Irish Studies at Queen's University Belfast - QUB

This month the Dictionary of Irish Biography (DIB), a research programme based at the Royal Irish Academy, has published three new entries: surgeon and peace activist Dr John Robb, whose New Ireland Movement focused on non-violent consensus across religious and political divides; musician and singer-songwriter Dolores O'Riordan, who used her lyrics and songwriting to reflect and process her emotions: her words provided the framework for the band, but her voice gave The Cranberries their unique sound; and Bishop of Ossory Laurence Forristal, 'the only bishop to unequivocally admit in evidence to the [Murphy] commission that he may not have handled matters satisfactorily’.

Read the DIB new entries here: https://www.dib.ie/node/26051

Online Talk | Irish Migrants in Early Modern Europe As part of the 'Strangers to Citizens' Online Talk Series

Artefacts of life: a treasure trove of Ireland’s architecture turns 50 From Georgian Dublin to the 20th century, the headquarters on Merrion Square boasts a staggering collection of photographs and drawings

New Irish Studies Leadership After 10 years as Director of the Institute of Irish Studies, Prof Peter Gray is handing over to a new leadership team from the start of August 2026.

🧵🎶 Discover the artistry and heritage of Molly St George: Lacemaking and Irish Traditional Music, a fascinating exhibition at the McClay Library as part of the Belfast Fleadh.

Curated by the Special Collections & Archives team at the McClay Library, this unique exhibition celebrates the legacy of Molly St George and highlights the cultural importance of lacemaking and Irish traditional music.

📍 McClay Library
📅 2 June - 31 August
✅ Free and open to the public

🕘 Mon-Thu: 9am-8pm
🕘 Fri: 9am-5pm
🕙 Sat: 10am-5pm

Whether you're a music lover, history enthusiast, or simply curious to learn more about Belfast's cultural heritage, this exhibition is not to be missed.

https://belfastfleadh.com/

The Royal Irish Academy is pleased to announce funding for eleven research projects relating to the Commemoration of events associated with the early years of the state as well as other significant historical anniversaries, events and themes under this year's scheme which is kindly supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Following on from the success of the previous two years of the scheme this year will see projects taking place right across Ireland addressing a wide variety of themes and research areas.

Amongst others Connal Parr will examine 'Actualising Peace: The Passions of the Peace People Fifty Years On', Joanne McEntee will research 'The Establishment and Development of a Public Library Service in County Monaghan, 1928-1938' and Deirdre McCarthy will look at 'Women Money and Place: Carlow, South Wicklow and Dublin 8.'

All projects will be completed by summer 2027 and we look forward to further updates on their progress and outputs in due course.

For further details of all funded projects on the RIA website: https://www.ria.ie/2026/07/17/eleven-projects-awarded-commemorations-grants-in-2026/

📸Illustration depicting Stoneybatter on market day in the twentieth century by Alé Mercado, as used by Ann Marie Durkan in her research project 'Introducing children to the place of animals in 20th century inner city Dublin' funded in 2024 under the Commemorations Bursary Scheme.

A reminder that the 2028 Fulbright Scholarship in Irish Studies at QUB is open for applications until September 15th. More info at

www.qub.ac.uk

Eithne O'Neill's translation of her father Séamus Ó Néill’s novel Tonn Tuile (Flood Tide) was launched this month in Dublin. Congratulations to Eithne, who came to QUB to speak about the book in 2025

Tonn Tuile Comes Ashore in English – Flood Tide Launched at Hodges Figgis Mercier Press published 52 Proverbs Against Depression and Trauma in 2024 — an Irish self-help book using ancestral wisdom, CBT, and mindfulness to overcome depression. Available now.