Dr Deborah Hayden

    Early Irish (Sean-Ghaeilge), Arts and Humanities Institute

    Gaeilge agus fáilte

    Associate Professor
    Head of Department

    Arts Building
    Room 23
    (01) 708 3711

    Biography



    I completed a BA in Liberal Arts, with a double major in French and Latin, at Wellesley College and the Université de Provence Aix-Marseille before taking a second undergraduate degree in Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic at the University of Cambridge. I then completed an MPhil (2006) and PhD (2010) in the same department, funded by a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and a UK Overseas Research Studentship. From 2011-2013 I held a postdoctoral Junior Research Fellowship at Christ Church, University of Oxford, and from 2013-2015 I was a postdoctoral O'Donovan Scholar at the School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. In 2016 I earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Modern Irish Translation (Dioplóma Iarchéime san Aistriúchán) from Coláiste na hÉireann/Gaelchultúr. 

    I was appointed to a lectureship in the Department of Early Irish at Maynooth in 2015, and in the 2021/22 academic year I was a Visiting Researcher in the Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures at Harvard University. I became Head of the Department of Early Irish at Maynooth in September 2022.        

                    

    Research Interests


    My main research interests centre on medieval Irish, Latin and Welsh language, literature and textual culture, in particular the history of education and linguistic thought in classical and medieval tradition; premodern Irish medical writing and its wider European context; early Irish lexicography; Irish and Welsh legal tradition; and translation literature. I am currently Lead Editor of the journal Language & History, published by Taylor & Francis (https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ylhi20).

    From 2022-2026 I am Principal Investigator of the project LEIGHEAS: Language, Education and Medical Learning in the Premodern Gaelic World, funded by a Consolidator Laureate Award from the Irish Research Council. The central aim of LEIGHEAS is to advance our knowledge of the nature and scope of medical learning in the premodern Gaelic world by charting the vernacular translation and transmission of medical texts across Ireland and Scotland, ca 1350–1700. The project will integrate innovative digital tools for network analysis of all scribes, locations and texts attested in the extant vernacular medical sources of this region with detailed philological and historical research on a subset of manuscripts associated with Connacht, Ireland. It is argued that the sources at the heart of this case study shed new light on the relationship between Irish-language medical learning and other aspects of contemporary literary culture, including narrative, legal, religious and historical writing. The project aims to illuminate the social, pedagogical and manuscript context for the production and circulation of medical texts throughout the Gaelic world, while also positioning this corpus firmly within a wider intellectual framework by exploring the complex multilingual and cross-cultural interactions that shaped the development of scientific writing across northern Europe more broadly.

    From 2021-24 I am also Co-Investigator of the IRC/AHRC-funded UK-Ireland Digital Humanities project OG(H)AM: Harnessing Digital Technologies to Transform Understanding of Ogham Writing, from the 4th Century to the 21st (https://ogham.glasgow.ac.uk/), as part of which I am researching the use of ogam in manuscript sources from the medieval to modern periods.

    I have recently been involved in two other major projects that have now concluded: from 2020-21 I was a Co-Investigator of the IRC/AHRC-funded networking project Developing a Digital Framework for the Medieval Gaelic World (https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Research/ResearchinLanguages/imdorus/), and from 2018–21 I was Principal Investigator for the project Medieval Irish medicine in its north-western European context: a case study of two unpublished texts (MIMNEC), funded by a Starting Laureate Award from the Irish Research Council. 

    Postdoctoral and postgraduate supervision, past and present:

    Postdoctoral:

    Dr Siobhán Barrett, postdoctoral researcher for LEIGHEAS: Language, Education and Medical Learning in the Premodern Gaelic World (IRC Consolidator Laureate Award Project, 2022-2026)

    Dr Siobhán Barrett, A Triad of Medical Glossaries (IRC Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2020-2022)

    Dr Siobhán Barrett, postdoctoral researcher for MIMNEC: Medieval Irish Medicine in its North-western European Context (IRC Starting Laureate Award Project, 2018-2021)


    Postgraduate:

    Truc Ha Nguyen (co-supervised with Prof. David Stifter), A critical edition of Airec Menman Uraird mac Coisse (funded by a John & Pat Hume Scholarship)

