Irish Traditional Music Performance - MA

During this programme, you will:  

• Receive advanced vocal or instrumental training from world-renowned performers and develop your performance to a professional standard. 

• Enhance your career prospects with practical skills in recording, content creation, grant writing, music business, and cultural policy. 

• Deepen your understanding of traditional Irish music’s history and style while finding and refining your own performance identity. 

• Graduates go on to perform professionally, teach, work in arts management or music tech, or pursue further study and research. 

Key Information:  

• Complete full-time in one year   

• Delivered on campus in Irish World Academy 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters  

• Submit final presentation at the end of the summer semester  

• Full-time students take 5 core modules and 1 elective modules in the autumn semester and 3 core modules and 2 elective modules in the spring semester 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Year 1 

Autumn Semester 

Core modules:  

• Irish Traditional Music Practicum 1 (MU5611) encourages creativity and individuality in performance practice. 

• Introduction to Fieldwork Methods (MD6021) introduces students to basic elements of fieldwork including its ethical principles, participant observation and interview techniques. 

• Writing and the Documentation of Practice 1 (MD6071) explores a variety of approaches to the documentation of artistic practices, with a focus on documentation through writing. 

• Irish Traditional Music Performance Research Seminar (MD6161) introduces students to current research in the area of traditional music studies.  

• Professional Development for the Performing Arts (MD6091) provides an awareness of professional development skills and contexts central to developing a career in the arts. 

Electives – choose 1:  

• Independent Study 1 (MD6051)
• Colloquium 1 (MD6102)
• Introduction to Somatics 1 (MD6061)
• Media Technologies for Performing Arts and Arts Research (MD6031)
• Interdisciplinary Improvisation (MD6101)
• Introduction to Ritual Studies (MD6041) 

Spring Semester  

Core modules:  

• Irish Traditional Music Practicum 2 (MU5612) enables students to create and design their own performance programme under the supervision of the course director. 

• Irish Traditional Music Project (MU6022) develops academic and vocational skills appropriate for the professional traditional Irish musician. 

• Critical Contexts for Arts Management and Cultural Policy (MD6062) introduces students to key concepts, practices and discourses related to contemporary arts management, production and policy making. 

Electives – choose 2:  

• Independent Study 2 (MD6052) 

• Introduction to Somatics 2 (MD6092) 

• Writing and the Documentation of Arts Practice 2 (MD6072) 

• Choreography for Camera (MD6082) 

• Colloquium 2 (MD6102) 

• Interdisciplinary Practice (MD6162) 

• Academic Literacies for International Postgraduate Students 2 (AW6012) 

Summer Semester 

• Final Presentation (MD5522) enables the student to perform a specialist repertoire at the standard of a public recital. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules. 

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8,) with at least a 2.2 (second class honours, grade 2) in a relevant or appropriate subject. 

• The university will audition and interview all applicants. 

• Applicants may be required to submit additional audio visual and/or written material. 

• Applicants should prepare three contrasting sets (at least two tunes) of traditional music, and one should be a set of reels. 

• Singers will need to prepare three contrasting songs that demonstrate the scope of their style and repertoire. 

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

International students:   

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of documents:  

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV 

  English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying.   

EU - €7,995

Non- EU - €18,000

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Professional performer
• Recording and content production
• Music education (primary, post-primary, secondary and tertiary)
• Music technology
• Arts management 

Ernestine Healy, Graduate

In this edition of UL’s Alumni Spotlight, we meet Mayo-born musician, educator, and composer, Ernestine Healy, whose multifaceted career bridges performance, leadership, and arts education. 

A graduate of University of Limerick’s  Professional Master of Education in Music and the MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance, Ernestine reflects on her time at UL's School of Education and Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and how the UL experience continues to shape her creative and professional journey.

Read more of Ernestine's Alumni Spotlight. 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions 

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Kara O’Brien, Graduate.  

“The year I spent in the Traditional Music Performance M.A. was undoubtably one of the most formative in my life. As an international student, the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the tradition, both through performance and critical engagement, allowed me to make connections and gain the skills I needed to become confident as a practitioner of the tradition.   

From building repertoire to networking with top performers, tradition bearers, and researchers, to performing with my amazing classmates and visiting archives, conferences, and sessions, the MA was a non-stop year of adventure that made me a better singer and a better human being.  

Whether you’re a long-time participant in the tradition who wants to deepen your practice and knowledge, or a newcomer looking to get your foot in the door, this is the place to be. The programme offers unparalleled opportunities for practice, performance, networking, and research. The tutors are world class, and Limerick’s central location gives you access to sessions and festivals around Ireland.  

If you are looking for a way to move your traditional practice to the next level, this is the course for you.” 

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Rebecca McCarthy-Kent, Graduate “My time doing the MA in Irish Music Performance in the Irish World Academy was one of the most worthwhile experiences in my musical life to date. This course helped me to grow and evolve as a musician both professionally and personally by giving me access to so many different learning experiences and performance opportunities. From the variety of lectures, ensemble groups, one to one classes and independent studies to the array of masterclasses with some of the best tutors in the country, this course covered such a wide range of material in the space of two semesters. Each semester finished with a performance opportunity which gave me a chance to work with other musicians and work on repertoire lists, as well as try out different venues and sound. The resources and equipment on offer to students is second-to-none, with full use of recording studios, microphones, pedals, computers and upright and grand pianos. The MA in Irish Music Performance was the perfect place to launch myself into the world as a professional musician. It was an incredible experience for me.”