Music Therapy
• Master of Arts Festive Arts
• Master of Arts Classical String Performance in association with the Irish Chamber Orchestra
• Professional Master of Education in Music
• PhD Arts Practice
• PhD Research