    Emer Kavanagh, Concepts of magic and the supernatural in medieval Ireland (funded by a John & Pat Hume Scholarship from 2019-21 and by an IRC Postgraduate Scholarship from 2021-23)

    Mairéad Finnegan (co-supervised with Dr Michael Potterton), Dress, clothing and textiles in medieval Ireland (funded by a John & Pat Hume Scholarship)

    Dylan Bailey, Different Visions: an investigation into the depiction and perception of the physically abnormal within early Irish learned texts (funded by an IRC Postgraduate Award through the LEIGHEAS project)

    Benedetta D'Antuono, Ireland and Europe: cultural intersections and literary transitions in a late-medieval manuscript (funded by a John & Pat Hume Fellow Scholarship)

    I welcome inquiries from prospective postgraduate and postdoctoral scholars interested in working on any aspect of the literature or intellectual history of medieval Ireland and the wider Insular world.

    Research Projects

    Title Role Description Start date End date Amount
    LEIGHEAS: Language, Education and Medical Learning in the Premodern Gaelic World (Irish Research Council Consolidator Laureate Award) Principal Investigator 01/09/2022 31/08/2026 599391.9
    Emer Kavanagh, 'Signs and Wonders: Magic and the Supernatural in Medieval Ireland' PI emer.kavanagh.2015@mumail.ie 01/09/2021 31/08/2023 55000
    Siobhán Barrett- A Triad of Medical Glossaries PI IRC Postdoc Scholarship for Siobhan Barrett 01/10/2020 30/09/2022 96787.09
    Developing a Digital Framework for the Medieval Gaelic World Co-Investigator Networking grant in partnership with academics at the Universities of Cambridge and Glasgow, Queen's University Belfast, UCC, the RIA, the British Library and the National Library of Scotland. 01/08/2020 31/10/2021 39100
    Medieval Irish Medicine in its North-Western European Context: A Case Study of Two Unpublished Texts PI 01/09/2018 31/08/2020 190640
    Charlemont Grant - Grammar and Natural Philosophy in Medieval Ireland PI Travel grant to carry out work on Irish medical manuscripts in the British Library. 13/06/2018 17/06/2018 850
    AAUW American Fellowship PI Funding to support the publication of research on medieval Irish grammatical texts. 01/07/2011 30/06/2012 5000
    Medium Aevum Research Bursary PI Funding to conduct research in Dublin libraries and archives during fellowship in Oxford. 01/01/2011 1110
    Medieval Irish Linguistic Learning: A Study of Two Manuscripts of Auraicept na nÉces in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin PI 01/07/2011 01/08/2011 3475

    Edited Book

    Year Publication
    2016 Deborah Hayden and Paul Russell (Ed.). (2016) Grammatica, Gramadach and Gramadeg: Vernacular Grammar and Grammarians in Medieval Ireland and Wales. Studies in the History of the Language Sciences 125. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins,
    2014 Elizabeth Boyle and Deborah Hayden (Ed.). (2014) Authorities and Adaptations: The Reworking and Transmission of Textual Sources in Medieval Ireland. Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies,

    Edited Journal Issue

    Year Publication
    2020 Deborah Hayden (ed.) (2020) The History of Linguistic Ideas in Medieval Ireland and Wales - Proceedings of the 2018 Henry Sweet Society Colloquium in Memory of Professor Anders Ahlqvist (Language & History 63.1 - Special Issue). Colchester: [Edited Journal Issue] [Link]

    Editorial

    Year Publication
    2023 Deborah Hayden (Lead Editor) (2023) Language & History Volume 64 (294 pp.): https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ylhi20/66/3?nav=tocList. [Editorial]
    2022 Deborah Hayden (Lead Editor) (2022) Language & History Volume 65 (255 pp.): https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ylhi20/65/1?nav=tocList. [Editorial]
    2021 Deborah Hayden (Lead Editor) (2021) Language & History Volume 64 (220 pp.): https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ylhi20/64/1?nav=tocList. [Editorial] [Link]
    2020 Deborah Hayden (Lead Editor) (2020) Language & History Volume 63 (239 pp.): https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ylhi20/63/1?nav=tocList. [Editorial] [Link]

