Completed Postgraduate Research
Master of Arts by Research

Tadhg Ó Meachair (2018) Young Composers in Irish Traditional Music, 2004-2014.  Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Dillane.

Liam Gaul (2008)  The Ratigan Music Manuscript collected by P.J. McCall (1861 – 1919)  Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Aileen Dillane (2000) The Ivory Bridge: Piano Accompaniment on 78rpm Sourses of Irish Traditional Dance Music America c. 1910-1945 Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Johnny McCarthy (1999)  Music and Mythology in the Sliabh Luachra Tradition. Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Shiela Randles (1998)  The Fiddle Music of Connie O’Connell  Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Maria Holohan (1996) – The Tune Compositions of Paddy Fahy  Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Mary Mitchell (1996) –  Islands of Tradition: A Database of the North Kerry Muckross Field Tapes together with a Study of six Musicians representing five different Corners of North Kerry Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin; Dr. Nicolas Carolan.

PhD

Sophie Lee (2022) – An Investigation into the Effect of Group Singing and Group Drumming on the Wellbeing and Cognition of Persons with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease the Their Carers.  Supervisor: Dr Hilary Moss.

Ciara Thompson (2021) Mo Stór é Mo Leanbh: Story, Meaning and Relationship in Irish Traditional Lullabies.  Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Joyce.

Felix Morganstern (2021) Class, Masculinities and Sideways Nostalgia: Encounters with Irish Traditional Music in Germany. Supervisors: Dr. Aileen Dillane and Professor Britta Sweers (University of Bern).

Rebeca Tania Mateos Morante (2020)- A Dancer in the Mirror: Body Identity and Body Motion in Danza Española. Supervisors: Dr. Catherine E. Foley, Professor José Miguel Marinas Herreras (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) and Dr. Mats Melin.

Jessica O’Donoghue (2020) – Music Therapy and Fluency Disorders.  Supervisor: Dr. Hilary Moss.

Shane Cassidy (2020) – Music Therapy Assessment, Treatment and Evaluation Tool for the Physical Rehabilitation of Adult and Pediatric Patients with Acquired Brain Injury. Supervisor: Dr. Hilary Moss.

Ian Bascombe (2019) – A New Organology of Nineteenth Century Tin Whistle: Origins, Materialities, Stories and Journeys. Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Dillane.

Jack Talty (2019) – The Ivory Tower and The Commons?: Problematising Irish Traditional Music in Irish Higher Education. Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Dillane.

Fiona Byrne (2018) Investigating Evaluation of Audience Experience in the Visual Art Spaces in Ireland. Supervisor: Dr. Niamh NicGhabhann.

Jason Noone (2018) The Applications of Mainstream Music Technologies to Facilitate Access to Creative Musical Experiences for People with Disabilities: a Participatory Action Research project. Supervisors: Dr. Sandra Joyce and  Dr. Jane Edwards.

Paul Dooley (2018) Harp Tuning Practice in Medieval Ireland and Wales.  Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Sandra Joyce Paul Whittaker, CAWMS and Dr. Peter Tiernan, MSSI.

Hannah Fahey (2018) Singing Island: An Investigation into the Experiences of Classically Trained Teachers of Singing and the Changing  Landscape of Vocal Pedagogy in the Republic of Ireland.  Supervisor: Professor Helen Phelan

Mary McLaughlin (2018) Singing Between Worlds: The Portrayal of the Otherworld in the Traditional Songs of Donegal. Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Joyce.

Irene Horgan (2018) A History of Irish Step Dancing in the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, U.S. Supervisor: Dr Catherine Foley.

Elizabeth Painter (2017) Dancing Identity: Embodied Style and Aesthetics in Cuban Casino and Everyday life.  Supervisors: Dr Catherine Foley and Professor Anya Peterson Royce (Indiana University, Bloomington)

Carolyn Dike (2017) A Singing Space: Re-contextualizing Tradition.  Supervisors: Dr. Colin Quigley and  Dr. Sandra Joyce.

Francis Ward (2016) The Effects of New Technology on the Transmission of Irish Traditional Music. Supervisor: Dr. Colin Quigley.

Leah O’Brien Bernini (2016) The Neoliberalisation Of Cultural Production: An Ethnography Of Professional Irish Traditional Music.  Supervisors: Dr. Colin Quigley and Professor Timothy Taylor (UCLA).

