The top Irish studies programs in North America

Aontaím leat, a Jerry. I'd be very interested in reading a follow-up story (Ms. Sweeney?) that tells us which of these programs teaches the Irish language and which (especially important) offers the most extensive program in Irish language study (more than two semesters of Irish).

Jerry, I completely agree with what you're saying... One of the keys to understanding a culture is, at the least, a basic understanding of its language. Without that, any course of study on any culture would be incomplete.

A Jerry Kelly: An bhfuil tú ag rá go bhfuil Gaeilge á múineadh i gclár Notre Dame? Ní raibh a fhios sin agam. Chun an fhírinne a rá níl ach rudaí diúltacha cloiste agam i dtaobh an chláir sin.

Is iontach go bhfuil an méad sin d'ollscoileanna againn anseo i Meiriceá Thuaidh a bhfuil Léann na hÉireann ar siúl acu, but there are now enough Irish Studies programs that more stringent criteria should be applied to any such evaluation. Can you imagine a "Russian Studies" program without Russian? An "Italian Studies" program without Italian? A "Chinese Studies" program without Chinese? Of course not. First and foremost amongst such new criteria should be whether or not any given program examines Ireland through an Irish lens or an Anglo lens. In other words, is the curriculum based on Irish literature (filíocht, finscéalaíocht, seanchas, béaloideas, 7rl.), society (déanmhas, aicmí, Féineachas), and worldview (cruinneshamhail) like those at Notre Dame, CUNY (all branches), NYU, and others? Or is the curriculum based on English literature (Shaw, Wilde, Joyce, etc.), English society, English conflicts, and English worldview? Is it difficult to tell which is which, or to make the choice? Ninsa, as our ancestors would say.