    Peer Reviewed Journal

    Year Publication
    2022 Deborah Hayden and David Stifter (2022) 'The Lexicography and Etymology of OIr. eclas'. North American Journal of Celtic Studies, 6 (2):236-250. [Full-Text]
    2022 Hayden D. (2022) 'Old English in the Irish Charms'. Speculum, 97 (2):349-376. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2021 Hayden D. (2021) 'Medieval Irish Medical Verse in the Nineteenth Century: Some Evidence from Material Culture'. Irish Historical Studies, 45 (168):159-177. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) 'A Sixteenth-century Irish Collection of Remedies for Ailments of the Male Reproductive Organs'. Celtica, 33 :248-276. [Full-Text]
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) 'The Lexicon of Pulmonary Ailment in Some Medieval Irish Medical Texts'. Zeitschrift fur Celtische Philologie, 66 :105-129. [Link] [Full-Text]
    2019 Hayden D. (2019) 'Attribution and Authority in a Medieval Irish Medical Compendium'. Studia Hibernica, (45):19-51. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) 'A Versified Cure for Headache and Some Lexicographical Notes'. KELTISCHE FORSCHUNGEN, 8 :7-22. [Link] https://doi.org/10.25365/kf-8-2019-7-22 [Full-Text]
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) 'A Medieval Irish Commentary on the Magister'. Celtica, 29 :90-108. [Full-Text]
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) 'On the Meaning of Two Medieval Irish Medical Terms: derg dásachtach and rúad (fh)rasach'. ÉRIU, 64 :1-21. [Full-Text]
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) 'Poetic Law and the Medieval Irish Linguist: Contextualising the Vices and Virtues of Verse Composition in Auraicept na nÉces'. Language and History, 54 (1):1-34. [Full-Text]

    Book Chapter

    Year Publication
    2024 Deborah Hayden (2024) 'The Context and Obscure Language of Medical Charms in a Sixteenth-century Irish Remedy Book: Four Case Studies' In: Obscuritas in Medieval Irish and Welsh Literature. Dublin : Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 'Orthaí, deasghnátha agus galair na mban i lámhscríbhinní leighis na Gaeilge' In: Léann Feimineach agus Inscne na Gaeilge (Léachtaí Cholm Cille 53). Má Nuad : An Sagart.
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 'Auraicept na nÉces and the Art of Medicine' In: Glossing Practice: Comparative Perspectives. Lanham, MD : Lexington Books.
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 'From the “King of the Waters” to Curative Manuscripts: Water and Medicine in Medieval Irish Textual Culture' In: An Interdisciplinary Study of the Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air. Leiden : Brill.
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 'Auraicept na nÉces and the Study of Language in the Book of Uí Mhaine: Textual Transmission and Scribal Context' In: The Book of Uí Mhaine/Leabhar Uí Mhaine. Dublin : Royal Irish Academy.
    2020 Deborah Hayden (2020) 'Téacs leighis ó thuaisceart Chonnacht: comhthéacs, foinsí agus struchtúr' In: Téamaí agus Tionscadail Taighde (Léachtaí Cholm Cille 50). Maynooth : An Sagart.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) 'Three Versified Medical Recipes Invoking Dían Cécht' In: Fír Fesso: A Festschrift for Neil McLeod. Sydeny : Celtic Studies Foundation, University of Sydney. [Full-Text]
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) 'The Book of Ballymote and the Grammar of Irish' In: The Book of Ballymote/Leabhar Bhaile an Mhóta. Dublin : Royal Irish Academy.
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) 'A Medieval Irish Dialogue between Priscian and Donatus on the Categories of Questions' In: Dá dTrian Feasa Fiafraighidh: Essays on the Irish Grammatical and Metrical Tradition. Dublin : Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
    2016 Deborah Hayden (2016) 'Observations on the 'Doors of Death' in a Medieval Irish Medical Catechism'' In: Rosa Anglica: Reassessments. London : Irish Texts Society Subsidiary Series 28. [Full-Text]
    2016 Deborah Hayden and Paul Russell (2016) 'Editors' Introduction' In: Grammatica, Gramadach and Gramadeg: Vernacular Grammar and Grammarians in Medieval Ireland and Wales. Amsterdam/Philadelphia : John Benjamins.
    2016 Deborah Hayden (2016) 'Cryptography and the Alphabet in the 'Book of Ádhamh Ó Cianáin'' In: Grammatica, Gramadach and Gramadeg: Vernacular Grammar and Grammarians in Medieval Ireland and Wales. Amsterdam/Philadelphia : John Benjamins. [Full-Text]
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) 'Anatomical Metaphor in Auraicept na nÉces' In: Authorities and Adaptations: The Reworking and Transmission of Textual Sources in Medieval Ireland. Dublin : Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. [Full-Text]
    2014 Elizabeth Boyle and Deborah Hayden (2014) 'Introduction: Authority and Adaptation in Medieval Ireland' In: Authorities and Adaptations: The Reworking and Transmission of Textual Sources in Medieval Ireland. Dublin : Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) 'Some Notes on the Transmission of Auraicept na nÉces' In: Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium 32. Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press. [Full-Text]
    2013 Deborah Hayden (2013) 'Two Fragments of Auraicept na nÉces in the Irish Franciscan Archive: Context and Content' In: Celts and their Cultures at Home and Abroad: A Festschrift for Malcolm Broun. Sydney : Sydney Series in Celtic Studies 15.

