Irish Studies

Irish studies is an interdisciplinary field that uses Ireland, its history, literature and politics as a prism through which to examine some of the most important questions about identity, colonialism, nationalism, conflict and reconciliation. Ireland's story is distinctive: a complex history shaped by colonisation, famine, revolution and partition, alongside an extraordinary contribution to world literature through writers including Joyce, Beckett, Yeats, Wilde and many of their successors. The questions Ireland raises about the relationship between culture, politics and national identity are ones that reverberate far beyond the island itself.

At the University of Liverpool you will explore Ireland as a modern European nation with a fascinating and often turbulent past, examining its role as an independent state and as part of a broader matrix of British and global history. You will study the causes of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the peace process that has served as a template for conflict resolution elsewhere in the world, alongside the contribution of Irish writers to world literature. The programme runs over three years full time and includes a year abroad, giving you international academic perspective on the themes you study.

Graduates of Irish studies are well placed for careers in journalism, education, heritage and cultural organisations, politics, diplomacy, the civil service, community relations, arts administration and international development. The analytical and communication skills the degree develops are valued across a wide range of professional contexts, and the depth of engagement with questions of identity, conflict and culture is particularly relevant in any role that requires navigating complex political and social landscapes. Postgraduate study in Irish studies, history, political science or related disciplines provides a natural further route.