Secretary: Thelma Snyder
Office: Immaculata Hall 207
E-mail: tsnyder@stfx.ca
Phone: (902) 867-2300
Fax: (902) 867-5395

What is "Celtic Studies"?

Celtic Studies is a broad field that has as its core the languages, literatures, and histories of Celtic-speaking peoples, from the Continental Celts of ancient Gaul to the modern survivals in Scotland, Ireland, the island of Man, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany. The discipline of Celtic Studies extends into a wide range of topics, including archaeology, art, music, literature, folklore, religion, dance, immigration, and ethnic studies.

Scottish Gaelic is a member of the Celtic language family, closely related to Irish. Gaelic has the oldest vernacular literature in Western Europe and a long history of cultural and intellectual achievement. See more about the history of Gaelic in Scotland >>

Gaelic was brought by immigrants from the Scottish Highlands to Nova Scotia from 1773 to the mid-1800s. In the late nineteenth century, it was the third most spoken European language in Canada. As Scottish Gaelic is an important element in the heritage of north-east Nova Scotia, it forms the focus of our Celtic curriculum. See more about the history of Gaelic in Canada >>

Department of Celtic Studies - An Roinn Cheilteach

StFX is one of the few universities offering the study of Celtic languages and the literature and history of the Celts from about 800 BC to the present. Celtic courses may be chosen as electives. StFX is the only university in North America offering four years of Scottish Gaelic. See complete course listing >>

Gaelic speakers feature prominently in the early history of St Francis Xavier University. Gaelic was first taught at St FX in 1891; Major C. I. N. MacLeod was hired to fill the Chair of Celtic Studies in 1958. Read more department history >>

Our faculty members are leading researchers in the history, language, and literature of Gaelic communities in North America and Scotland. See details about faculty >>

We possess the largest and most important collection of Scottish Gaelic manuscripts, publications, and recordings in Canada, particularly in the substantial holdings of the Celtic Collection of the Angus L. Macdonald Library. See list of resources >>

Celtic Studies Students

Students in the Department of Celtic Studies are active in the life of the community on campus and beyond. Read more about student life >>

We are rightly proud of our students: they have become leading lights in the revival and development of Gaelic in both Scotland and Canada. Read more about Celtic Studies graduates >>

Our undergraduate and masters students produce research papers and dissertations as well as creative projects, such as audio and video recordings. Read more about student work >>

Celtic Languages 2008-9