Courses / Module

This module offers an introduction to early Irish history, beginning with the life of St Patrick in the fifth century and ending with the death of King Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Key themes from the history of early medieval Ireland will be explored, including kingship, identity, social relations, and religion. This module provides a foundational overview of Ireland’s early history and will introduce you to some of the most important primary sources from that period. An era of violence, political struggles and social inequality, it was also a time of great cultural sophistication, when Ireland had a reputation as the ‘island of saints and scholars’. Both aspects of this fascinating period of history will be explored.