College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences - Masters by Research Theses

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2000 - 2017 inventory of extreme weather events in Ireland
(2019-01-01) Pasik, Adam; Hickey, Kieran; Leahy, Paul; Environmental Protection Agency
Globally, extreme weather events are responsible for far more financial losses than the increase in mean temperature. In the context of climate change, attribution of the ever-increasing losses from these high-impact events is still contested. Some research finds climate change to drive the rising costs while other attributes this trend to socioeconomic factors such as higher population densities, demographical shift, accumulation of wealth and exposure of assets. As of yet no systematic inquiry into this matter has been carried out in Ireland. This research compiles a dataset of extreme weather events in Ireland between 2000 and 2017 based on an applied financial threshold of €30m. The overall annual losses are adjusted for inflation and emerging trends are identified and discussed. Population change and per capita GDP are considered as important variables in this research due to their potential to exacerbate losses even without any change in their frequency or climate. Temporal trends in population and per capita GDP are discussed as well as emerging spatial patterns in population distribution. Furthermore, loss values are normalized by adjusting them for inflation, population rise and GDP growth to better understand the relationship between losses from weather extremes and societal and economic factors. The results are contextualized in relevant peer-reviewed literature and compared to similar studies carried out elsewhere in the world. This study, in agreement with similar research implemented elsewhere, establishes an increasing trend in annual losses from weather extremes in Ireland, while also demonstrating that this trend is nullified by population rise and economic growth. During the study period population of Ireland has increased by 26.4%, resulting in 1 million new residents, meanwhile, the per capita GDP has more than doubled. Larger and wealthier populations hold more assets which can be potentially damaged. Losses from weather extremes in Ireland adjusted for population and wealth increase no longer show a rising trend, highlighting the importance of population densities and wealth accumulation as key factors driving the increase in financial damages stemming from weather and climatic extremes.
A desire to succeed: exploring aspiration towards higher education participation amongst members of a socio-economically marginalised community
(University College Cork, 2023-04-25) Ó hUiginn, Stiofán; Cahill, Kevin; Dowling, Siobhan
This thesis is a qualitative interview study that examines the barriers that exist in preventing students from a background of marginalisation from progressing to and through higher education, and how these barriers can be overcome. The study explores aspiration towards higher education participation amongst members of a socio-economically marginalised community, highlighting how having a desire to succeed can strongly contribute to the ability of marginalised students to overcome a multitude of barriers that have traditionally existed in limiting or preventing their participation and success in higher education. Many recurring themes emerged from this study and are discussed throughout the thesis. Whilst research on the experience of socio-economically marginalised students in higher education has traditionally focused on negative outcomes such as – amongst others – drop-out, feelings of inferiority amongst more affluent classmates, failure to complete their degree programme, this study aims to highlight how coming from a socio-economically marginalised background can act as a motivating factor for educational success. Each of the findings sections draws on the aspiration of members of a socio-economically marginalised community to succeed educationally, in spite of challenges and barriers that exist in potentially undermining or preventing said success. This study intends to serve the greater good of equality in education by highlighting the potential of all students, irrespective of their class background, to succeed educationally with the right mindset and supports.
A systematic review of the literature on mass murder and its sub-types: an evolutionary perspective
(University College Cork, 2023) Minihane, Keith; Dempsey, Maria; King, Robert
Background: Research on mass murder commonly focuses on specific sub-types of perpetrators (such as school shooters) or sub-styles (such as mass shootings), or focuses on specific countries, most commonly the United States. To identify the recurring proximate triggers and stressors suffered by perpetrators of mass murder, a systematic review was carried out on the empirical literature pertaining to mass murder, and its various sub-types, with an inclusive criterion which encompassed research worldwide. Behaviours may be thought of as having proximate (e.g., conscious) motives and ultimate (e.g., fitness enhancing) causes. This evolutionarily informed framework was used to explore how we can understand mass murderer's motivations at an ultimate level by identifying recurring proximate stressors and triggers. Method: For this systematic review, four search engines (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO) were used to identify empirical literature on mass murder. Searches were carried out between April 8th, 2022, and April 12th, 2022. Hand searching was also utilised, and this was carried out throughout April 2022. Findings: Of the 634 articles identified, 20 were eligible for data extraction, six of which were quantitative and 14 were qualitative. Study quality ranged from high to low. A narrative approach was used to synthesise the data. Three primary themes were identified. These were: precursors to mass murder, which showed most mass murderers had identifiable stressors, triggers, or motivations. Few ''snapped'' suddenly for no reason. The second theme was identified stressors, which took the form of chronic stressors (most commonly rejection suffered by younger perpetrators) and acute stressors (such as a relationship breakdown, suffered mostly by older perpetrators). A third theme was ''age and sex differences''. Significant differences emerged between younger and older offenders, in motive, victim choice, fame seeking behaviours, leakage, and end result of the crime for the perpetrator. Interpretation: An ultimate perspective on these findings indicate that these violent outbursts are functional in nature, with instrumental and fitness enhancing advantages evident for both younger and older perpetrators, though the aetiologies for their crime differ. Status is an important indicator of mate value for males and status losses were evident for older offenders who often victimised family members, or those who had damaged their reputation (such as employers who had fired them). Younger offenders had little to show in terms of status and prestige. Their crime may act as an extreme form of status grab, to finally garner attention from those who have rejected them. This is why they are more commonly ''fame'' seekers, and often leak their plans. Both types of mass murderer may be explored using evolutionary theory, but their differences are non-trivial. Future research should focus on the writings left behind by mass murderers. It is theorised that there should be significant difference in the writings left behind by older offenders compared to those left behind by younger offenders. It is probable that attempted mass murderers are theoretically relevant and further discussion should be had as to if these offenders would strengthen data sets. Terrorism may be included in further research, considering incels recently being termed terrorists by the Canadian high court. Evolutionary theory can add to the understanding of mass murderers and should be used to supplement other theories which commonly focus solely on proximate motivations.
