Classical Association of Ireland Latin Summer School, 2026!

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.

JACT Classics Camp 2026

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.

Book your place here (Eventbrite)

UCD Classical Society Inaugural Lecture, 2026

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:

Dr Cezary Kucewicz

Commemorating the War Dead: Ancient and Modern

Thursday, 26 March 2026, 7 pm

Location: UCD Village Auditorium (map here)

Reception to follow

All welcome!

Resources…as Gaeilge!

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Dr 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!

Classics for everyone at UCD!

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]