College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences - Masters by Research Theses
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Item Using rational choice theory to explain the effect of the post-2008 financial crisis banking regulatory framework on the banking system in the European Union(University College Cork, 2023) Farrington, Patricia Ann; Weeks, LiamThis research uses rational choice theory to explain the effect of the post-2008 financial crisis EU banking regulatory framework on the banking system in the EU. The objective of the post-2008 financial crisis EU banking regulatory framework is stability in the banking system. However, there are many factors that affect financial stability in the banking system, not regulation alone. Therefore, this objective is a “moving target”. For this reason, this research uses the framework of rational choice theory to assess the post-2008 financial crisis EU banking regulatory framework not solely on its ability to achieve financial stability, but also on its ability to change the rational actions of firms as a public policy instrument. This dissertation concludes that the EU banking regulatory framework is successful as a public policy instrument because the individual rational actions of banks are affected positively in favour of society and towards financial stability in the banking sector.Item 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, CiaranBuilding 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.Item The archaeology of early medieval borderscapes: a case study of south-west Osraige(University College Cork, 2023) McGarry, Colin M.; Ó Carragáin, TomásThis thesis explores the role of borderlands and territorial divisions in early medieval Ireland (AD 400 - 1100), through a landscape-based case study of the southwest border of the regional kingdom of Osraige (mainly in modern-day Co. Kilkenny) with the larger overkingdom of Mumu (Munster). The study area incorporates portions of the Mumu kingdoms of Caisel and Déisi Mumu. It was chosen because previous work had identified unparalleled evidence for boundary monuments in this landscape, most notably ecclesiastical sites, some of which were later augmented by high crosses which have been interpreted as having a role in expressing the sovereignty of the kingdom of Osraige. The study considers changes in how this borderscape was used and perceived over the course of the early medieval period. Through the use of GIS analysis, the study considers the relationships between different forms of monuments and how they interacted with the borderscape. These monuments include hillforts, ferta burials, ogham stones, churches, ringforts, and high crosses. The study found little evidence for large-scale defensive infrastructure and concluded that this borderscape was not heavily militarized. Instead, military concerns were probably focused on the inner core of this kingdom and the same seems to have been true of others. In the study area, solitary ogham stones and ferta-type burial grounds tend to be placed on small-scale intra-kingdom boundaries, though elsewhere outside the study area denser clusters of these monument types occur on larger scale inter-kingdom boundaries. The erection of ninth-century high crosses at a selection of border-churches that were probably established around the seventh century, illustrates how such monuments could play a vital role in reinvigorating the role of such sites in the light of changing political circumstances. The landscape approach to these high crosses adopted in this study provides new insights into the distinct roles each of them may have played in the articulation of royal power.Item Exploring the development and integration of music in preschool settings in Ireland(University College Cork, 2023) Ahern, Leah; Finnerty, MichelleThis 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.Item 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, SiobhanThis 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.