2024 marks 120 years since the establishment of the first Irish Language Summer College in Ballingeary, Co. Cork in July 1904. Since then, the Irish Colleges have provided a unique cultural and educational experience spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, yet little is known about their early history. Often dismissed by historians and educationalists alike as mere components of the Gaelic League organisation, the Irish Colleges were initially founded as dedicated, and indeed radical, teacher-training institutions, often completely independent of the League. By examining various aspects of the Irish College movement between 1904 and 1940, this talk will highlight the institution’s historical and educational significance and demonstrate its worthiness as a topic for future study.

Máire McCafferty recently completed her PhD studies in Modern Irish at University College Dublin. Her thesis focuses on the early history of the Irish Language Summer Colleges, and is entitled ‘Ag teacht in inmhe: na Coláistí Gaeilge agus Cruthú an Chultúir Náisiúnta Éireannaigh/Coming of Age: the Irish Colleges and the Creation of Irish National Culture, 1904-1940.’ Máire has authored a number of articles on various aspects of the Irish Colleges and has conducted particular research on the role of the Ulster Colleges following the partition of Ireland in 1921, which has received funding under the Royal Irish Academy’s Decade of Centenaries Bursary (2023).

This seminar will be hybrid - in-person in 27 UNiversity Square and online via Teams. Please indicate your preference when registering.