Preferred Residence Change: A Frenchwoman in Ireland Expresses Her Preference for Life in Cork Over Dublin
Dr Nina Cnockaert-Guillou: A Scholar of Irish Medieval Literature
Dr Nina Cnockaert-Guillou, a postdoctoral scholar at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), has made significant strides in the field of Irish medieval literature. Her fascination with Celtic literature, which was nurtured by family storytelling in her native Normandy, France, has led her to specialize in Irish medieval literature and language.
After completing her studies in English language and literature at a university in Paris, Cnockaert-Guillou moved to Ireland. She spent her academic exchange at University College Cork (UCC), where she immersed herself in medieval and modern Irish studies. This experience was instrumental in her decision to pursue a PhD in medieval Irish, funded by the University of Cambridge.
During her PhD, Cnockaert-Guillou traced the evolution of an Irish story first written down in the 12th century and repeated in manuscripts until the 19th century. Her research, which was pioneering in its field, focused on understanding changes in the text, the reasons behind these changes, and the sources of new story elements. She was the first person to study this story and publish about it[1].
Currently, Cnockaert-Guillou is working towards fluency in modern Irish. She hosts a podcast called Ní Hansae, where she interviews other scholars at DIAS and explains their area of research in simple terms. Her podcast is available on the website of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies[2].
Cnockaert-Guillou expresses a deep admiration for the Irish people, describing them as welcoming, lovely, and easy to talk to. She chose to move back to Ireland due to job opportunities and personal happiness experienced during her Erasmus exchange. Brittany, where she spent much of her childhood, is another Celtic nation, and its language, history, and traditions align with those of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man.
Cnockaert-Guillou now resides in Cork, citing comfort and familiarity with the city. Her academic journey in Irish medieval literature is a testament to the rich collection of medieval manuscripts in Ireland and the transformative power of storytelling. Her impact lies in opening scholarly attention to previously understudied medieval Irish texts, deepening understanding of Irish literary history[1][2].
[1] DIAS, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, www.dias.ie [2] Ní Hansae podcast, www.dias.ie/nianansae
