The Lord Mayor’s Certificate in Local Studies
Published on 17th August 2023
The Lord Mayor’s Certificate in Local Studies is offered by Dublin City Council as part of its commitment to life-long learning. The course examines the local dimension of Ireland’s past and is presented in a lively and accessible manner. As of 2023 this course will be offered free of charge. Commencing in October 2023, classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. You can apply online for the course from Monday 28 August 2023. The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 8 September 2023.
Download the brochure (PDF, 3.7 MB)
Course Aims
The course gives participants a formal and practical training in how to carry out research in local studies, with an emphasis on the history and heritage of local places, and how to write up their findings in the form of a dissertation.
Course Duration
The course consists of 100 hours part-time from October 2023 to April 2024. This comprises 70 hours class-based tuition; a presentation of the holdings of Dublin City Library and Archive; and two full-day field trips.
Course Venue
The Certificate in Local Studies will be taught under the auspices of Dublin City Library & Archive (DCLA), 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. DCLA consists of the Dublin & Irish Local Studies Library, along with the Dublin City Archives, which together contain historic collections of civic and national importance, providing unique and unrivalled public access to all aspects of Dublin’s multi-faceted history.
Course Content
Section 1: Overview and background
- An introduction to academic and community-based local studies in Ireland
- Comparative traditions in other countries
- Contemporary developments and challenges in the field of local studies
Section 2: Sources for Local Studies
- Introduction to primary and secondary sources
- Guidelines for critical appraisal of sources
- Guidance on location and consultation of selected major sources
Section 3: Presenting Local Studies
- Writing conventions
- Oral and visual presentations
- Fieldwork
Course Assessment Procedures
Participants will be required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes. In addition each participant will be required to:
-Prepare a dissertation containing between 3,500 and 5,000 words and submit this to the Course Tutor by the 1st of June 2024 (80% of marks)
-Complete an in-class document test set by the Course Tutor (20% of marks)
Course Conventions
Conventions in place for the course will include Dublin City Council’s Customer Charter and Code of Conduct for members of the public. Copies of both documents are available on request, E: [email protected]
Course Tutor
The Course Tutor for the Certificate in Local Studies at Dublin City Library and Archive is Cathy Scuffil. Cathy holds an MA in Local History and was awarded the silver medal in 2018 by the Old Dublin Society for the abridged version of her thesis on The South Circular Road on the Eve of World War I. Cathy is Historian in Residence for the South City Areas of Dublin working with community groups, history societies, schools and colleges.
Who should apply?
The course will appeal primarily to people who have an active interest in local studies and who would like to research a particular topic for a dissertation. Topics do not have to be based on Dublin – other places in Ireland are very feasible and welcome. Topics based on locations outside Ireland may also be considered.
Admission Requirements
Participants are required to have an interest in local studies together with an indication of capacity and availability to commit to attending a minimum of 80% of classes.
There is an upper limit of 16 participants. Applicants will be given places on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to receipt of completed online application form.
How to Apply
Prospective students must submit a completed online application form which can be found at: https://bit.ly/44KZVFv
You can only submit your online application between 28 August – 8 September 2023.
If you require any assistance with the online application form please email [email protected]
Please note in order to ensure as many people as possible can take part in our Lord Mayor Certificate courses, it is not possible to offer an individual a place on both courses. Only apply for your course of preference.
Presentation of Certificates
A ceremony for presentation of Lord Mayor’s Certificates in Local Studies 2023-2024 will be held in Winter 2024.
Lord Mayor’s Prize
Students taking the Certificate in Local Studies at Dublin City Library & Archive 2023-2024 will be eligible for the Lord Mayor’s Prize which is awarded for the best dissertation submitted by that class. The Lord Mayor’s Prize will be presented during the ceremonial presentation of Certificates in Winter 2024.
Course Timetable
Classes will take place on Tuesday evenings from October 2023 to April 2024 starting at 5.30 pm and concluding at 8.00 pm
Local Alumni Group
Students who have completed the Lord Mayor’s Certificate in Local Studies will be eligible to join the Local Alumni Group, which has been in operation at Dublin City Library & Archive for some years. Membership of this group is free of charge. Members give papers based on their research in a supportive setting; outings are arranged from time to time.
Abbey Theatre in 1949, Fáilte Ireland Tourism Photographic Collection