Celtic Civilisation

Jacopo Allio, BA (Archaeology & Celtic Civilisation)

"As a native of Ticino, the only predominantly Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, I have a strong appreciation for the complex relationship between language, local customs and beliefs - but what fascinates me the most is how these characteristics shape the identity of a society and the way in which societies evolve. Studying Celtic Civilisation at this university has been very enlightening in this sense.

The modules of Celtic Civilisation give the student the opportunity to gain a great knowledge of the ‘Celts’ by exploring disparate aspects of culture and society in the Celtic-speaking world. For example, we discovered how making connections between languages and reconstructing those from which they originate offers us a fascinating insight into how Celtic societies moved and who they interacted with. We also engaged with the impressive literary traditions of medieval Ireland and Wales, discussing, among other aspects, why poetry was so important that one single poem could end the reign of a king.

The Celtic Civilization programme has a wide range of modules on offer and is therefore diverse enough to cater for a great variety of interests. But most importantly, this diversity allowed me to draw on a vast range of evidence to develop and enhance my analytical skills. I can now undertake linguistic, literary, toponymic, historical, and archaeological analysis and I can compare and contrast the techniques involved to develop more accurate and insightful conclusions about former and present societies. These skills are relevant in my current Master’s in Cultural Heritage Studies at University College London (UCL). I am confident that they will also be valuable to future employers when I begin a career in Heritage, which is principally concerned with critically evaluating legacies of the past."

Rebecca Grant, BA (Archaeology & Celtic Civilisation)

"I really enjoyed my time studying Celtic Civilisation in Galway. There is a diverse range of modules to choose from, including those on Celtic mythology, the Celtic languages, and the origins of the "Celt". The department also closely works with the departments of Archaeology, Classics, and History, and students often take modules offered by these departments so that they are able to study topics from the areas they enjoy studying the most.

The modules in Celtic Civilisation blended well with my other subject Archaeology, where I could see the overlapping of some topics and ideas which weave through the heart of both subjects. Throughout my degree, I was able to develop my skills in the Welsh language, to improve my critical thinking and analytical skills, and had the opportunity to explore Celtic mythology in both Ireland and Wales.

Although I plan to study Human Osteoarchaeology at postgraduate level, I really enjoyed studying Celtic Civilisation, particularly Arthurian literature and Welsh poetry. My degree has provided me with a thorough understanding of the Celtic peoples, the culture and society of the Celtic speaking world, the connections between the Celtic languages, and the literary traditions of medieval Ireland and Wales.

My experience with this course has been extremely positive. The lecturers and staff are all very friendly and supportive. I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in learning about the Celtic world, or to take it as a route to understanding Irish and Welsh mythology and literature."

Kelsey Holmes, BA (Joint Honours)

"Studying Celtic Civilisation gives you the freedom to explore the languages, mythologies, and histories of the Celts, from battling with the Welsh warriors in The Gododdin, travelling through medieval Ireland with the Fianna and St. Patrick, and struggling alongside the medieval women of Ireland.

Other modules focus on historical aspects of the Celtic worlds, questioning the origin of the Celts, and how they are perceived today. The origins of the Celtic languages and other ancient languages, still spoken today, can also be explored.

Unique to this course is the chance to focus on the role and treatment of women within medieval Ireland, which is a ground-breaking and relevant topic for today’s society.

Personally, having a focus on medieval archaeology, the opportunity to study the medieval literature of Ireland gave my studies in Archaeology a deeper and more vibrant perspective. My experience studying Celtic Civ is one which has stayed with me through my postgraduate studies. I could not recommend it more."

Eoghan Ó Flaithbheartaigh, BA (Joint Honours)

"Celtic Civilisation allows students to delve into the origins of the people that became known as the Celts. In addition, read for yourself the classical writings that record encounters and viewpoints that both illuminate and consternate our understanding of the ‘Celts’ in the ancient world. As the centuries pass explore the civilisation of the Celtic peoples as they encounter Christianity, Vikings and Normans amid the trials and tribulations of shifting and aggressive political powers. The exploration roams through the surviving manuscripts written in the vernacular languages of the Celtic people, with tantalising inscriptions from the continent augmenting our knowledge of the linguistic diversity of these people.

The second year of the programme gives the scholar a chance to take a more detailed look at all these aspects including medieval Irish and Welsh literature and the gods and goddesses of old. If the opportunity presents itself beginners Welsh is also a highly rewarding endeavour. Final year examines the lives of women in medieval Ireland, the life and work of the court poet, and will also introduce students to the subject of comparative linguistics. If the medieval period and the rich heritage of the Celtic people fascinates you, then you will find the modules offered in Celtic Civilisation highly rewarding. Celtic Civilisation works closely with the Schools of Archaeology, History and Classics to offer lots of interesting cross-listed modules."

I found all the modules that I studied in ‘Celtic Civ’ stimulated my academic interests enormously and allowed me to focus on areas and aspects of the past I was most interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anybody.”