Deirdre Kelly (2016) Interpreting the Iconographies of Mythology and Spirituality in the ‘Dream’ Paintings of George (AE) Russell.  Supervisors: Dr. Niamh.NicGhabhann and Dr Ciara Breathnach.

Gary Larson (2016)  Contesting Creativity: Choices in Competitive Clogging in the Intermountain West. Supervisors: Dr. Catherine Foley and Dr. Colin Quigley.

Eamonn Costello (2015)  Sean-nos singing and Oireachtas na Gaeilge: Identity, romantic nationalism, and the agency of the Gaeiltacht community nexus. Supervisors: Dr. Sandra Joyce and  Dr. Niall Keegan.

Geraldine Cotter (2013) Continuity and Change in the Teaching and Learning of Irish traditional Music Performance in Ennis, County Clare 1950-1990 Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Dillane

Thomas Johnston (2013) The bloom of youth: conceptualising a theory of educative experience for Irish traditional music in post-primary music education in Ireland  Supervisors: Dr. Sandra Joyce, Jean Downey, and Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Melanie Brown (2012) Musical Exploration of the Sabbath Morning Service in Dublin’s Orthodox Jewish Community Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.

Sile Denvir (2012) – I Lár an Aonaigh : iniúchadh ar an athmhíniú agus an taibhléiriú a déantar ar amhráin dhúchasacha Gaeilge in Éirinn agus in Albain i gcomhthéacs nua-aimseartha Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Dr. Lillis Ó Laoire.

Maria Escribano (2012) Rhythms of struggle : recovery, revival and re-creation of txalaparta in the Basque Country Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Dr. Colin Quigley.

Niall Keegan (2012)  The art of juncture – transformations of Irish traditional music Supervisor: Professor  Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Anne Mannion (2012) Missale Vetus: Liturgy, Paleography and Repertoires in the Notated Missal Excl3515 Supervisors: Dr. Helen Phelan and Dr. Emma Hornby.

Paul McKeever (2012) Aspects of Organ-Building in Ireland in the Nineteenth Century, referencing White, Telford, and Post-Emancipation Choral Practice Supervisors: Dr. William McVicker and Dr. Helen Phelan.

Mats Melin (2012) Percussive Routes: An Examination of the Shared Commonalities in Cape Breton Step Dancing Supervisor: Dr. Catherine Foley

Maire O’Keeffe (2012) Journey into tradition : a social history of the Irish Button Accordion Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Anemieke Van Den Tol (2012)  A self-regulatory perspective on people’s decision to engage in listening to self-selected sad music when feeling sad Supervisor: Professor Jane Edwards

Andrea Intveen (2011)  Discovering anthroposophical music therapy : an investigation of its origins and applications Supervisor: Professor Jane Edwards.

Sandra Joyce (2011)  Transforming Carolan  Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Oscar Mascerenas (2011)  Exposing the play in Gregorian Chant: the manuscript as an opening of re-presentation Supervisors:  Dr. Helen Phelan and Dr Emma Hornby.

Mel Mercier (2011)  The Mescher bones playing tradition : syncopations on the American landscape Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Eri Hirabayashi (2010) The goddess dances beyond time: an exploration of continuity through change in contemporary Japanese ritual, with specific reference to the miko mai shinji. Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.

Alison Ledger (2010)  Am I a founder or am I a fraud? Music therapists’ experiences of developing services in healthcare organisations Supervisor: Professor Jane Edwards

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2010) An Examination of the Creative Processes in Competitive Irish Step Dance Supervisors: Dr Catherine Foley and Dr Colin Quigley.

Maire Ni Chaoimh (2010) Journey into Tradition: A Social History of the Button Accordion Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Mary Louise O’Donnell (2009) Custodians of Culture: A Social, Political, Musicological and Cultural History of the Irish Harp and its Patronage from 1790 to 1845 Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Dr. Ruan O’Donnell, and Dr. Tom Moylan.

Susan Motherway (2008) Mediating the Divide: The Globalisation of Irish Traditional Song Performance. Supervisors: Dr. John Morgan O’Connell and Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Victoria O’Brien (2008) A History of Irish Ballet From 1927 to 1963 Supervisor: Dr Catherine Foley.

Matt Cranitch (2006) Padraig O’Keefe and the Sliabh Luachra Fiddle Tradition Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Lee Higgins (2006)  Boundary – Walkers: Contexts and Concepts of Community Music Supervisors:  Professor Patricia  Campbell Shehan: Dr Helen Phelan.

