In the run-up to the highly anticipated release of Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey, why not delve into Odyssey: The Podcast, presented by Jeff Wright, Canada’s 21st-century bard!? This podcast, an engaging and innovate retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, with some diversions into fascinating points of context, was awarded the Society for Classical Studies Forum Prize, which rewards “the best public-facing essay, book, poem, article, podcast, film, or other piece produced each year, either by a classicist or by a nonclassicist” in 2019. Those seeking more context might prefer to begin with Trojan War: The Podcast, wherein Jeff expertly stitches together the different strands and myths comprising the Trojan War! Happy listening!
What a year! In collaboration with the UCD Classical Museum, Access Classics once again welcomed hundreds of students, teachers and parents to UCD’s Belfield campus, and were also delighted to hit the road to visit schools, including our old friends Dundrum College of Further Education and the Portmarnock Malahide Educate Together! Whether re-creating curse tablets, handling museum artefacts, unlocking the sounds of ancient Greek or considering the leadership of Alexander the Great, the Access Classics team had enormous fun chatting with the students! Below are two key highlights from the year!
Classical Association of Ireland Teachers (CAI-T) Young Classicist Awards, 2026
Access Classics was delighted to welcome back the CAI-T Young Classicist Awards to the UCD campus, where, on 29 May, the amazing finalists presented their work in front of friends, teachers, parents and, very importantly (!), the judges: Dr Christopher Farrell and MA students Rhea Bates and Cooper Hays, all from the UCD School of Classics. As in previous years, second-level students around Ireland were set the challenge of creating a project in any medium about any aspect of the ancient world in the hopes of claiming victory in the following categories: Senior Award (4th-6th year), Junior Award (1st-3rd year), Sustainability Award (for a project connected with the Global Sustainability Goals) and the Languages Award (for a project based on/with a component of Latin or Ancient Greek).
(L to R) Dr Bridget Martin, Dr Christopher Farrell, Rhea Bates and Cooper Hays congratulating the finalists and winners!
Every year, the creativity and standard somehow increases, and this year was no exception, with entries including computer games, PowerPoint presentations, videos, creative writing, paintings, dance, music and woodwork! It was certainly no easy task for the judges to determine the winners. Congratulations to all students and schools who entered this year, and especially to the winning entrants from St Andrew’s College (Sustainability Award), Gonzaga College S.J. (Languages Award), St Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills (Senior Award) and Blackrock College (Junior Award). After the awards, many students visited the Classical Museum, handled some of the ancient artefacts and tried on our replica helmet!
Well done to all students on their fantastic entries, and we very much look forward to next year!
A very special visit
After a long day of UCD adventures!
Access Classics’ highlight this year was an event made possible by a generous donation to the UCD School of Classics by an anonymous donor. On a beautiful mid-May morning, pupils from three schools in the Tallaght area were collected by bus and brought to the leafy UCD Belfield campus. Joining forces with UCD Widening Participation, our aim was to introduce the students to both Classics and its cognate subjects within the College of Arts and Humanities, as well as to UCD’s vibrant campus. Dr Geremiah Garsha (School of History) and Dr Anthony McIntyre (School of English, Drama and Film) were on hand in the morning to chat with the students about aspects of piracy and Hollywood storytelling techniques, and Assoc. Prof. Fionnuala Walsh (School of History) brought the students for a tour of Special Collections in the UCD Library!
Students hard at work, making “blessing” tablets!
Following a quick snack, the Classics contingent took over. Dr Martin Brady and Dr Bridget Martin were delighted to introduce the students to Latin and ancient Greek through interactive activities involving Greek curses/blessings and Roman numerals! After lunch in UCD’s main restaurant (again, made possible through the generous donation), the wonderful UCD Access and Lifelong Learning student access leaders brought the students on a tour of campus, and we ended the day in the best way possible: with a trip to the Classical Museum! Huge thanks to all the students and teachers who attended and really threw themselves into the spirit of the day, and special thanks to the donor whose generosity made the event possible. Watch this space for similar future events!
Thank you!