All that remains: a study of social identity in Iron Age Ireland
(University College Cork, 2021-01-01) O'Shaughnessy, Gerard; Becker, Katharina; Giles, Melanie
This project investigates the complex processes of cultural change visible in the burial record of the Irish Late Iron Age. To understand the mechanism of change this project will focus on the identity of those buried, examining the representation of gender and social identities within the three contemporary burial rites. The end of the Iron Age and the transition to the Early Medieval period is tied up with questions about religious, ethnic, and social identity. These manifest themselves particularly in the burial record which sees in the first four centuries AD the change between, and the contemporary existence of cremation, extended, and crouched inhumation burials. After about 2000 years of cremation burial, the introduction of inhumation burial in the early centuries AD signifies dramatic societal changes, which are still ill understood. Previous discussion has focused on the significance of the occurrence of crouched and inhumation burials in terms of what they tell us about external influences from the Roman or Christianized world. The question of how immigrants are recognizable in these burials has been widely discussed without any consensus having been reached. This thesis concentrates on the individuals buried, and what their burials can tell us about the people themselves. Over the last fifteen years, a lot of new burial evidence has come to light in the rescue excavations of the Celtic Tiger years. In my BA dissertation, I examined the context and contents of the earliest extended inhumation burials in pre-Christian Ireland and was struck by the evidence for the significance of women in these burials. My MPhil Project follows up on this evidence and investigates social and gender differentiation within the burial record of the Late Iron Age. This will shed light on the broader question of the context and mechanisms of adoption of the new burial rites and associated cultural practices. A contextual study was conducted of the new and absolute dated burial sites that considers burial mode, including grave goods, and their association in the landscape, including pre-existing monuments and burial to garner insight into the context of the adaptation of the new burial rites. This project is a contextual study of absolute-dated excavated burial sites; sites that had been previously examined and new sites that had not been subjected to this level of investigation. This approach considers the information on the buried individual, the mode of their burial, including grave goods, osteological and isotopic data, the situation of the burial in relation to other known archaeological sites and monuments in the immediate and wider landscape as well as chronological and spatial patterning of these characteristics. The project consisted of a desk-based analysis of published and unpublished primary data including excavation reports. Data was entered into a database and interrogated. A literature review was conducted to inform the analysis and situate the interpretation of the data within the current state of knowledge. Published isotope data was recorded, and the results evaluated within the context of current understanding of this dataset. The data examined was partially provided by the supervisor Dr Katharina Becker in form of a data generated in her ongoing work and added to by information publicly available from the Instar project ‘Mapping death’. A survey of www.excavations.ie as well as other sources of information on recent excavations will be conducted and excavation reports sourced where possible. There are no ethical implications arising out of this project.
Analysis of the sea surface temperature variations around Ireland's coastline 2002-2020
(University College Cork, 2022-07-13) Murphy, Aisling M.; Hickey, Kieran
This thesis analyses the sea surface temperature variations around Ireland’s coastline from 2002-2020, using time series analysis of the one inactive and five currently active marine buoys. In depth analysis of the annual and seasonal sea surface temperature variations were assessed as well as spells of maximum and minimum sea surface temperature for each buoy. Both short term and long-term causations were identified as contributors to the variations in sea surface temperature experienced around Ireland’s coastline. Particular focus on the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability, The NAO Index, the North Atlantic hurricane season and the position of the jet stream were assessed and correlated with sea surface temperature changes around Ireland’s coastline from 2002-2020. These processes are interconnected and display a proportional relationship to each other as there is a high correlation between changes in these processes and a domino effect of other atmospheric and oceanic processes that influence sea surface temperatures around Ireland’s coastline. There were variations in the annual average SST between the buoys. The buoys M4 and M5 both recorded an overall increase in mean annual SST from 2002-2020. Buoys M2, M3 and M6 recorded an overall decrease in the mean annual SST from 2002-2020. No clear connection between the different annual SST trends between the buoys were identified, however their individual location in relation to the continental shelf was a local factor that may have contributed to the variations between the buoys. In depth analysis of the long- and short-term contributors to variations in SST around Ireland’s coastline showed that the most significant influencing factors of SST variations around Ireland’s coastline were the North Atlantic hurricane season track positions and the varying position of the jet stream. Both of these factors displayed a significant impact on the annual SST variations and the spells of either maximum or minimum SST for each buoy. These factors also contributed to changes in the NAO Index, which further influenced SST variations around Ireland’s coastline. The hurricane events contribute to the mixing of waters around Ireland’s coastline, causing unstable conditions and a high level of mixing waters during negative NAO Index occurrences. The AMV signal impacts on air temperature, causing an increase in the effect and frequency of hurricane events in the North Atlantic which influence SST around Ireland’s coastline. Assessment of ongoing changes in the position of the jet stream would be a critical factor in evaluation of future SST variations around Ireland’s coastline.