Jimmy O’Brien Moran (2006) Paddy Conneely – The Galway Piper:  The Legacy of a Pre-Famine Folk Musician Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin,  Dr. Nicholas Carolan and Dr. Colette Moloney.

Olive Beecher (2005) The Dance Experience and Sense of Being: Therapeutic Application of Modern Dance Supervisors: Dr Catherine Foley and Professor Helen Payne.

Anthony McCann (2002)  Beyond the commons : the expansion of the Irish Music Rights Organisation, the elimination of uncertainty, and the politics of enclosure. Supervisor: Dr John O’Connell.

Helen Phelan (2000)   Laus Perennis : the emergence of a theology of music with reference to Post-Vatican II Irish Catholicism Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Joanna Trew (2000)  Music, place and community : culture and Irish heritage in the Ottawa Valley Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Desi Wilkinson (1999)   The world of traditional dance music in Brittany : an exploration of the political, cultural and socio-economic reality of traditional dance music in Brittany 1992-1999 Supervisors Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and  Dr John O’ Connell.

Hammy Hamilton (1996) The role of commercial recordings in the development and survival of Irish traditional music 1899-1993 Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Professor John Baily.

Elizabeth Doherty (1996) The Paradox of Pheriphery: Evolution of Cape Breton Fiddle Tradition c. 1928 -1995 Supervisor: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Colette Moloney (1995) The Bunting Manuscripts Supervisors: Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Dr. Paul Everett

PhD Arts Practice

Simon Thompson (2022) A Creative Pedagogy through Mask and Clown.  Supervisors: Dr Niamh Nic Ghabhann and Dr Grant McLay.

O’dyke Nzewi (2022) African Indigenous Performance Epsitemology: Its relevance in modern creative practices. Supervisor: Dr Colin Quigley

Jennifer de Brún (2021) Ilchruthach (Shapeshifter):An Autoethnographic Examination of Self-Defined Movement Identity in Aerial Dance and Aerial Circus in Ireland.  Supervisors: Dr Catherine Foley, Professor Anya Peterson Royce and Dr Jenny Roche

Lisa McLouglin (2021) The Autonomy Project: An Arts Practice Investigation of Autonomy in a Time of Change.  Supervisors: Professor Helen Phelan and Dr. Jenny Roche

Diane Daly (2019) An arts practice investigation of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and its impact on professional performance from the perspective of a classical violinist Supervisor: Dr Helen Phelan.

Frances Gary (2018) Lived Experiences in Community Arts in Ireland.  Supervisor: Dr Niamh NicGhabhann

Michael Courtney (2018) Bridging Horizons: Cultural Understandings Through Dance. Supervisor: Dr Catherine Foley.

Cliodhna Donnellan (2018) The Phenomenology of Performance Anxiety within Traditional Irish Music Formal Performance Settings.  Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Joyce.

Kevin O’Carroll (2018) Phrased Notation – exploring a new solution to an old problem. Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.

Shannon Burns (2017) Transmitting Music Theory: a performative investigation Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.

Kathleen Turner (2017) Playing Our Way; Exploring the Role of Community Music in a Process of Social Regeneration. Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.

Matthew Noone  (2016) Reclaiming the Mongrel: Irish Traditional and North Indian Classical musical connections; a practice-based exploration of hybridisation Supervisor Dr. Colin Quigley

David Bennis (2016) The Art of Transcription: An investigation, through performance, into the transcription of music for the classical guitar Supervisors: Dr. Ferenc Szucs and Dr. Helen Phelan

Mairead Vaughan (2016) Generating States: Crafting spaces that reflect the deep kinetic and energetic relationship between the moving body and environment through the lens of a dancer, a choreographer and a performer Supervisors: Dr. Mary Nunan and Dr.  Helen Phelan.

Michelle Mulcahy (2014) Aistear: Performing Cultural Encounter, An Arts Practice Investigation of Karen, Burmese and Irish Harping Traditions  Supervisors:  Dr. Colin Quigley, Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Professor Mick Moloney.

Breandán de Gallaí (2013) Imeall-Súil: A Choreographic Exploration of the Expressive Possibilities of Irish Step Dancing Supervisor: Dr Catherine Foley.

Sydney Freedman (2014) The Logos of Sound: Chant as an Embodiment of Theology in Eastern Orthodox Prayer and Worship Supervisors: Dr. Helen Phelan and Dr. Ivan Moody.

Sharon Lyons (2014)  Ritual, Repertoire and the Singing Voice in Contemporary Irish Catholic Worship Supervisor: Dr. Helen Phelan.