As ever, a massive thank you to all the students, teachers, parents, colleagues (in and outside UCD) and friends for their help and enthusiasm over the past year! The Access Classics team is constantly inspired by the work we see all around us to promote Classics in Ireland, and we look forward to doing our part in the next academic year. In the meantime, please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to enquire about a school visit (bridget.martin@ucd.ie; access.classics@ucd.ie)!
As the Leaving Certificate Classical Studies exam approaches, a quick reminder that the PowerPoints from the CAI-T Leaving Certificate Lecture Day 2023 and 2025, presented by UCD School of Classics staff, are available here. Click on the image below to see a list of the talks from 2025. Best of luck to everyone sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate exams this year!!
The popular Classical Association of Ireland Latin Summer school is back for 2026!
The Latin Summer School is designed for secondary school students between the ages of 12 and 18, with little or no knowledge of Latin and/or Classics, and offers an exciting opportunity to learn Latin through a two-week immersion course.
If you are not studying Latin or Classics, but you are interested in ancient languages and history, this is the place for you! Whether you are studying Classical Studies or the new Junior Certificate Classics or not, the Summer School offers an exciting opportunity to explore the culture of the Romans through their language. Perhaps you want to improve your language learning skills or understanding, communicating and writing in English? Or you are exploring your academic future? If you are you thinking about studying Classical Civilisation, Archaeology, Classical Languages, Ancient or Medieval History, Philosophy, Religion, History of Art, Romance languages in college, the CAI Summer school is a great place to start!
Over the course of two weeks (22 June – 3 July), you will immerse yourself in the language and history of Rome and engage in a variety of fun activities, led by experienced and passionate teachers. There will be interactive and online games, singing contests, Latin cartoons, and a bit of spoken Latin, too!
The Latin Summer School offers courses at Beginners level for students who have not studied Latin before. Each course has three 50-minute classes per day. All resources and learning materials are provided. After two weeks, students will be able to read simple Latin texts and have sufficient knowledge of the language to continue studying it independently or enter a higher-level course.
The Summer School will be conducted in a hybrid format, i.e. in person for those who choose to do so (venue: Trinity College Dublin), and online via Zoom.
Contact hours: three classes/per day for two weeks
Our colleagues in the UK are running exciting summer Classics camps (students aged 16-19)!
Please see below for more information or click on the image above for QR codes.
Explore the world of ancient civilisations at the JACT Classics Camp, running from July 27th-August 1st 2026, at Denstone, UK, a historic setting in the heart of the Midlands. This program is ideal for students aged 16-19, from beginners to seasoned classicists. Through intensive study of ancient history, literature, language, philosophy, and archaeology, you’ll gain insights into the lives, thoughts, and legacies of the ancient world.
Participants will enjoy small, interactive classes with expert tutors, exploring subjects such as Homer, Greek and Latin literature, mythology, and ancient philosophy. Special workshops and talks on university entrance, theatre performances, and quizzes make learning fun and dynamic and open up pathways in Classics beyond A level. The program also offers opportunities for socialising and connecting with other Classics enthusiasts through evening events and group discussions.
The course fee starting at £420 covers tuition, meals, and accommodation, with generous bursaries available for eligible students. We also offer shuttles from nearby train stations to ensure all students can get to us easily. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge, make lasting friendships, and experience the classics in an unforgettable setting. You can secure your place by paying a small deposit on our Eventbrite page today.
If you would like more information, please see our website and the FAQ on our Eventbrite page, and feel free to contact our Course Director at jactclassicscamp@gmail.com with any other questions.
The UCD Classical Society, in conjunction with the UCD School of Classics, is delighted to announce that Dr Cezary Kucewicz (University of Gdańsk and University of Cambridge) will deliver this year’s Inaugural Lecture! Everyone is welcome, and you can register here (registering will help with planning the reception!).
The details of this year’s lecture are as follows:
We are absolutely delighted to announce thatDr Lisa Doyle (Trinity College Dublin) has been working her magic, translating some of our Access Classics resources into Irish! Huge thanks, Lisa, for your amazing work!
