Dr. de Brún is a Lecturer in modern Irish in the University of Limerick with a specialism in masculinities. A qualified teacher and an award-winning writer of creative fiction in Irish, in 2007 she commenced her PhD funded by the John and Pat Hume Scholarship in Maynooth University. In 2016 she completed her PhD in the University of Ulster on masculinities in the fiction of Pádraig Ó Cíobháin, Joe Steve Ó Neachtain and Micheál Ó Conghaile. Prior to moving into academia in 2002, she enjoyed a successful career as an organist, pianist and choral director, including Irish language choirs, working in a variety of settings, including music schools, churches and festivals. Before commencing in the University of Limerick, she held lectureships and research supervisor positions in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra (Dublin City University), the University of Ulster, Hibernia College Dublin and Maynooth University. Sorcha has extensive experience of teaching Irish to the public service sector, including Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. She has taught Irish internationally in France, the United States and Hungary, as well as having worked with all the major Irish language and Gaeltacht organizations in Ireland. She has experience of judging literature competitions, including as President for the European Prize for Literature in 2009 and Jury member in 2019. Sorcha has been Irish language Consultant for the Secretary General of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltachts, and for An Chomhairle Um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. In 2017 she developed and wrote the first Irish language course for Special Needs Assistants in Irish language schools which was used subsequently to train SNA's by Gael-Linn/An Chomhairle Um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. Her thesis on masculinities in Irish language literature, the first study of its kind, resulted in the term fireannachtaí being introduced in the Irish language terminology database on www.tearma.ie.http://www.tearma.ie/Search.aspx?term=masculinity Her monograph on Masculinities, funded by Fochoise na bhFoilseachán and the Royal Irish Academy, will be published by Arlen House in 2021.
Research Interests
Dr. de Brún's research focuses on masculinities, gendered relations and the intersectionality of class with gender in Irish language fiction, radio drama, film, poetry, literary translation and autobiography. Her research focuses in particular on narratology, and on the use of literary devices in the development of multiple masculinities in Irish language fiction. Sorcha also continues to research gothic masculinities and the process by which masculinities are reconfigured in remediated texts. Sorcha was also successful co-applicant and co-researcher on the National Strategy for the Irish Language Based Arts, Straitéis d'Ealaíona Teangabhunaithe. The research project valued at 35,000 was awarded to UL and Mary Immaculate College in August 2019. Sorcha is currently working on her monograph on masculinities in Irish language fiction, to be published by Arlen House in December 2021 and funded by the Royal Irish Academy.
Professional Activities
Award
2021 - TEACHING HERO NOMINATION (NATIONAL FORUM TEACHING/LEARNING)
2010 - 1ST PRIZE SHORT STORY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE / 1Ú Dúais, Gearrscéal do dhaoine óga
2008 - 1ST PRIZE, MÁIRTÍN Ó CADHAIN SHORT STORY COMPETITION / 1Ú DUAIS COMÓRTAS GEARRSCÉALAÍOCHTA UÍ CHADHAIN
2007 - 1ST PRIZE FOR PROSE FICTION LISTOWEL WRITER'S WEEK, DUAIS FORAS NA GAEILGE / 1Ú DUAIS, FICSEAN NA GAEILGE
2007 - 2ND PRIZE, SHORT STORY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE / 2Ú DUAIS, GEARRSCÉAL DO DHAOINE ÓGA
2007 - JOHN AND PAT HUME SCHOLARSHIP MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY 2007-2010 / SCOLÁIREACHT JOHN AND PAT HUME
Committee
2020 GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE,
2020 CASTLETROY GAELSCOIL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT,
2019 ACADEMIC REGULATIONS COMMITTEE,
2019 DEPT. OF CULTURE, HERITAGE GAELTACHT THINKTANK ON TECHNOLOGY IN THE TEACHING OF IRISH, Meitheal Smaointeoireachta um Úsáid na Teicneolaíochta i dTeagasc na Gaeile
2018 IRISH LANGUAGE COMMITTEE / COISTE NA GAEILGE ,
2018 TEACHING BOARD COMMITTEE,