Artificial intelligence as religion: an evolutionary account and philosophical study
(University College Cork, 2020-10-01) Darby, Max Hollis; Murphy, Orla; Walmsley, Joel
Religions and religious behaviours have been documented in biological and evolutionary terms. This research considers how religions emerged as distributed, de-centralised biological extensions and evolved into centralised cultural organisations. This provides a model of the evolutionary mechanisms that contributed to the origin, development, and proliferation of religions. It establishes that religions encouraged, curated, and leveraged a specific mentality that has not disappeared despite humanity’s move toward secularism. This research interrogates whether the religiously primed mind will attempt to fill a cognitive void with artificial intelligence (AI) systems in a post-religious society. This comparison provides an evolutionary account for how AI systems will use existing religious mechanisms and behavioural tendencies to develop and proliferate from de- centralised extensions of cognition to centralised cultural systems. This research finds that the scenario described above has significant implications with regard to human individuality, moral responsibility, and individual freedom. The thesis will conclude with a proposal for the necessary requirements for retaining these three features in a future where significant amounts of cognitive processes are outsourced to AI systems.
At Casey’s Altar – exploring the life and music of Bobby Casey
(University College Cork, 2024) Arkins, Conor Joseph; Mitchell-Ingoldsby, Mary; Ní Shíocháin, Tríona; University College Cork
This thesis explores the life and music of Bobby Casey (1926-2000), an Irish traditional fiddle player born and raised in Annagh, a small townland in rural West Clare, who is regarded as one of the finest exponents of Irish traditional fiddle playing of the twentieth century. Utilising an comprehensive multi-method approach, employing ethnographic fieldwork interviews, archival ethnography, historiography, as well as musical transcription and analysis, this thesis presents the reader with a comprehensive study of Bobby’s character, life and creative process. Furthermore, the repertory nature of this study, culminating in the form of a transcribed tune collection, not only illuminates complex elements of style present in his musical idiolect, but preserves his performance repertoire in the largest collection of his music in existence. The introductory chapter of this thesis contextualises the study within existing research in the field as well as outlining the methodologies used throughout the research process. Chapter Two examines the vernacular creative and social practices in rural West Clare during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, by providing an informed view of the tradition that existed during Bobby’s formative years. Chapter Three explores Bobby’s musical life from his childhood to his death at the age of 73 and how his interpersonal relationships informed his practice. Chapter Four explores the process of analysing elements of style in Bobby’s music through the parameters of pitch and rhythm, by exploring stylistic intricacies present in the transcriptions completed as part of this study. Chapter Five presents to the reader a collection of forty-nine detailed transcriptions of his repertoire transcribed from various commercial and archival recordings taken over a 40 year period. I submit to the reader, that this work acknowledges the significance of both the cultural context of the individual and the process and product of their creative practice. It recognises and is informed by existing research in the fields of Irish musical studies, Irish historical studies, cultural anthropology, and ethnomusicology. Furthermore, this study aims to contribute to the growing body of work in these fields by offering new historical accounts of creative and social practices, analysing elements of style in the creative process, and preserving of the music of one of the finest Irish traditional fiddle players of the twentieth century.
‘Both/and rather than either/or’: an insight into the real-life experiences of Asian/Irish youth in contemporary Irish society
(University College Cork, 2020-09-17) Alam, Barbara; O'Riordan, Jacqui; Ni Laoire, Caitriona
This research investigates and analyses the factors that influence the lived experiences and identity negotiations of young people, who have grown up in Ireland, in families with mixed-ethnicity. Unlike research on this conducted previously in Ireland, it focuses on young people who have one Asian and one white Irish parent. According to the 2016 Irish census, there were 62,953people, resident and present in the state who identified themselves as either Asian or Asian/Irish (CSO, 2016). However, despite these significant numbers, there is not a lot of research on multi-ethnic young people even though attention is being paid to young people from migrant backgrounds. The rationale for choosing to study this cohort of young people’s experiences stems from being the mother of three multi-ethnic children. Consequently, my position within this research is complex, in the sense that due to my involvement I have acquired an acute awareness of the negotiations that take place during these multi-ethnic young people’s everyday social interactions, based on stories relayed by my children. Subsequently, this study is conducted to try to capture the processes and events that are part of the lived experiences of multi-ethnic Asian/Irish young people living in Ireland. A qualitative approach is used to conduct the research. This approach helps to meet the aims of this research which are to unearth the everyday encounters being experienced. Evidence is drawn from two sources: focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with young people from this specific cohort. Sixteen multi-ethnic young people, seven young women and nine young men, aged between 18 and 35 participated. While their parents’ ethnic backgrounds were diverse, they shared one commonality: one of their parents was ethnic Irish, which in this context meant that they were white, and one parent was Asian. Although significant diversity was found in their experiences it was evident that issues pertaining to ‘race’ permeated their lived experiences, encompassing assumptions about colour, culture and religion. All multi-ethnic young people taking part in this study were subjected to racism based on Asian stereotypes. Their identity choices were limited and they felt marginalised to a certain extinct within contemporary Irish society due to dominant ideas about Irishness. Nevertheless, despite this multi-ethnic young people were seen to adopt survival strategies and managed their identity negotiations by challenging assumptions and negative stereotypes about the mixedness of their identities.