    Electronic Publication

    Year Publication
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) Language and Linguistics in Medieval Europe (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics). [Electronic Publication] [Link]

    Blog

    Year Publication
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) Ogam script in Irish medical tradition. [Blog] https://ogham.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/2023/03/24/ogam-script-in-irish-medical-tradition/
    2023 (2023) 'Byrhtferth's ogam signature' and Oxford, St John's College MS 17. [Blog] [Link]
    2022 (2022) Ogam and trees. [Blog] [Link]
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) In Lebor Ogaim, 'The Book of Ogam'. [Blog] [Link] https://ogham.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/2022/06/29/in-lebor-ogaim-the-book-of-ogam/
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) Ogam script in the RIA Library collections (Royal Irish Academy Library blog). Dublin: [Blog] [Link] https://www.ria.ie/news/library-library-blog/ogam-script-ria-library-collections
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) The origins of manuscript ogam and medieval Irish grammatical tradition. [Blog] [Link] https://ogham.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/2022/01/05/the-origins-of-manuscript-ogam-and-medieval-irish-grammatical-tradition/
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) What was it like to go to the doctor in medieval Ireland? (RTÉ Brainstorm). [Blog] [Link]

    Published Report

    Year Publication
    2022 Stifter, David, Nina Cnockaert-Guillou, Beatrix Färber, Deborah Hayden, Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, Joanna Tucker and Christopher Guy Yocum (2022) Developing a Digital Framework for the Medieval Gaelic World: Project Report. IRC/AHRC, . [Link] https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/15674/
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) Medieval Irish Medicine in its North-western European Context: A Case Study of Two Unpublished Texts (MIMNEC): Project Report. Kelten, . [Link] https://kelten.vanhamel.nl/k89-2021-hayden-mimnec-irish-charms

