Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

The Work

A historian has the fascinating job of studying and interpreting the past. When people need detailed, nuanced information about the past, they go to historians to get the facts. These individuals write history books about all kinds of topics, times, people, and places. From ancient history, to a specific decade, to even one specific historical event, historians will study and fact-find in order to share that information with the public.

There are many different types of historians, each with a specialty or a specific area of study in which they are experts: 

-May Work in colleges or universities in research of Lecturing capacity

-Blog or vlog from Authouring publications or books

-They may be Archivists 

-Act as Consultants on specific time periods or topics 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
• Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
• Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
• Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
• Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
• Organise data, and analyse and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
• Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
• Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
• Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
• Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

There are many pathways to becoming a Historian. These take many years of study and commitment to your subject area and research. Study may involve travel to other countries for your research. 

Higher Education CAO Entry: NFQ Level 6-8

Post graduate Study NFQ Level 9-10

Post graduate Studying Abroad NFQ Level 9-10 [equivelant] 

Poeple may travel to ireland to complete their PHD at Doctoral level, this will involve GNIB stamps in line with their research & Stutus Check here.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €108k

Saleries can vary greatly, depending on expertise and place worked, such as academica, a library or broadcasting.

Data Source(s):
IUA/ ETBI/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average growth for this occupation was below average, with employment levels in 2022 unchanged from the previous year. Vacancies for this occupational group primarily related to lecturers (DSP data), with lecturers across a variety of disciplines also featuring in the employment permit data in 2022.

This occupation has a high share of those employed aged 55 years and over (at 25%), indicating that replacement demand alone may create job opportunities in future years. Demographic factors may also lead to an increased demand for these roles, although this will be dependent on government funding.

Media professional, Librarian, Curator: National skills Bulletin 2023

Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate.

The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians. CSO Census 2016 2022 Journalists, newspaper and periodical editors 3,604 3,643 Public relations professionals 1,545 2,300 Librarians 1,777 1,966 Advertising accounts managers and creative directors 1,134 1,200

The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.

• Irish Research Council

  • Brooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 231 5000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

  • 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 631 3800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Archives of Ireland

  • Bishop St. Dublin 8
  • (01) 407 2300 / LoCall 1890 252424
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here