An briathar mí-rialta i nGaeluinn na nDéise
(University College Cork, 2004) Uí Fhoghlú, Áine; Ua Suilleabhain, Sean
Tá an saothar taighde seo bunaithe ar thuairim is triocha uair an chloig dʼabhar a dheineas a thaifeadadh ar fístéip idir 1990-ʼ94 i measc na gcainteoirí is fearr a bhí i nGaeltacht na Rinne agus an tSeana-Phobail ag an am. Ina measc so tá éinne dhéag gur sár-chainteoirí láidre ná tabharfaí tionchar an Bhéarla ná tionchar ghramadach na scoile fé ndeara ar a gcuid Gaeilge. Tá triúr ina measc gur sár-chainteoirí iad a tógadh le Gaeilge sa Rinn agus a bhí ina múinteoirí i rith a saoil. Cainteoirí iad so a bhfuil a gcuid urlabhra ana-shoiléir agus aird acu ar chruinneas gramadaí, aird ná fuil le fáilt ina measc súd a bhí gan oideachas foirmeálta. Tá cúigear sa chnuasach a tógadh le Gaeilge ach a raibh go leor Béarla le clos acu ina n-óige agus bhí cúpla duine acu san as taithí a bheith ag caint na Gaeilge le tamall roimh an taifeadadh. Ar an abhar a dheineas a thaifeadadh bhí mórchuid seanchais, scéalaíochta, amhránaíochta agus stair áitiúil. Nuair a thug Roinn na Nua-Ghaeilge cead agus cuireadh dom an taighde seo a dhéanamh beartaíodh gur saothar deilbhíochta ar Ghaeluinn na nDéise a bheadh ann agus an taighde dírithe ar an mbriathar mí-rialta mar ná raibh a leithéid de shaothar ann roimhe seo sa chanúint sin. Mar sin is é teideal an tsaothair ʻAn briathar mí-rialta i nGaeluinn na nDéiseʼ. Ar dtúis chaitheas éisteacht go grinn leis na téipeanna agus gach sampla de gach briathar mí-rialta a dʼúsáid na cainteoirí a bhreacadh síos, ansan ord agus eagar a chur orthu. De réir mar a bhí an obair ag dul chun cinn bhí eolas nua á nochtadh dom. Cé gurb iad na téipeanna atá mar bhun-fhoinse taighde agam úsáidim leabhair thaighde ar Ghaeluinn na nDéise mar fhoinsí tagartha agus táid seo ar fad liostáilte sa saothar. Is é an Dr. Seán Ua Súilleabháin a stiúraigh an obair.
Changes in practice of diplomacy 2000-2020, case study: Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs
(University College Cork, 2022) Ní Fhallúin, Deirdre; Cottey, Andrew
As the practice of diplomacy has undergone dramatic change in the first two decades of the 21st century, this thesis examines to what extent those changes have had an impact on Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs as the principal actor in Irish diplomacy and foreign policy. Interviews were conducted with a cross-section of serving senior Irish diplomats to investigate how the Irish foreign service – the Department of Foreign Affairs and its diplomats – has responded in a time of challenge and change. A study of the literature suggested that the changes to the practice of international diplomacy could be categorised under three headings – actors, issues and systems. A wide- range of state and non-state actors now participate in international diplomacy, meaning that foreign ministries engage with a far greater range of stakeholders than heretofore. As the distinction between domestic and foreign policy issues becomes less clear and as the diplomatic agenda widens well beyond the traditional areas of international peace and security, foreign ministries are dealing with more complex and cross-cutting issues than ever before. These changes have impacted on both the foreign ministry as an organisation and the individual diplomat practitioner. A review of the literature on Irish diplomacy revealed a gap in respect of how these changes have influenced the role and work of the Department of Foreign Affairs since 2000. By interviewing serving diplomats, insights and analysis were obtained that might not otherwise have been available. The research uncovered developments in the relationships between the Department of Foreign Affairs and other state actors such as the Department of the Taoiseach, other government departments, the state agencies and the parliament. Interaction with non-state actors such as the Irish public, the diaspora and civil society were also considered. The widening of the diplomatic agenda was also reflected in the research in relation to newer issues like values-based diplomacy, climate change and migration, while more long- standing areas of focus such as economic and trade diplomacy, consular work and security and defence issues were also examined. Changes to both the size and organisational culture of the Department of Foreign Affairs emerged as significant themes in the research. Finally, topics related to the individual diplomat were considered including the rise of public diplomacy and whether the characteristics and skills that diplomats have traditionally prioritised enable them to operate successfully in this more complex and challenging environment.
