Q & A with MA Irish & Global Conflict History Course Director, Aaron Donaghy

Aaron Donaghy is a University of Limerick professor with a passion for history—teaching, researching, and writing. His academic career has taken him to the United States and Great Britain, and he now serves as Director of the MA in Irish and Global Conflict History at UL. Aaron’s research focuses on U.S. foreign relations history and modern international history. He has received major academic awards from the European Union and the Irish Government, among others, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in recognition of his contribution to historical scholarship.

As Director of the MA in Irish and Global Conflict History, Aaron sheds light on questions or concerns that students have in this Q & A.

How does the MA in Irish & Global Conflict History compare to other MA History programmes?

The MA programme is unique in that it allows students to delve into this subject area from both an Irish and international perspective, and then work on a research project of their own choice. It is also the only History Masters programme at UL with a major focus on international relations, diplomacy, and the study of war and peace. Our modules are specially designed for students who are interested in these areas of history. The MA is therefore ideal for students who wish to research subjects such as the Cold War, the First and Second World Wars, the Irish War of Independence, and the Northern Ireland “Troubles.” The other History Masters programmes at UL will not specialize or offer modules in these areas.

The MA programme also includes a module titled “Exploring Legacies of Conflict,” which takes the form of a field-trip. We will visit key sites of historical conflict, specialized museums, archives, and memorials, for an immersive process of field research and informed reflection.

What is important about the study of war and peace in history?

The study of the human past is a large and diverse field. But few subjects are as consequential as war, which has regularly changed the course of history. A quick glance at the twentieth century makes this clear. Empires collapsed or were remodeled. Subjects became citizens. Dozens of new nations emerged in the Global South, as peoples across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean gained independence from European colonial rule. During wartime, the daily lives of citizens changed, as nations mobilized their civilian populations for battle. The enormous contribution made by women to the “Home Front” during the First World War, for example, galvanized the suffrage movement in many nations and helped to initiate change. After the Second World War, major institutions were established to help bring peace, security, and international order, such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union—all of which remain critically important today.

The importance of studying conflict—understanding its causes, features, and consequences—is perhaps best illustrated by the scale of destruction and loss of human life. Here again the twentieth century in instructive: Two World Wars which led to the deaths of tens of millions of people; a forty-year Cold War struggle that saw proxy conflicts rage across the Global South; decolonization and wars of national liberation; state-sponsored mass murder in China and the Soviet Union. And cases of genocide spanned the century—from the Armenians, to the Holocaust, through to Cambodia, Bosnia, and Rwanda.

But war also remains a feature of modern-day international life, as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrate. As such, the study of conflict resolution—diplomacy and negotiation among states—is of vital importance to historians. We want to glean lessons from the past, and see how they can inform or shed perspective on contemporary affairs.

How is the MA programme structured?

This is a full-time MA programme (12 months). There are three modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters. In addition, students will audit and participate in the Limerick History Research Seminar series, to see how historical research is practised by professional scholars. In the Autumn semester, students will take part in an archival training workshop at Special Collections in the Glucksman Library, to help prepare them for archival research.

During the year, students will work on a research topic of their choice. This will culminate in a dissertation (to be submitted near the end of the summer semester), which will be supervised by dedicated faculty members here at the History Department.

I am primarily interested in 18^th and 19^th Century. Can I write my dissertation on a topic from these eras?

Of course! The taught element of the MA programme focuses primarily on the twentieth century (in other words, the various modules). However, you can certainly work on a research project that focuses on an earlier era if you wish. For example, if you wanted to explore the American Civil War, or the Irish Rebellion of 1798, we would be delighted to hear from you and supervise your work.

What are the entry requirements? What skills or knowledge do applicants need to complete this programme?

In general, applicants should have a primary degree in which history is a constituent subject, awarded with first or second-class honours (Level 8 – NFQ or other internationally recognized equivalent). A degree in history is desirable but not essential. We welcome applications from students who possess equivalent academic qualifications from other subject areas. Some applicants may be invited for interview. More broadly, we welcome applications from those who share an interest in history and politics, the study of war, and who are keen to pursue archival research.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of a prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through English, or evidence of an English language qualification.

What are the career prospects upon completion of the MA Irish & Global Conflict History Programme?

The programme will provide an attractive opportunity for graduates considering a career in higher education, teaching at secondary or primary level, archival and library sectors, foreign affairs, or international organizations—that requires or benefits from postgraduate research in conflict history. The MA programme will also serve as a valuable stepping stone for those who wish to pursue a PhD and a career as a professional historian.