BA (Irish and sociology); MA (sociology); Ph.D (Irish). I taught Irish in London between 1994-1996 (University of North London, St. Mary's University College, two secondary schools and two Irish clubs). I taught English and English literature in Egypt between 1997-2001 (City University and Mansoura University). I worked on a place name project between 2001-2003 (Logainmneacha Chorcaí and Áitainmneacha Chiarraí). I taught English (ESOL) in London between 2003-2005 (East London Mosque). I returned to the place name project in 2005. I worked on an MPhil on place names between 2006-2008 in UCC and continued my association with the place name project until 2010. I completed a CELTA qualification in ESOL in 2011 and worked in the Language Centre in UCC. I took up a full time lectureship in the Modern Irish Department of UCC in September, 2011 and I am still employed there on a temporary basis. In 2013 I completed a PGCERT in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. In 2014 I completed the PGDIP in Teaching and Learning and in 2017 I was awarded the master's in Teaching and Learning MATLHE.
My main interests are in language teaching, Irish literature and world literature, applying sociological concepts to my research on Irish literature, and the importance of the native speaker. I am currently researching Blaskett Island literature. I have also written a book on four modern Irish writers (2018) and I have written three novels in Irish. I have been awarded a COGG bursary to enable me to do a research project on the difficulties associated with students' spoken Irish. I am also involved in the MA in translation and have co-supervised a thesis that was done in the German Dept (UCC) on the translation of Peig Sayers' biography. In 2019 I published a book based on my MPhil in place names.
I am also working on a theoretical text of a sociological nature.
I have recently published my research on Blasket Island literature (2019).
I have just published my research on the problems Irish language students experience with speaking Irish to each other. This research was funded by COGG (2019).
I have also published my research into the use of role-play as a teaching method of Irish (2017).
Irish grammar
Blasket Island literature
Modern Irish poetry
The novel and short story in Irish
Translation
Teaching Methods
I attempt to encourage Active Learning in both the classroom and lecture hall. I use the Learning Journal with my MA students as a way of exploring new threshold concepts. I also use Discussion boards to allow students to respond to material covered in the lectures. I use group work and role-play in many of my classes.
Biography
I was born in Cork in 1969. I studied Irish and sociology in UCC between 1986-1994.BA (Irish and sociology); MA (sociology); Ph.D (Irish). I taught Irish in London between 1994-1996 (University of North London, St. Mary's University College, two secondary schools and two Irish clubs). I taught English and English literature in Egypt between 1997-2001 (City University and Mansoura University). I worked on a place name project between 2001-2003 (Logainmneacha Chorcaí and Áitainmneacha Chiarraí). I taught English (ESOL) in London between 2003-2005 (East London Mosque). I returned to the place name project in 2005. I worked on an MPhil on place names between 2006-2008 in UCC and continued my association with the place name project until 2010. I completed a CELTA qualification in ESOL in 2011 and worked in the Language Centre in UCC. I took up a full time lectureship in the Modern Irish Department of UCC in September, 2011 and I am still employed there on a temporary basis. In 2013 I completed a PGCERT in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. In 2014 I completed the PGDIP in Teaching and Learning and in 2017 I was awarded the master's in Teaching and Learning MATLHE.
My main interests are in language teaching, Irish literature and world literature, applying sociological concepts to my research on Irish literature, and the importance of the native speaker. I am currently researching Blaskett Island literature. I have also written a book on four modern Irish writers (2018) and I have written three novels in Irish. I have been awarded a COGG bursary to enable me to do a research project on the difficulties associated with students' spoken Irish. I am also involved in the MA in translation and have co-supervised a thesis that was done in the German Dept (UCC) on the translation of Peig Sayers' biography. In 2019 I published a book based on my MPhil in place names.
Research Interests
I am currently translating poetry from German into Irish.I am also working on a theoretical text of a sociological nature.
I have recently published my research on Blasket Island literature (2019).
I have just published my research on the problems Irish language students experience with speaking Irish to each other. This research was funded by COGG (2019).
I have also published my research into the use of role-play as a teaching method of Irish (2017).
