Early Irish Culture and Society | Online Course

Curriculum

7 Sections
55 Lessons
Lifetime

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Fáilte - Welcome!
Meet your instructor and find out what's to come on the course.
1
- 1.1
  Instructor Introduction and Course Overview
Family, Land, and the Home
Learn about various aspects of early Irish social and family life, including the tribe and family structure, dwellings, traditional roles of men and women, marriage and divorce laws, children and fosterage, land ownership and inheritance, and the culture of Gaelic clans.
15
Social Status & Society in Early Ireland
Learn about the hierarchy of social status, from the unfree classes and free classes to the highly skilled Áes Dana and the privileged An Nemed. Explore the distinct characteristics of each class and their role in shaping the society of early Ireland.
7
Royal Erin: Irish Kingship and Royal Sites
Learn about kingship in early Ireland, exploring the grades of kingship, the election process, hostages, rituals, royal sites, Brian Boru's Harp, and Irish kings from the 7th and 8th centuries.
9
Education & The Seven Grades of Wisdom
Learn how education was highly valued in ancient Ireland by exploring the nature of schooling, and the varying degrees of learning known as the “Seven Grades of Wisdom”.
3
From Crom Cruach to Christ: Beliefs & Spirituality
Learn about the rich spiritual beliefs and practices of the ancient Irish people as we explore the old religion and the Druids until the arrival of Christianity, learn about the unique funeral customs including the Irish lament, or keening.
7
Wider Society
Learn about the diverse customs and culture of ancient Ireland, including the 14 Ancient Names of Ireland, the use of money, the Brehon Laws, the significance of ancient Irish Bards, hospitality, sickness, health, music, art, festivals and assemblies, the origins of the MacNamara clan, and the Irish customs that provide further insight into the country's historical traditions.
13

The Seven Grades of Wisdom – Secht n-Gráidh Écna

In this lesson, we will explore the seven grades of wisdom as they relate to education in early Ireland. The Seven Grades of Wisdom, also known as Secht n-Gráidh Écna, refer to the various stages of progression a pupil went through as they developed in their studies. We will examine how a student progressed through the different grades of the filí, or poetry schools, and the curriculum of the filí, which lasted for twelve years before one reached the highest and most prestigious grade of Ollamh.

Lesson Outcomes:

Understand the Seven Grades of Wisdom and their relevance to education in early Ireland
Explain the curriculum of the filí and the different topics and skills covered in each grade
Discuss the significance of memorizing a vast number of tales and poems as part of the education system
Analyze the importance of the ollamh degree and how it was achieved through a rigorous process
Compare and contrast the education system of early Ireland to modern education systems

Additional Materials:

Lesson Transcript: The 7 Grades of Wisdom: Education in Early Ireland

Education in Early Ireland