Cín lae an bhailitheoir béaloideasa, Michael J. Murphy: staidéar cartlainne agus eitneagrafaíoch ar an méid a chuir Michael J. Murphy le Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, le béim faoi leith ar a chín lae i gcaitheamh na mblianta 1949-1952 agus 1969-1977
(University College Cork, 2022) Ní Neachtain, Áine; O'Carroll, Clíona; O Gealbhain, Ciaran
Building on the work of Michael Briody in his 2007 publication The Irish Folklore Commission 1935-1970 History, ideology, methodology, in which he proffered the opinion that the journals of the field collectors may be the jewel in the crown of the National Folklore Collection, I put forward the thesis that Michael J. Murphy’s field journal is an important archival resource that merits in-depth study across a wide range of academic disciplines. Over the course of more than 40 years’ service as a professional Folklore Collector, Michael J. Murphy contributed more than 30,000 pages of folklore material, Building on the work of Michael Briody in his 2007 publication The Irish Folklore Commission 1935-1970 History, ideology, methodology, in which he proffered the opinion that the journals of the field collectors may be the jewel in the crown of the National Folklore Collection, I put forward the thesis that Michael J. Murphy’s field journal is an important archival resource that merits in-depth study across a wide range of academic disciplines. Over the course of more than 40 years’ service as a professional Folklore Collector, Michael J. Murphy contributed more than 30,000 pages of folklore material, including some 4,000 pages of field journal, and 1,100 photographs to the collection now known as the National Folklore Collection, housed in University College Dublin. Murphy collected folklore throughout the nine counties of Ulster, from a broad range of communities that not only had a rich store of folklore material, but were also troubled by political strife. Michael J. Murphy’s accounts of his life and work in these communities provide a unique insight into their everyday lives. This study of Murphy’s field journal seeks to keep important developments in the area of folklore archives in view throughout. It can be said that some scholars have turned their backs somewhat on archival study of pre-modern culture, in favour of the study of contemporary culture, as well as the role of archival structures and practices in the generation of knowledge, resulting in a paradigm shift which changed how folklore archives are viewed in the research community. In tandem with that, the way general archives are viewed has been evolving, thereby generating openness for the type of material stored in folklore archives. Michael J. Murphy had a strong belief in the potential of the material deposited in the archive of the Irish Folklore Commission to provide a valuable archival resource for those seeking a better understanding of who we are as people, and the ongoing provision of digital access to the National Folklore Collection creates a context that supports such a use of this material. In this context, Murphy’s thoughts on the confidential trust relationship between collector and storyteller, brought to light in this study of his field journal, provide valuable food for thought for those making difficult decisions in their efforts to balance the provision of access with the need to respect the intentions of those whose words populate the archives. This thesis posits that Michael J. Murphy fulfils several key research requirements in his field journal, in so far as he supplies a wide-ranging context for his folklore collection, with clear insights into the methodology, ethics and function of the work. As well as that, he supplies a wide-ranging, contemporary, authoritative, unedited account of his life and his work, in an area overshadowed by conflict, and about which so much has been written by reporters and historians, during the second half of the twentieth century. Michael J. Murphy was strongly of the opinion that it is on the word of the insider we should depend for an insight in people’s everyday lives. It is the word of the insider that is presented in his own field journal, brought to light in this thesis. Coimriú Ag tógaint ar shaothar Mícheál Briody ina leabhar The Irish Folklore Commission 1935-1970 History, ideology, methodology (2007), ina chuir sé cíona lae na mbailitheoirí lán-aimseartha chun tosaigh mar sheodra na corónach de Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, arbh fhiú tuilleadh taighde a dhéanamh orthu, áitím go bhfuil cín lae Michael J. Murphy ar cheann dóibh siúd gur chóir taighde domhain a dhéanamh uirthi. Chaith Michael J. Murphy breis agus daichead bliain mar bhailitheoir proifisiúnta, agus chnuasaigh sé níos mó ná 30,000 leathanach de bhéaloideas, le 4,000 leathanach de chín lae agus 1,100 grianghraf san áireamh, atá i dtaisce anois sa chartlann ar a nglaotar Cnuasach Bhéaloidis Éireann in Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhailigh Murphy ar fud na naoi gcontaetha d’Uladh, agus ní amháin go raibh stór béaloidis ríshaibhir le cnuasach ann, ach bhí na pobail sin ciapaithe ag coimhlint pholaitíochta chomh maith. Sholáthar Murphy tuairisc ar a shaol agus a shaothar a thugann radharc faoi leith dúinn ar an saol laethúil a chaith pobal na Teorann le linn an ama a bhí seisean gníomhach mar bhailitheoir. Tá athruithe in earnáil an bhéaloidis maidir le cartlann comeádta in aigne le linn an tráchtais seo. Le roinnt blianta anuas, thug scoláirí áirithe cúl láimhe don taighde cartlainne a bhain le hábhar réamh-nua-aimseartha. Chas siad ar an mbéaloideas comhaimseartha, chomh maith le structúirí agus modhanna oibre cartlainne, mar ábhar taighde, agus d’athraíodh dearcadh scoláirí áirithe i dtaobh na gcartlann. Chomh maith leis sin, d’athraíodh dearcadh scoláirí ar an gcartlann thipiciúil, athrú a d’oscail doras don saghas ábhair atá caomhnaithe i gcartlann béaloidis. Bhí muinín ag Michael J. Murphy go raibh fiúntas tábhachtach ina chnuasach mar ábhar taighde dóibh siúd a bhí ar thóir tuiscintí maidir le cé muid féin mar dhaoine, agus is iontach an rud é go bhfuil obair ar siúl ag Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann chun go mbeadh teacht ag scoláirí ar ábhar na cartlainne ar bhonn digiteach. Tá tuairimí Murphy nochtaithe sa tráchtas seo maidir leis an gcaidreamh agus iontaoibh idir bailitheoir agus faisnéiseoir, agus ba cheart an méid atá le rá aige a chur san áireamh nuair a bhíonn cartlannaithe ag machnamh ar an gcaoi agus ar an méid agus ar an saghas ábhair cartlainne gur chóir a chur ar fáil go digiteach agus ar líne, gan feall a dhéanamh orthu siúd a sholáthar an t-ábhar ar an gcéad dul síos. D’áitigh Michael J. Murphy gurb ar fhocal na ndaoine ar an taobh istigh den phobal gur chóir dúinn brath chun fíorscéal na ndaoine a chloisint, agus is é sin atá i gceist lena chín lae féin. Léiróidh an tráchtas seo go gcomhlíonann a chín lae réimhse riachtannais taighde tábhachtacha sa mhéid is go soláthríonn sé comhthéacs fairsing dá chnuasach béaloidis, le lánléargas maidir le cur chuige, eiticí, agus feidhm na hoibre. Chomh maith leis sin, soláthríonn sé tuairisc fhairsing, chomhaimseartha, shainiúil agus ionraic dá shaol is dá chuid oibre, i gceantar a bhí fé scáth coimhlinte, agus ar a bhfuil an oiread sin scríte ag iriseoirí agus staraithe acadúla, i gcaitheamh an dara leath den fichiú aois.