2018 APPLIED LANGUAGES COURSE BOARD,
Education
2019 UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK - GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN TEACHING, LEARNING & SCHOLARSHIP
2016 ULSTER UNIVERSITY / OLLSCOIL ULADH - PhD IRISH
2015 HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMY UK - ASSOCIATE FELLOWSHIP
2006 DCU - MA IRISH
2006 ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC LONDON - DIP ABRSM ORGAN PERFORMANCE
1996 UCD - MA POLITICAL SCIENCE
1996 TRINTY COLLEGE LONDON - LTCL PIANO PERFORMANCE & TEACHING
1992 UCD - BA IRISH POLITICS
Consultancy
2019 DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, HERITAGE AND GAELTACHT - Consultant, Thinktank for the Use of Technology in Irish language Education [Meitheal in Úsáid na Teicneolaíochta]
2018 AH CHOMAIRLE UM OIDEACHAS GAELTACHTA AGUS GAELSCOLAÍOCHTA - Consultant & Course Designer
2018 AN CHOMHAIRLE UM OIDEACHAS GAELTACHTA AGUS GAELSCOLAÍOCHTA - Consultant & Course Designer
2009 MR. GERRY KEARNEY, SECRETARY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY, EQUALITY AND GAELTACHT AFFAIRS - Consultant
Association
2018 MEMBER, CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR IRISH STUDIES
MEMBER / BALL , IASIL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF IRISH LITERATURE /
MEMBER / BALL , CUMANN MERRIMAN
MEMBER / BALL , IRISH WRITERS UNION
MEMBER / BALL, BORD OF DIRECTORS OF IRISH WRITERS UNION / BORD STIÚRTHA ÁRAS NA SCRÍBHNEOIRÍ 2008-2009
SECRETARY / RÚNAÍ , CUMANN NA nOIFIGEACH AGUS NA STIÚRTHÓIRÍ GAEILGE OLLSCOILE / IRISH LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER, ASSOCIATION OF LANGUAGE TESTERS OF EUROPE
MEMBER , AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOR IRISH STUDIES
ASSOCIATE FELLOW, ADVANCE HE
MEMBER, EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS AND CENTRES OF IRISH STUDIES
Employment
2017 UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK - LECTURER IN IRISH / LÉACHTÓIR LE GAEILGE
2016 HIBERNIA COLLEGE - RESEARCH SUPERVISOR
2016 INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION - IRISH LANGUAGE TEACHER
2016 GAELCHULTÚR - IRISH LANGUAGE TEACHER
2016 ULSTER UNIVERSITY /OLLSCOIL ULADH - LECTURER IN IRISH / LÉACHTÓIR LE GAEILGE
2011 SÉIPÉAL MHUIRE AN TSÓLÁIS / OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION - ORGANIST AND CHOIR DIRECTOR IRISH AND ENGLISH CHOIRS / ORGÁNAÍ AGUS STIÚRTHÓIR CEOIL
2008 MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY - TUTOR AND LECTURER / TEAGASCÓIR AGUS LÉACHTÓIR
2003 COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG DCU DROIM CONRACH / ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE DCU DRUMCONDRA DUBLIN - OIFIGEACH NA GAEILGE / IRISH LANGUAGE OFFICER
Language
Irish
French
German
Scottish Gaelic
Outreach
PUBLIC LECTURE: 'DRACULA AGUS SEÁN Ó CUIRRÍN'. ILAC CENTRE LIBRARY, DUBLIN. APRIL. 2009.
WORKSHOP FOR INTERNATIONAL SUMMER STUDENTS IN TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN: 'THE STYLE, SUBJECT MATTER AND MUSIC OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE LOVE SONG'. JULY 2003.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. DECEMBER 2014. DEUTSCHE MASSE D872 BY FRANZ SCHUBERT: ARRANGED FOR IRISH LANGUAGE. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. AIFREANN A DÓ LE SEÁN Ó RIADA. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST ON 'AIFREANN AN LAE.' 2013.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 'AIFREANN CHOLMCILLE', TOMÁS Ó CANAINN. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST ON 'AIFREANN AN LAE'. 2013.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 'AIFREANN AN LAE'. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST. 2012.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. AIFREANN AN LAE'. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST. DECEMBER 2017.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 'AIFREANN AN LAE.' NOVEMBER 2017. CHOIR DIRECTOR AND PIANIST.
DONNYCARNEY TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014. IRISH LANGUAGE 'HOLY' SONGS: TALK AND PERFORMANCE AS DIRECTOR/ PIANIST WITH CÓR GAEILGE DHOMHNACH CEARNA.
DONNYCARNEY TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013. CHOIR DIRECTOR / PIANIST WITH CÓR GAEILGE DHOMHNACH CEARNA.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 29.01.2017. 'SIOBHÁN NÍ SHÚILLEABHÁIN AGUS A SAOTHAR.'
