National Centre for Franco-Irish Studies Host EU50 Event Celebrating Unique Franco-Irish Relationship

Published: 11 Apr, 2023

Following a successful funding application made by the National Centre for Franco-Irish Studies (NCFIS) TU Dublin, a one-day conference entitled 'France, Ireland's nearest neighbour in Europe': Celebrating a unique friendship on the European stage' took place at Iveagh House on 31st March 2023 as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs Commemorating Europe Initiative.

The plenaries were chaired by Dr Eamon Maher (Director, NCFIS) and Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire (School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology) and given by Professor Grace Neville (UCC), Dr Elaine Mahon (SCAFT, newly invited Assistant Director of the NCFIS), Professor Catherine Maignant (Université de Lille) and Dr Pierre Joannon (Honorary Consul General of Ireland in the South of France).

The conference was opened by Joe Hackett, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The morning round table on the historical, diplomatic and cultural ties between France and Ireland with former Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, current Irish Ambassador to France Niall Burgess and Rory Montgomery, former Irish Ambassador to France Dr Michael Kennedy, Executive Editor of the Royal Irish Academy's Documents on Irish Foreign Policy Series, and Sinead MacAodha, Literature Ireland was led by Martin Doyle (The Irish Times). The panel discussion in the afternoon, chaired by Dr Sarah Nolan (IADT), provided the opportunity to discuss sustainability, the environment and tourism with the French Ambassador to Ireland, Vincent GuérendMinister Eamon RyanProfessor Michael Cronin (Trinity College Dublin), Barbara Nolan (Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland) and Mark Henry (Head of University Communications and Marketing, TU Dublin). The French Ambassador hosted a reception at the Résidence that evening to round off the day.

Particular thanks go to Dominic Dillane, Head of the School of Tourism & Hospitality Management ), Dr Denise O'Leary (Head of the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology), Dr Brian J. MurphyDr Brian A. MurphyDr Tony KielyPatricia Medcalf PhDJohn D. Mulcahy, PhD, TU Dublin PhD students Barbara Kavanagh and Mathieu Belledent as well as Delphine Tessier (French Embassy) for their support, involvement as members of the organising committee and as speakers/Chairs, as well as Seán McKiernan and Stephen Ryan from the Department of Foreign Affairs.