Citizens in uniform: an examination of the Irish military representation in comparison with European military trade unionism and the ideals of the European social charter
(University College Cork, 2019-10-03) de Barra, Ruairí; Cottey, Andrew
Óglaigh na hÉireann is experiencing a crisis in the recruitment and retention of personnel, with the crisis having greater effect on the enlisted personnel. There has been a deluge of claims and counterclaims of failures by the state to provide suitable levels of remuneration and conditions of service in order to ensure the Irish Defence Forces can meet all the tasks assigned to them by Government. These claims have played out across the national media over the past number of years. With these claims growing ever more serious, to a point where there are now claims that the national security of the Irish state could be compromised if solutions are not swiftly found to the current crisis. This thesis seeks to examine these claims by primarily looking at the industrial relations mechanisms and arrangement available to the Irish Defence Forces, through their representative bodies, and to explore if these arrangements are adequate to provide the means through which appropriate levels of remuneration and conditions of service can be achieved. Are these structures adequate in the context of recent case law, and the recent Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration scheme review? Can they function correctly while the representative bodies remain within the bounds of current Defence Forces Regulation and Government policy on military representation and military trade unionism? By examining key concepts of the relationships between governments, their armed forces, and the state they serve, the human rights of the European citizen and those of the armed forces member, a view of the importance of the relationship of trust between a state and its armed service personnel is presented here. Then the Irish military representative bodies and arrangement will be compared with the systems in place and afforded to their European counterparts, and some International counterparts, and the ideals and aspirations of the European Social Charter are used to measure the current situation, and what the future vision may hold. There is no easy answer or single solution to this complex crisis. Indeed, the current DF crisis is not unique to the just to the DF in Ireland, many other public sector workers face many similar issues. Across Europe, many militaries are suffering from the struggle to recruit enough personnel for their armed forces, as under-funding of militaries in general and the ever-increasing cost of military personnel (as a percentile of overall armed forces funding) place huge pressure on strained resources. The current symptoms of dysfunctionality within the DF representative system, may be more reflective of the larger economic challenges within in Ireland and across the EU, than a true reflection of a systemic failure. It will take great effort, determination, and co-operation to navigate the DF through the current crisis. It can and it must be done, and strong effective DF representation associations are a core part of those solutions. The representative bodies are on a par with any in the EU, with due regards to certain limitations and restrictions, and they will grow stronger and more effective as the reforms proposed are being implemented over the coming months and years. The relationships with the official side must be reset and rejuvenated, it is of vital importance to all sides that the members of the DF have confidence in the system which is meant to provide for their welfare and rights. The storm clouds of BREXIT and a possible global recession are gathering, and the DF must consolidate and be ready for whatever comes. The security of the state requires a full functioning, appropriately staffed, highly skilled, highly trained, and highly motivated DF to continue to serve the nation, as they have for decades. In order for the DF be as best prepared for any eventuality, this current crisis must be halted and brought to a swift a conclusion as possible. The volunteers of Óglaigh na hÉireann are citizens in uniform and they are proud to be the first to serve.
Connecting classroom, school and community: the role of music in primary level education in Ireland
(University College Cork, 2008-04) Finnerty, Michelle; Mercier, Mel
This thesis explores the role of music education in primary level education in Ireland. Since the introduction of the New Revised Music Curriculum in 1999 there has been an increase in the profile of music education at primary level. Principals and teachers have become more aware of the importance of enhancing the provision of and access to music education in schools and creating equal opportunities for children to participate in music. The renewed interest in providing access to music education at primary level has also led to a number of extra-curricular developments. Arts organizations, local community groups, music teachers, and musicians have become more involved in music education programs through various extra-curricular projects and initiatives. This study focuses on the classroom as the locus of the schooling system. It focuses on fieldwork conducted in two primary level schools in Cork. By entering the environment of the classroom, the research presents an understanding of the role of music at primary level and it highlights how music is ‘unique’ in the way it makes connections between the classroom, the school community and the wider community outside of the schools. This investigation of the primary school system argues that there are two approaches to the provision of music education at primary level in Ireland: the formal curricular based teaching, implemented by the classroom teacher, and the informal, extra-curricular work, involving the classroom teacher and various members of the school community and the wider community. It reveals that there are three main agents involved in the co-ordination of music at primary level: the classroom teacher, the music curriculum co-ordinator and the music specialist. Through observations and discussions with the people at the centre of the classroom, this research provides an understanding of the ways in which music education can be provided and how connections between school and community can be strengthened.