    Book Review

    Year Publication
    2021 Rachel Moss, Felicity O’Mahony and Jane Maxwell (eds) (2021) An Insular Odyssey. Manuscript Culture in Early Christian Ireland and Beyond. [Book Review] [Link]
    2021 Daniel, Henry; E. Ruth Harvey, M. Teresa Tavormina, and Sarah Star (2021) Liber Uricrisiarum: A Reading Edition. [Book Review] [Link]
    2020 Caoimhín Breatnach, Meidhbhín Ní Urdáil and Gordon Ó Riain (2020) Lorg na Leabhar: A Festschrift for Pádraig A. Breatnach. [Book Review]
    2020 Steven J. Livesey (2020) Science in the Monastery: Texts, Manuscripts and Learning at Saint-Bertin. [Book Review]
    2020 Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair (2020) Anathomia Gydo. [Book Review]
    2020 Pádraic Moran (2020) De Origine Scoticae Linguae (O'Mulconry's Glossary): An Early Irish Linguistic Tract, Edited with a Related Glossary, Irsan. CHICAGO: [Book Review] [DOI]
    2019 Elke Krotz and Michael M. Gorman (2019) Grammatical Works Attributed to Peter of Pisa, Charlemagne's Tutor. HOBOKEN: [Book Review] [DOI]
    2017 Aidan Doyle and Kevin Murray (2017) In Dialogue with the Agallamh. Essays in Honour of Sean O Coileain. EDINBURGH: [Book Review] [DOI]
    2017 Elva Johnston (2017) Literacy and Identity in Early Medieval Ireland. [Book Review]
    2016 Eoin Mac Cárthaigh (2016) The Art of Bardic Poetry. A New Edition of Irish Grammatical Tracts I. ABERYSTWYTH: [Book Review]
    2015 Sarah Sheehan, Joanne Findon and Westley Follett (2015) Gablánach in scélaigecht: Celtic Studies in Honour of Ann Dooley. [Book Review]
    2014 Dónall Ó Baoill, Donncha Ó hAodha and Nollaig Ó Muraíle (2014) Saltair saíochta, sanasaíochta agus seanchais: a Festschrift for Gearóid Mac Eoin. [Book Review]
    2012 James Acken (2012) Structure and Interpretation in the Auraicept na nÉces. [Book Review]

    Biographical-Item

    Year Publication
    2020 Hayden, D (2020) Anders Ahlqvist (17 February 1945-23 August 2018) IN MEMORIAM. ABINGDON: [Biographical-Item] [DOI]