The following three Junior Cycle (Strand 1) resources are now available as Gaeilge: (i) ancient Greek words connected with daily life; (ii) Greek mythology and the natural world today: A Challenge (PowerPoint); and (iii) mythology bingo. Just click on the images below to download your copy (the English language versions are available under the “Resources” tab)! Tuilleadh le teacht!
The new year brings lots of opportunities for everyone to engage with Classics in UCD!
1.Ancient Greek art and architecture (Lifelong Learning evening course)
As described on the UCD website: “This 8-week course will offer a visually rich and engaging introduction to the art and architecture of ancient Greece. From Bronze Age palaces to the grandeur of the Classical Parthenon and the expressive realism of Hellenistic sculpture, learners will explore how Greek visual culture evolved across time and space. Through discussion, close visual analysis, and consideration of archaeological and historical contexts, participants will gain insight into how art and architecture reflected and shaped ancient Greek society, religion, identity, and politics. No prior knowledge of ancient history or art history is required.”
The classes will take place in person on the UCD Belfield campus on Tuesdays (beginning 27 January), 6-8pm. There is a fee for this course, and booking is essential. Secure your place here.
2. UCD Classical Society Inaugural Lecture
Hotly anticipated every year, the 2026 UCD Classical Society Inaugural Lecture is set to be one of the best yet! On the evening of Thursday, 26 March, Dr Cezary Kucewicz (Cambridge & Gdansk) will speak in UCD on “Commemorating the War Dead: Ancient and Modern”, followed by a reception. Venue and time TBC, but keep an eye here for more information! This in-person lecture is free and open to the public.
3. UCD School of Classics Research Seminars
We are delighted to announce our line-up of research seminar speakers for Spring 2026. Times and locations (Belfield campus) will be announced prior to each lecture. Keep an eye on the Access Classics website or the School of Classics’ Instagram or Bluesky for details. Everyone welcome!
Dr Mengzhen Yue (Royal Holloway) “Rendering Adultery and Homosexuality in the Chinese Translation(s) of Aristotle’s Rhetoric“ [11 February 2026]
Dr Helen Dixon (UCD) “Music in Tibullus” [25 February 2026]
Eleanor Kellett (PhD candidate, UCD) “Body of Work – Classical Athenian Perceptions of Tattooed Thracian Women” [25 March 2026]
Dr Edward Herring (University of Galway) “Mourning Glory: honouring the dead on Apulian red-figure vases” [8 April 2026]
UPDATE (December 2025): The recording of this great event is now available here. Enjoy!
We’re delighted to share a message from our colleagues in Maynooth University about their wonderful Careers with Classics event:
Save the date! You are invited to the Careers with Classics 2025
Maynooth University, 17 September 2024 11am-1pm
Join us in person, Maynooth Campus Arts Annex (North Campus) or on Teams (link below)
Why study Classics in 2025?
The Department of Ancient Classics and Careers and Employability Service at Maynooth University are delighted to announce the fifth Careers with Classics event.
Join a panel of Maynooth graduates and international speakers as they share their experience with the world of Classics at third level and career path into the professional world. This event is designed for current secondary school pupils, particularly those in their final year as they prepare for Leaving Certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate students of Classics at all Irish third level institutions, teachers, and guidance counsellors. Fifth and sixth year classes especially welcome to join us in person or online!
If planning to attend the event in person with a class or group, we kindly ask you to let us know as soon as possible. The event will be conducted in a hybrid format, in presence for those who choose to do so (venue: Maynooth University north campus, Arts Annex), and online via Microsoft Teams (link below).
To register your interest or ask any questions, please contact Dr Cosetta Cadau (cosetta.cadau@mu.ie).
Firstly, a quick reminder to all the Classical Studies sitting the Leaving Certificate exams at the minute: all PowerPoints from the CAI-T Leaving Certificate Classical Studies Lecture Day are available here. Best of luck to everyone!
Secondly, over the next few months the Access Classics Transition Year Unit will be transformed into a Micro-module, in line with the new Transition Year programme. We are excited to work within the new programme statement to help bring Classics to even more schools! The current Unit will remain on the website until the new micro-module is available. Please send any queries about the Unit to bridget.martin@ucd.ie.
Access Classics 