Ciaran McDonnell

I began my B.A. in European Studies at Maynooth University in 2004, studying Ancient Classics, French and Spanish.  I found Classics very interesting, especially Roman history. I had studied Latin at school but timetable overlaps meant I myself was unable to study it at Maynooth. I would recommend it however, as it is very useful for learning any Latin-based languages such as French and Spanish. In my third year, as part of European Studies, I studied at the Université de la Sorbonne, Paris IV. There I took classes in Lettres Classiques (Classical Arts) and greatly enjoyed the experience. I also took part in the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research, supervised by Dr McGroarty.
 
My main interest is in military history and my final year dissertation examined the tactical evolution of the Roman army in the Late Republic. After I graduated I continued with a M.A. in Classics at University College Dublin, where my thesis explored mutiny and desertion in the Roman army. I returned to Maynooth to complete a Ph.D. in History, building upon research skills I learned studying Classics. My thesis examined Irishmen in the British service during the French Revolutionary Wars and in 2014-2015 I was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute of Historical Research, London. I am currently an archivist and teaching assistant at the Irish Archaeology Field School in Trim, Co. Meath. While I no longer study Classics, I often see parallels with my subsequent research; including questions of democracy, revolution, patriotism and militarisation. I would highly recommend Ancient Classics; the staff were always friendly and helpful in all matters and with its range of topics in literature, history, anthropology, philosophy and more, there really is something for everyone.