    Conference Contribution

    Year Publication
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 42nd Harvard Celtic Colloquium Language, Education and Medical Learning in the Premodern Gaelic World: An introduction to the LEIGHEAS project Harvard University, .
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 17th International Congress of Celtic Studies Theory, practice and the problem of medieval Irish medicine Utrecht University, .
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) 17th International Congress of Celtic Studies Ogam and Irish medicine: Observations on 'The Minchin Manuscript' (NLS MS 50.3.11) Utrecht University, .
    2023 Deborah Hayden (2023) Fertility, Medicine and the Body: Theory and Practice across the Premodern World An Irish fertility ritual in its Insular context Centre for the Study of Medicine and the Body in the Renaissance, Domus Comeliana, Pisa, Italy, .
    2022 Deborah Hayden and David Stifter (2022) OG(H)AM Annual Tionól Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, .
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) Workshop on Medieval Medicine Charms, rituals and women's medicine in medieval Ireland Maynooth University, .
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) Léachtaí Cholm Cille 2022: Léann Feimineach agus Inscne na Gaeilge Orthaí, deasghnátha agus galair na mban i lámhscríbhinní leighis na Gaeilge Maynooth University, .
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University Medical learning in the medieval Irish classroom Harvard University, .
    2022 Deborah Hayden (2022) Celtic Studies Association of North America Online Lecture Series Lovers, lovesickness and medical learning in medieval Irish literature: the case of Serglige Con Culainn Zoom, 14/02/2022-.
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) Joint Celtic Seminar of Oxford University/The Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth Cryptography, linguistic origin legends and medical education in medieval Ireland Zoom, 25/11/2021-.
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) Early Modern Working Group, University of Connecticut Multilingualism, translation and medical learning in medieval Ireland University of Connecticut, 18/11/2021-.
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) The Marburg Celtic Seminar Textual transfer, multilingualism and medical learning in medieval Ireland Phillips-Universität Marburg, .
    2021 Deborah Hayden (2021) Developing a Digital Framework for the Medieval Gaelic World - Workshop 3 Roundtable on 'Use and Experiences of Digital Resources in Teaching' University College Cork (via Zoom), .
    2021 Deborah Hayden & David Stifter (2021) Developing a Digital Framework for the Medieval Gaelic World - Workshop 2 Representing Texts: from Material to Digital Maynooth University (virtual), 21/01/2021-22/01/2021.
    2020 Deborah Hayden (2020) A Brehon Lawyer’s School in Sixteenth-Century Ireland Language and the learned disciplines in the 'Book of Domhnall Ó Duibhdábhoireann' NUI Galway, 25/01/2020-.
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) Humanities and Medicine Seminar Poetry, pedagogy and translation in medieval Ireland: evidence from the Irish-language medical manuscripts University of Limerick, 04/12/2019-.
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) Classical and Medieval Cultures Seminar Old English in the Irish Charms Queen's University Belfast, 24/10/2019-.
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) 16th International Congress of Celtic Studies A survey of charms in a sixteenth-century Irish medical compendium Bangor University, 26/07/2019-.
    2019 Deborah Hayden and Siobhán Barrett (2019) Medieval Manuscripts Meet Modern Science: A Workshop on Theory and Practice Herbal remedies in a medieval Irish medical compendium: context and challenges University of Nottingham, .
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) 'To frighten off the rude and ignorant?' Intentional obscuritas in medieval Irish and Welsh literature (650-1650) Charms and obscure language in a medieval Irish book of remedies Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, .
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) Léachtaí Cholm Cille Lámhscríbhinn leighis ó thuaisceart Chonnacht: foinsí, comhthéacs agus dúshláin Maynooth University, .
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) Annual Meeting of the Celtic Studies Association of North America A medieval Irish book of remedies from North Connacht: sources, structure and purpose Harvard University, .
    2019 Deborah Hayden (2019) Conference on the Book of Ballycummin Wisdom literature in RIA MS 23 N 10 Royal Irish Academy, .
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Science and Medicine in the Insular Middle Ages The poetry of healing in a medieval Irish medical compendium Queen's University Belfast, 07/12/2018-.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Rathcroghan Winter Lecture Series Myth and poetry in a medieval medical manuscript from North Connacht Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, 15/11/2018-.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Annual Tionól Auraicept na nÉces and the Ars medicine Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, .
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Maynooth University Research Week Myth, poetry and medicine in medieval Ireland Maynooth University, .
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Maynooth University, Ireland, 05/09/2018-08/09/2018.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) UCD/TCD/MU Postgraduate Medievalists' Day UCD/TCD/MU Postgraduate Medievalists' Day Maynooth University, 19/05/2018-.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Healing Charms and Medicine A medieval Irish collection of medical poems Harvard University, 06/04/2018-.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Maynooth Classics Seminar Galen and the early Irish gods Maynooth University, 09/03/2018-.