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fadhbanna na mac léinn le labhairt na Gaeilge ar an ollscoil. | 01-OCT-17 | 01-OCT-19 |
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2021) | Thar Teorainn Amach. Isobel Ní Riain (2021) Thar Teorainn Amach. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Pól Schmidt. Isobel Ní Riain (2021) Pól Schmidt. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Dánta le Nelly Sachs. Isobel Ní Riain (2021) Dánta le Nelly Sachs. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2021) | An Búmarang. Isobel Ní Riain (2021) An Búmarang. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Dialann an Teagascóra Ghaeilge. Isobel Ní Riain (2021) Dialann an Teagascóra Ghaeilge. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Greamanna Fáis. Isobel Ní Riain (2020) Greamanna Fáis. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Dánta le Hölderlin. Isobel Ní Riain (2020) Dánta le Hölderlin. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Pól Schmidt. Isobel Ní Riain (2020) Pól Schmidt. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Dánta le Paul Celan II. Isobel Ní Riain (2020) Dánta le Paul Celan II. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2020) | An Scríbhneoireacht agus Cruthú na Féiniúlachta. Isobel Ní Riain (2020) An Scríbhneoireacht agus Cruthú na Féiniúlachta. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Labhairt na Gaeilge: dúshláin agus réitigh. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) Labhairt na Gaeilge: dúshláin agus réitigh. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Stór Focal don Fhoghlaimeoir Fásta. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) Stór Focal don Fhoghlaimeoir Fásta. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Dánta le Paul Celan. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) Dánta le Paul Celan. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Léiriú Socheolaíochtúil ar Litríocht an Bhlascaoid. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) Léiriú Socheolaíochtúil ar Litríocht an Bhlascaoid. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | An Buchcafé. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) An Buchcafé. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Logainmneacha agus an Chuimhne. Isobel Ní Riain (2019) Logainmneacha agus an Chuimhne. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2018) | B'As Éirinn Di. Isobel Ní Riain (2018) B'As Éirinn Di. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Réiteach na Faidhbe. Isobel Ní Riain (2018) Réiteach na Faidhbe. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Cnuasach Aistí. Isobel Ní Riain (2018) Cnuasach Aistí. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Scéalta ón Éigipt. Isobel Ní Riain and Awny Cassis (2018) Scéalta ón Éigipt. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2017) | Modhanna Múinte Gaeilge - An Ról-Imirt. Isobel Ní Riain (2017) Modhanna Múinte Gaeilge - An Ról-Imirt. Dublin: Coiscéim. [Details] | |
| (2002) | Máirtín ó Direáin: carraig agus cathair. Ní Riain, Isobel (2002) Máirtín ó Direáin: carraig agus cathair. Dublin: Cois Life. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | 'Máirtín Ó Direáin agus múineadh na filíochta san ollscoil' Isobel Ní Riain (2014) 'Máirtín Ó Direáin agus múineadh na filíochta san ollscoil' In: Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail and Caoimhin Mac Giolla Léith (eds). Mo Ghnósa Leas an Dáin. An Daingean: An Sagart. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | 'An Duine Aonair agus an Pobal Beag i Saothar Mháirtín Uí Chadhain' Isobel Ní Riain (2019) 'An Duine Aonair agus an Pobal Beag i Saothar Mháirtín Uí Chadhain'. Béascna, 11 :76-91 [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Role-play in Literature Lectures: Students' Assessment of their Learning' Isobel Ní Riain, Ciarán Dawson, Marian McCarthy (2018) 'Role-play in Literature Lectures: Students' Assessment of their Learning'. The International Journal For The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 12 [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'An Gemeinschaft Oileánda: Léiriú Socheolaíochtúil ar an leabhar, An tOileánach' Isobel Ní Riain (2017) 'An Gemeinschaft Oileánda: Léiriú Socheolaíochtúil ar an leabhar, An tOileánach'. Béascna, 10 :35-48 [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Role-Play in Literature Lectures' Isobel Ní Riain (2017) 'Role-Play in Literature Lectures'. Scenario - Drama and Theatre In Language Education, 2017 (1):94-108 [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Gnéithe de shaol an Oileáin in Cín Lae Eibhlín Ní Shúilleabháin' Isobel Ní Riain (2016) 'Gnéithe de shaol an Oileáin in Cín Lae Eibhlín Ní Shúilleabháin'. Bliainiris, 11 :192-209 [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Caidreamh ar áit - tábhacht na háite sa saothar Peig: A Saol Féin' Isobel Ní Riain (2015) 'Caidreamh ar áit - tábhacht na háite sa saothar Peig: A Saol Féin'. Béascna, 8 :44-61 [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Drama in the Language Lab - Goffman to the Rescue' Isobel Ní Riain (2014) 'Drama in the Language Lab - Goffman to the Rescue'. Scenario - Drama and Theatre In Language Education, 8 (2):115-123 [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Poetic Place and Geographical Space' Ní Riain, Isobel (2002) 'Poetic Place and Geographical Space'. Irish Studies Review, 10 (3) [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | 'Móin Otraigh: Staidéar ar Logainmneacha na háite' Isobel Ní Riain (2014) 'Móin Otraigh: Staidéar ar Logainmneacha na háite' An Linn Bhuí: Iris Ghaeltacht Na Ndéise, 18 :77-107. [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'City and Place, the urban village: 'Gemeinschaft' and 'Gesellschaft' revisited' Ryan, Isobel (2006) 'City and Place, the urban village: 'Gemeinschaft' and 'Gesellschaft' revisited' Lianes, . [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Fashion as Text: an analysis of Islamic fashion in Egypt' Ryan, Isobel (2003) 'Fashion as Text: an analysis of Islamic fashion in Egypt' Entertext, . [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'The Old and the New: Fast Food in Cairo' Ryan, Isobel (2002) 'The Old and the New: Fast Food in Cairo' Moving Worlds, 2 (2) . [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (1996) | L'Irlande Imaginaire et Réprésentation Actes du Colloque de la SOFEIR, Lille (1996) The Literary Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft of Máirtín Ó Direáin L'Irlande Imaginaire et Réprésentation [Details] |
Book Reviews
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2007) | Review of - Egypt as a Woman: nationalism, gender and politics by Beth Baron. Ryan, Isobel (2007) Review of - Egypt as a Woman: nationalism, gender and politics by Beth Baron. Book Reviews [Details] |
Dictionary Entries
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2007) | Book: Foclóir Litríochta agus Critice. Dr. Máirín Nic Eoin (2007) Book: Foclóir Litríochta agus Critice. Dublin: Dictionary Entries [Details] |
Magazine article