Cork Harbour Commissioners in the nineteenth century: governance, infrastructure and revenue
(University College Cork, 2020-10-08) McCarthy, Tom; Bielenberg, Andrew
Cork, the port and harbour will be examined in terms of its economic history in the 19th century, with emphasis on matters of governance, infrastructure, and finances. This thesis presents an analysis and evaluation of Cork Harbour Commissioners (CHC) from its early beginnings in the 19th century up to 1900. Like many organisations, it seems that CHC responded quite slowly to the immediate challenges it faced after it was established. It took some years to develop the harbour into a safe, cost-effective, and coherent operation adequately handling the import and export demands of the port. Improvements took place over decades rather than years, but once the necessary infrastructure was put in place the benefits were immediate. Given that the region failed to industrialise, and the population of the city stagnated in the second half of the nineteenth century, and the population of its hinterland declined, the port performed reasonably well relative to its competition in the Munster region, Limerick and Waterford, and it was better served by rail and road links and its more central location to Munster’s wealthier agricultural districts. Dublin and Belfast in contrast both had demographic advantages and greater industrial development and were in a better position to handle the expansion of Anglo-Irish trade in the nineteenth century. With a combination of borrowing and increased income from imports, the state of the harbour improved significantly for shipping coming up into the city. The period between the 1860s and the end of the nineteenth century, therefore, stands out as the critical period in the development of the city quays and the channel up from Passage, in addition to the development of Queenstown for American mails and migrant traffic. In this window, the Cork Harbour Commissioners were able to mobilise sufficient capital resources to shape much of the infrastructure of the port and harbour which we can still see today. The increase in income generated by imports allowed the authority to invest in infrastructure. It is evident that CHC was able to exploit rising import revenue from a range of bulk commodities, and this helped to place the ports financial position on a far more solid footing.
Defence planning in Ireland
(University College Cork, 2022-10-06) Crummey, Declan; Cottey, Andrew
This research explores defence planning in Ireland, establishing incrementalism as the theory of public policy that best reflects decision-making in Ireland’s defence policy. The research also establishes the institutions and actors that are involved, how they are organised and what relationship exists between them, while identifying Ireland’s defence planning model. The challenge of how a society plans for and manages defence, and defence planning as a practice to meet this challenge, has existed throughout history. Most modern democratic states maintain the ability to organise a collective military force. The procedures and processes that determine what that military force consists of, and what it can do, is defence planning. Effective and efficient defence planning is more concerned with the form and function of the future military force than the deployment of the current one. The research was conducted from a mixed-method, concurrent quantitative and qualitative design position utilising the phenomenological approach. Three (3) primary methods of data collection were identified by the researcher in this mixed-methods research design – document review, interviews, and a web-based survey. The findings indicate that structured defence planning occurs in Ireland. Defence planning in Ireland recognises specific national challenges in relation to threat perception, a traditionally low defence spend and the lack of a national discourse on defence matters. There is a clearly defined structure for the management of defence planning in Ireland from the Government through the Minister for Defence to the civil and military elements of the Department of Defence. The primary tool utilised for defence policy is a White Paper process but there is uncertainty about how this policy will be expressed in the future. There have only been two (2) White Papers on Defence in the history of the State. From a historical reluctance to formulate defence policy, incrementalism has emerged as the prevailing theory of public policy underpinning defence in Ireland. The civil-military relationship in Ireland is not clearly defined. As a result, there are different interpretations, understandings and perspectives between civil and military personnel. Threat based planning is stated to be the planning framework for defence policy but the research indicates that a combination of resource constrained planning and incremental planning is more accurate. There is influence from, and engagement with, International Organisations evident in Ireland’s defence planning but a NATO or EU approach is not adopted. A critical gap identified in the historical and current context, is the lack of clearly defined and stated threats and subsequent tasks for the military force. This should exist as a high-level policy parameter such as a National Security Strategy to which a subordinate defence policy can be nested and clear tasks and objectives can be determined for the military.
An Egyptian mummy and coffin at University College Cork
(University College Cork, 1988) Davis, Helen; Twohig, Elizabeth Shee; Taylor, John H.
This thesis is an attempt to establish the relationship between an Egyptian mummy, cartonnage and coffin. To this end, the mummy was x-rayed by conventional means and C.T scanning to discover possible a date and to discover whether there was anything unusual about it from the point of view of pathology, bandaging, or mummification process. The bandages were analysed microscopically and by chemical analyses. The cartonnage was examined to extablish a possible method for its manufacture, and to discover whether all four pieces belonged together. The inscriptions and subjects depicted upon it were drawn and photographed and where possible, interpreted. The provenance of the coffin was established, its inscriptions and art work recorded by drawing and photography and its present location communicated to the Topographical Bibliography of Egyptian Inscriptions etc.at the Griffith Institute at Oxford.