    2018 Deborah Hayden (2018) Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Seminar Myth, law and medical writing in medieval Ireland UCD, 26/01/2018-.
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) 37th Annual Harvard Celtic Colloquium The terminology of anatomy and disease in two medieval Irish medical compendia Harvard University, 05/10/2017-08/10/2017.
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) Workshop on Comparative Glossing Practices, Fourteenth International Conference on the History of the Language Sciences Auraicept na nÉces and natural philosophy Paris, France, 28/08/2017-01/09/2017.
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) 31st Irish Conference of Medievalists Attribution and authority in a medieval Irish medical compendium Maynooth, Ireland, 29/06/2017-01/07/2017.
    2017 Deborah Hayden (2017) The Book of Uí Mhaine: A Conference at the Royal Irish Academy Auraicept na nÉces and the study of language in the Book of Uí Mhaine Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, 02/03/2017-.
    2016 Deborah Hayden (2016) Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Tionól The anatomy of healing from head to toe: on the significance of diseases in a medieval Irish compilation of medical questions Dublin, Ireland, 19/11/2016-.
    2015 Deborah Hayden (2015) XV International Congress of Celtic Studies A medieval Irish commentary on the magister Glasgow, UK, 16/07/2015-.
    2015 Deborah Hayden (2015) The Book of Ballymote/Leabhar Bhaile an Mhóta: A Conference at the Royal Irish Academy The Book of Ballymote and the grammar of Irish Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, 05/02/2015-06/02/2015.
    2015 Deborah Hayden (2015) Maynooth Early Irish and Celtic Studies Research Seminar The Book of Ádhamh Ó Cianáin and the medieval Irish grammarian Maynooth University, Ireland, 23/04/2015-.
    2015 Deborah Hayden (2015) Irish Texts Society Seminar on the Rosa Anglica Observations on a miscellany of medical questions in NLS MS 72. 1. 2 University College Cork, Ireland, 07/11/2015-.
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) Gramadach agus Prosóid na Gaeilge: Medieval and Early Modern Irish Grammatical and Metrical Tradition On grammatical questions in an unpublished fragment of Auraicept na nÉces Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, .
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) 14th Conference of the International Society for the Study of European Ideas Scholarly networks and information in medieval Ireland: the evidence of legal manuscripts Porto, Portugal, .
    2014 Deborah Hayden (2014) Annual Meeting of the Celtic Studies Association of North America Observations on the 'doors of death' in medieval Irish medical catechism Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA, 06/03/2014-08/03/2014.
    2013 Deborah Hayden (2013) Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas A medieval Irish colloquy on rhetorical doctrine Berlin, Germany, .
    2013 Deborah Hayden (2013) Grammatica and the Celtic Vernaculars in the Medieval World Medieval Irish notes on a 'quarrel' between Priscian and Donatus Christ Church, Oxford, UK, .
    2013 Deborah Hayden (2013) Eighth Australian Conference of Celtic Studies Two fifteenth-century fragments of Auraicept na nÉces in the Franciscan archive at UCD Sydney, Australia, .
    2013 Deborah Hayden (2013) Grammatica and the Celtic Vernaculars in the Medieval World Grammatica and the Celtic Vernaculars in the Medieval World Christ Church, University of Oxford, UK, .
    2012 Deborah Hayden (2012) Workshop on the Applications of Exegesis in the Early Medieval West Grammatical exegesis in the 'Book of Amairgen' Trinity College, Cambridge, .
    2012 Deborah Hayden (2012) 32nd Annual Harvard Celtic Colloquium A linguist, a lawyer and and outlaw: some notes on the transmission of Auraicept na nÉces Harvard University, .
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas University of Cambridge, UK, .
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) XIV International Congress of Celtic Studies Declensional theory in Auraicept na nÉces Maynooth University, Ireland, .
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) Language, History, and Language History among the Celts and their Neighbours: A Conference in Honour of Professor Thomas Charles-Edwards on the Occasion of his Retirement An Analysis of a medieval Irish tract on analysis: a “fragment” of Auraicept na nÉces? Jesus College, Oxford, .
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) Authorities and Adaptations: the Reworking and Transmission of Textual Sources in Medieval Ireland Metrical mnemonics and anatomical accents in Auraicept na nÉces University of Cambridge, .
    2011 Deborah Hayden (2011) Oxford Celtic Seminar On the linguistic commentary to Amra Choluim Chille University of Oxford, .
    2010 Deborah Hayden (2010) Hughes Hall Research Seminar Poetic law and the medieval Irish linguist Hughes Hall, Cambridge, UK, .
    2010 Deborah Hayden (2010) Annual Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Verse faults and correctives in medieval Irish texts University of Sheffield, UK, .
    2010 Deborah Hayden (2010) Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Tionól Natural and artificial language in Auraicept na nÉces revisited Dublin, Ireland, .
    2009 Deborah Hayden (2009) California Celtic Colloquium Anatomical metaphor in Auraicept na nÉces, Sanas Cormaic and the trefhocal Berkeley, CA, USA, .
    2008 Deborah Hayden (2008) AHRC Early Irish Glossaries Symposium Human anatomy in early Irish grammatical exegesis Cambridge, UK, .
    2008 Deborah Hayden (2008) Oxford-Cambridge Celtic Colloquium Form and function in analysis of the Irish genitive case Cambridge, UK, .
    2007 Deborah Hayden (2007) International Medieval Congress At arm's length: the metaphor of the body in early Irish grammatical terminology University of Leeds, UK, .
    Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

