Careers
Study Irish Language and Literature. Do Anything.
What can I do with a Irish Language and Literature major?
Our students leave Notre Dame having received an education that enriches their understanding of the humanities and world culture and translates to any number of careers.
Studying Irish provides students incredible experiences in and out of the classroom. The small classes taught by dedicated professors help develop critical thinking and communication skills in both English and Irish while allowing students to engage deeply in a variety of topics relating to Ireland.
Skills you'll learn
- Effective oral communication
- Strong writing
- Team Work
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Ability to apply knowledge to real-world settings
- Ethical judgement and decision making
- Ability to analyze and solve problems with people from different backgrounds
- Global perspective from a deep understanding of a other cultures
Kristina Hamilton
Associate Director of Sales at Kodiak Cakes
“It’s not something you can learn anywhere else.”
As a first-year student, Kristina Hamilton took an Irish language class on a whim and loved it. Just six months later, she found herself on the west coast of Ireland, living with an Irish family, immersed in an intensive language program, and gaining an unforgettable cultural education.
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Kristina Hamilton
Associate Director of Sales at Kodiak Cakes
“It’s not something you can learn anywhere else.”
As a first-year student, Kristina Hamilton took an Irish language class on a whim and loved it. Just six months later, she found herself on the west coast of Ireland, living with an Irish family, immersed in an intensive language program, and gaining an unforgettable cultural education.
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Caitlin Myron
Director of Student Development, Fusion Academy
Caitlin is the Director of Student Development at Fusion Academy Oak Brook. Before joining the team, Caitlin taught English in Spain, shaped academic and social experiences for study abroad students in Ireland, and evaluated language education programs. Driving student success underpins her career, and she is thrilled to support Fusion students and families.
Caitlin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Irish Language and Literature from the University of Notre Dame, studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin for one year. After her undergrad, Caitlin won a Fulbright grant to complete a Master's degree in Modern Irish Language at the National University of Ireland, Galway, leading to published work on Irish poetry and folklore.
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Jack McGinn
Fiontar, Dublin, Ireland
“Majoring in Irish language and literature has been a life-changing decision.
It has offered unbelievable opportunities which have developed me academically, professionally, and personally.”
McGinn also received grant funding to complete two internships in Dublin and three summer language immersion programs that included staying with an Irish-speaking host family.
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Kathleen Bracke
Owner, Hallibrack Films
“Notre Dame really provided me with the resources I needed to pursue what I love."
Kathleen Bracke won a prestigious Princess Grace Award to produce her senior thesis film, focusing on themes of cultural loss. Bracke wrote the script entirely in the Irish language and shot it on the remote Irish island of Inishbofin with a cast of native Irish speakers. As an undergraduate at Notre Dame, she also received grants to work on three documentary films in Ireland.
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Rae Moors
Ph.D. student, Communication and Media, University of Michigan
“I'm still in awe at the richness of Irish history and literature, which still pushes me to investigate other cultures with the same depth of inquiry as I gave to my Irish studies. This skill is immensely useful in a globalized world.
I tell everyone I meet that they should take an Irish language course.”
93% of recent Notre Dame Irish Language and Literature students found full-time employment, enrolled in graduate schools, entered service programs, joined the military, or launched independent projects within six months of graduation.
Learn More
Send us an email to learn more about enrolling as an Irish Language and Literature minor.
Source: Outcomes data comes from Notre Dame Center for Career Development's first destination reports, 2012–2016.