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 18.07.2016. 'DRACULA AS GAEILGE', FAOI AGALLAMH AG DR. RÓISÍN ADAMS.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 'CÍN LAE EIBHLÍN NÍ SHÚILLEABHÁIN.'26.07.2016.
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA. 2.08.2016 'LÉIRMHEAS AR RABHADH: DÁNTA LE ALAN TITLEY.'
PUBLIC RADIO BROADCAST. RTE RADIO NA GAELTACHTA. 10.08.2016. LÉIRMHEAS AR 'NOVELLA EILE' LE PÁDRAIG Ó CÍOBHÁIN.
CULTURE NIGHT SEPTEMBER 2012. ORGANIST, UNITARIAN CHURCH. IMPROVISATIONS ON TRADITIONAL IRISH 'CAOINEADH NA DTRÍ MHUIRE; BACH; BUXTEHUDE.
COURSE DESIGNER AND TEACHER FOR GAEL LINN / C.O.G.G. IRISH IN THE CLASSROOM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANTS. JULY. 2017.
INVITED BY CUMANN GAELACH [IRISH LANGUAGE SOCIETY] IN UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK TO GIVE WORKSHOP ON THE CREATIVE ESSAY. JUDGE FOR COMPETITION ORGANIZED BY THE SOCIETY.
HOSTED ONLINE DISCUSSION WITH ACADEMICS AND PUBLIC ON MÁIRTÍN Ó CADHAIN'S SHORT STORY 'AN BÓTHAR GO DTÍ AN GHEALCHATHAIR' [ROAD TO BRIGHT CITY]. ORGANIZED BY FÓRAM CHOIS FHARRAIGE UM PLEANÁIL TEANGA
Other
2009. PRESIDENT OF IRISH JURY, EUROPEAN PRIZE FOR LITERATURE. BRUSSELS.
2019. MEMBER IRISH JURY. THE EUROPEAN PRIZE FOR LITERATURE
De Brún S. (2020) "in a Sea of Wonders:" Eastern Europe and Transylvania in the Irish-Language Translation of Dracula.
Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Philologica :70-83
Sorcha de Brún (2019) Experiments with Realism in Irish language short stories by Daithí Ó Muirí .
University of Debrecen Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies :374-391
Sorcha de Brún (2022) An Domhan agus a Athair: An Chruinne Fhireann agus Fireannachtaí i bPrós-Scríbhneoireacht Chomhaimseartha Tríúr Scríbhneoirí Gaeltachta .
Dublin : Arlen House
Sorcha de Brún (2020) Ar Ghrá an Réitigh: Deargadaoil i mBá Fó Thoinn (2012) agus Úrscéalta Phádraic Bhreathnaigh .
Dublin : LeabhairCOMHAR Prós Paiteanta: Aistí in Omós do Phádraic Breathnach
Sorcha de Brún (2017) Gach Duine ina Fhealsúnaí ar a Shaol Féin: An Fhealsúnacht, Téama an Aistir agus an Chruinne Fhireann i nGearrscéalta Mhichíl Uí Chonghaile .
Dublin : Coiscéim Meanmanra II An tSíceolaíocht agus an Fhealsúnacht :81-99
Sorcha de Brún (2012) 'Sinne Laochra Fáil: Heroes and Heroism in the Work of Pádraig Ó Cíobháin; .
Dublin : Irish Academic Press New Voices in Irish Criticism
Sorcha de Brún (2011) Ag Bailiú Linn: Ó Bhorradh go Bail, ó Bhaois go Bailbhe. Léirmheas ar The Bail Out le Hugh Costello BBC 4.
Dublin : Comhar Comhar
Sorcha de Brún (2020) Gearrscéalta Uí Chadhain: Seimineár idirnáisiúnta ar líne [The Short stories Of Máirtín Ó Cadhain: International Online Seminar] .
Sorcha de Brún (2021) Strategies and Innovations: Scale, Scéal Eile: Teaching Irish Language Literature Live Online.
Limerick, Ireland : University of Limerick
Sorcha de Brún (2008) An Bhrí sa Chreatlach: An Léitheoireacht, an Litríocht agus Curaclam na Gaeilge (1999) (Cuid 2) .
Dublin : Reading Association of Ireland Newsletter of the Reading Association of Ireland
Sorcha de Brún (2008) An Bhrí sa Chreatlach: an Léitheoireacht an Litríocht agus Curaclam na Gaeilge (1999) (Cuid 1).
Dublin : Reading Association of Ireland Newsletter of the Reading Association of Ireland