    Employment

    Employer Position From / To
    Maynooth University Associate Professor in Early Irish 01/10/2021 -
    Maynooth University Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Early Irish 01/09/2015 - 30/09/2021
    School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Postdoctoral O'Donovan Scholar 01/11/2013 - 31/08/2015
    Christ Church, University of Oxford Postdoctoral Junior Research Fellow 01/10/2011 - 31/10/2013

    Education

    Start date Institution Qualification Subject
    Coláiste na hÉireann/Gaelchultúr Dioplóma Iarchéime san Aistriúchán/Postgraduate Diploma in Translation (Céad Onóracha/First-Class Honours) Postgraduate Diploma in English to Modern Irish Translation
    University of Cambridge PhD Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
    University of Cambridge MPhil (Distinction) Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
    University of Cambridge BA (First-Class Honours) Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
    Wellesley College BA (Summa cum laude) Liberal Arts (double major in Latin and French)

    Honors and Awards

    Date Title Awarding Body
    01/06/2023 Maynooth University Overall Research Achievement Award Maynooth University
    01/06/2023 Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy Research Achievement Award Maynooth University
    01/05/2022 Michael Adams Prize for the best academic paper in medieval Irish studies (2020-2021) Four Courts Press/The American Society for Irish Medieval Studies
    01/01/2018 Maynooth University Early Career Research Achievement Award - Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy Maynooth University
    01/01/2017 Royal Irish Academy Charlemont Grant Royal Irish Academy
    01/01/2016 Bonn óir, Dioplóma Iarchéime san Aistriúchán Coláiste na hÉireann/Gaelchultúr
    01/01/2013 Modern Humanities Research Association Conference Grant Modern Humanities Research Association
    01/01/2011 Scouloudi Historical Award Institute of Historical Research
    01/01/2009 CSANA Student Paper Prize Celtic Studies Association of North America
    01/01/2006 UK Overseas Research Studentship Award University of Cambridge
    01/01/2005 Gates Cambridge Scholarship Gates Cambridge Trust
    01/01/2005 President's Award Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge
    01/01/2004 Eugene L. Cox Alumnae Fellowship for Medieval Studies Wellesley College
    01/01/2003 Trustee Scholar Wellesley College
    01/01/2003 Germaine Lafeuille Prize for Excellence in French Composition Wellesley College
    01/01/2003 Michel Grimaud Prize for Excellence in the Translation of French Wellesley College
    01/01/2001 Katherine Malone Sophomore Prize for Academic Excellence Wellesley College

    Committees

    Committee Function From / To
    Academic Council, Maynooth University Member -
    Coiste na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Mhá Nuad Member -
    Faculty of Arts Research Committee, Maynooth University Member -
    Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Treasurer and Membership Secretary (2009-16); Editor of Language & History (2020-Present) -
    Journal of Celtic Linguistics Editorial Board Member -
    Academic Council Standing Committee for Research, Maynooth University Member -

    Professional Associations

    Description Function From / To
    Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas Treasurer and Membership Secretary (2009-16); Editor of Language & History (2020-Present) -
    Celtic Studies Association of North America Ireland Representative -
    Societas Celtologica Europaea Member -
    American Society for Irish Medieval Studies Member -
    Society for the Study of Medieval Languages and Literature Member -

    Teaching Interests



    I have taught modules for all levels of the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Department of Early Irish, including the following:

    • SG 152 - Gender & Sexuality in the Celtic World
    • SG 207/SG 291 - Old Irish 1/Sean-Ghaeilge 1
    • SG 208/SG 292 - Old Irish 2/Sean-Ghaeilge 2
    • SG 228 - King Arthur's Britain: Medieval Welsh Literature
    • SG 256 - Space, Place and Otherworlds in Medieval Irish Literature
    • SG 300 - Undergraduate Dissertations
    • SG 307 - Old Irish 3
    • SG 308 - Old Irish 4
    • SG 325 - Medieval Irish Poetry
    • SG342 - Readings from Early Irish Literature
    • SG 613 - Learned Literature of Medieval Ireland
    • SG 619 - Outreach and Public Engagement
    • SG 625 - Middle Welsh Language
    Prior to joining the faculty at Maynooth, I taught a wide range of modules in medieval studies and modern Irish language at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and at Advanced Studies in England (Bath, UK). 

    I have also supervised MA and PhD students researching various aspects of medieval Irish history and literature. I currently serve as Postgraduate Coordinator for the Department of Early Irish, and welcome inquiries from prospective students wishing to apply for our Postgraduate Diploma, Taught MA, MLitt and PhD programmes.