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | Leabhar Alex Hijmans - Splancanna Ó Shaol Eile. Isobel Ní Riain (2014) Leabhar Alex Hijmans - Splancanna Ó Shaol Eile. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2014) | An Ghaeilge agus Bruachbhaile in Oirthear Chorcaí. Isobel Ní Riain (2014) An Ghaeilge agus Bruachbhaile in Oirthear Chorcaí. Dublin: Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2013) | Agallamh le hAlex Hijmans in Feasta. Isobel Ní Riain / Alex Hijmans (2013) Agallamh le hAlex Hijmans in Feasta. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names: Fearann. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names: Fearann. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names: Response to Readers. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names: Response to Readers. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Conservation of names. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Conservation of names. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Home place. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Home place. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names: Leap. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names: Leap. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names: Grianán. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names: Grianán. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names in Literature (?). Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names in Literature (?). Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Field - Achadh, Gort, Páirc, Garrdha. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Field - Achadh, Gort, Páirc, Garrdha. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Place names: Lios. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Place names: Lios. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2011) | Walls and ditches as boundaries. Ní Riain, Isobel (2011) Walls and ditches as boundaries. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Logainmneacha Chorcaí / Áitainmneacha Chiarraí. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Logainmneacha Chorcaí / Áitainmneacha Chiarraí. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Magh and Machaire. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Magh and Machaire. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Place names: Boundaries and the Irish landscape. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Place names: Boundaries and the Irish landscape. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Origins of place names. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Origins of place names. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Place names: A Response to Readers. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Place names: A Response to Readers. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Baile and Bally. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Baile and Bally. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Place Names: Response to readers. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Place Names: Response to readers. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | P.W. Joyce and The Origins and History of Irish Names of Places. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) P.W. Joyce and The Origins and History of Irish Names of Places. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Place names: Hills and Mountains. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Place names: Hills and Mountains. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Place Names: Response to Readers (3). Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Place Names: Response to Readers (3). Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Edmond Hogan and Onomasticon Goedelicum. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Edmond Hogan and Onomasticon Goedelicum. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Spás Daonnaithe. Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Spás Daonnaithe. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2010) | Boundaries (part 2). Ní Riain, Isobel (2010) Boundaries (part 2). Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2009) | Introduction to place name series. Ní Riain, Isobel (2009) Introduction to place name series. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2009) | Irish Place Names - There are many forms of Disert. Ní Riain, Isobel (2009) Irish Place Names - There are many forms of Disert. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2009) | The collection of place names in Ireland. Ní Riain, Isobel (2009) The collection of place names in Ireland. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2009) | Place names: Field names are part and parcel of the landscape. Ní Riain, Isobel (2009) Place names: Field names are part and parcel of the landscape. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2006) | Fulani Fulani. Ní Riain, Isobel (2006) Fulani Fulani. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2005) | An Dr. Éamon Lankford. Ní Riain, Isobel (2005) An Dr. Éamon Lankford. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2005) | Kalam il nés, smacht sóisialta. Ní Riain, Isobel (2005) Kalam il nés, smacht sóisialta. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2005) | East End, Bangla & Béarla. Ní Riain, Isobel (2005) East End, Bangla & Béarla. Magazine article [Details] | |
| (2002) | Al Shéra. Ní Riain, Isobel (2002) Al Shéra. Magazine article [Details] |
Newspaper Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2009) | [Childhood significance of place]. Ní Riain, Isobel (2009) [Childhood significance of place]. Newspaper Articles [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Mansion House Scholarship | National University of Ireland |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNSBI | member | / |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCC | lecturer | 01-SEP-11 / 10-JAN-19 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | UCC | BA | Irish and Sociology | |
| 1991 | UCC | MA | Sociology | |
| 1994 | UCC | PhD | Irish | |
| 2008 | UCC | MPhil | Irish | |
| 2017 | UCC | MATLHE | Teaching and Learning |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | Fluent | Functional | Fluent | |
| German | Fluent | Functional | Fluent | |
| English | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent | |
| Irish | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent | |
| Arabic | Basic | Basic | Functional |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
I am interested in teaching and learning. I have been awarded the master's degree in Teaching and Learning (MATLHE). The following are my main fields:Irish grammar
Blasket Island literature
Modern Irish poetry
The novel and short story in Irish
Translation
Teaching Methods
I attempt to encourage Active Learning in both the classroom and lecture hall. I use the Learning Journal with my MA students as a way of exploring new threshold concepts. I also use Discussion boards to allow students to respond to material covered in the lectures. I use group work and role-play in many of my classes.