Eispéireas mná: an cleachtas cruthaitheach sa damhsa ar an sean-nós
(University College Cork, 2021-09-30) Ní Chuirrín, Nada; Gilson, Jools; Finnerty, Michelle; Ni Shíocháin, Tríona; University College Cork
Déanann an togra taighde seo cíoradh ar chleachtais an damhsa ar an sean-nós le béim ar leith ar an eispéireas baineann laistigh den traidisiún. Chun dul i ngleic leis an gcultúr teangeolaíoch a bhaineann leis an traidisiún Gaeltachta seo agus chun doiciméadú a dhéanamh ar shaintearmaíocht a bhaineann leis an gcultúr damhsa seo, shocraigh mé ar an taighde seo a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Is ar an damhsóir mná a dhíreoidh an taighde seo go príomha. Scrúdóidh an taighde seo m’eispéireas féin mar dhamhsóir a oileadh sa traidisiún beo i nGaeltacht Chonamara agus mar bhean taobh istigh de traidisiún an damhsa ar an sean-nós. Anuas air sin, déanfaidh an taighde seo anailís ar an damhsa ar an sean-nós bunaithe ar an bhféinmhachnamh chomh maith le anailís chomparáideach bunaithe ar agallamh le damhsóir iomráiteach mná ón gceantar. Labhróidh mé mar gheall ar an teoiric bhéil agus an damhsa ar an sean-nós, agus déanfaidh mé iniúchadh trí mheán an chleachtais chruthaithigh féin ar ghnéithe ar leith de shaothar Lord (1960) a d'fhéadfadh cur lenár dtuiscint ar phóiseas cruthaitheach an damhsa. Breathnóidh mé ar an saibhreas a bhaineann le heolas inchollaithe agus ar an tábhacht a bhaineann leis don damhsa ar an sean-nós. Ina theannta sin, lábhróidh mé mar gheall ar mhodhanna teagaisc agus foghlama i dtraidisiún an damhsa ar an sean-nós agus ar an gcaoi a bhfuil sé difriúil ón bhfoghlaim struchtúrtha fhoirmeálta.
Exploring Cork City's tourist scene: sites, facilities and mobility
(University College Cork, 2023) Ikani, Lucky Sunday; Holloway, Paul; Coakley, Liam
Tourism is a significant contributor to the global economy and a vital source of revenue for many countries. As a multifaceted industry, it encompasses components such as tourist sites, hospitality facilities, and mobility, which all play a crucial role in shaping a destination's appeal and success. This study was aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the tourist scene in Cork city, with a focus on tourist sites, hospitality facilities and mobility. The factors that influence tourists' experiences in the city was examined by a conducting field survey. The spatial pattern and density of tourist sites and hospitality facilities in area, as well as the accessibility of the sites and facilities were investigated using spatial techniques such as nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation, Origin-Destination matrix, and least cost path analysis. The research offered valuable insights on the current state of tourism in Cork city and potential avenues for improvement. The findings from the study revealed a random distribution of tourist sites, while the majority of hospitality facilities, such as bars, cafés, and restaurants, exhibited a clustered pattern, particularly around the city centre. The study also highlighted the importance of public transportation and wayfinding information in facilitating tourist mobility. This is especially true for the tourist sites located on the outskirts of the city centre, where most of the facilities were found. The study recommended improving public transportation options to the sites located outside the city centre, enhancing wayfinding alongside directional information, and investing in the quality of services provided by the hospitality facilities to enhance the tourist experience, improve accessibility to tourist sites, and promote tourism development in the study area.
Exploring the development and integration of music in preschool settings in Ireland
(University College Cork, 2023) Ahern, Leah; Finnerty, Michelle
This research study focuses on music in early years education, with a particular interest in children’s spontaneous musicking, early years educator’s perspectives of music education, and the role of music in the early years context; particularly preschool settings. The research study highlights the benefits of music education considering the role of music in children’s lives; also revealing the ability, potential and interests that are evident in children from a young age. The study reveals a clear understanding of the inner workings of music education within the context of preschool learning; appreciating that early years educators are the cornerstone of children’s early learning and must be supported. As part of the research, creative resource packs were designed in response to surveys, interviews and observations. The research study uses a qualitative approach to data collection, using a combination of literature, surveys, interviews and observations. The findings of this study presented a need for the integration of music training within early years courses and degrees, supports for early years educators to build confidence, access to music experts to encourage the provision of music and incentives for continuing professional development. These findings support the emergent model of pedagogy recommended by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to offer meaningful learning experiences.
Gendering virginity and violence in Ælfric’s lives of female saints
(University College Cork, 2021-09-07) McAuliffe, Robyn; Birkett, Thomas; University College Cork
This thesis examines the construction of the female saint and female sanctity in Ælfric’s Lives of Saints. Special attention is paid to the influence of the early-medieval ecclesiastical and secular contexts which resulted in the widespread glorification of the virginal status and the subsequent inextricability of virginity from female sanctity. It argues that virginity as a state is typically gendered female and that there is a conflation of virginity with female beauty within Ælfric’s Lives. This can be seen in the epithets ascribed to the female saints which often highlight the virginity, beauty, and brightness of the saints. The thesis also examines the female saint as a liminal persona, one who seemingly straddles a number of irreconcilable states. Ælfric’s treatment of the female saints within his hagiographic work has a clear reliance on the gender of the saint, with gender seemingly influencing their admirable attributes, namely sexual abstention and virginity, whilst also being used to determine how, and through what means, the saint should be treated within the text to enable her sanctification. It becomes quite clear, having examined a number of Ælfric’s female saints, that sexual violence is primarily used against the female saints, thus highlighting that violence, like virginity, is gendered female within the Lives and is integral to the saints' sanctity.

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