TU Dublin Centre for Irish Studies Launched

Published: Monday 14 September 2026 - 15:44

The new TU Dublin Centre for Irish Studies was officially launched on Thursday 10 September by Deputy Erin McGreehan, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy McGreehan highlighted the vital role of the Humanities in third-level education, recognising their importance in fostering critical thinking, cultural understanding and meaningful engagement with society.

TU Dublin President Dr Deirdre Lillis also welcomed the launch, expressing her enthusiasm for the Centre and commending the energy and commitment of its Joint Principal Investigators, Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire and Dr Eamon Maher.

The launch featured an engaging programme of papers from TU Dublin lecturers Dr Brian A. Murphy, Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, Dr Anke Klitzing and Dr Elaine Mahon, alongside contributions from external speakers Professor Alexandra Maclennan, Professor Michael Cronin, Professor Derek Hand and Professor Eugene O'Brien.

Books Editor of The Irish Times, Martin Doyle, also spoke about his most recent book, adding to an evening that celebrated Irish literary scholarship, research and cultural life.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Kathleen Costello-Sullivan and was sponsored by the Culture and Society Research Hub Visiting Speaker Scheme.

The evening concluded with the launch by Professor Anne Fogarty of The John McGahern Companion, co-edited by Dr Eamon Maher.

The launch marks an exciting chapter for the TU Dublin Centre for Irish Studies, bringing together scholars, researchers and students to explore Irish literature, culture and society and further strengthening TU Dublin's contribution to Humanities research and scholarship.