Professor Claire Connolly appointed to the Irish Research Council

20 Dec 2021

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, has today announced the appointment of Professor Claire Connolly to the Irish Research Council for a three-year period.

Professor of Modern English and Head of the School of English and Digital Humanities at University College Cork, Prof. Connolly is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Irish Academy Council. Her publications to date have focused on the cultural history of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Ireland.

Speaking on her appointment, Prof Connolly said:

“Having seen and experienced the transformative power of IRC funding, it’s an honour to be appointed to this Board. I look forward to working with colleagues on the IRC Council to continue to develop Ireland’s research eco-system, to advance the prospects of all of our researchers — from postgraduates to professors — and to share the benefits of research right across Irish society.”

Congratulating Prof. Connolly on her appointment, UCC President Prof. John O'Halloran said:

"We are delighted to see Professor Claire Connolly appointed to IRC. She will bring a deep understanding and commitment of excellence in research to the role, and shape an ambitious strategy for humanities and in securing our future," he said.

Prof. Connolly is one of two new appointments to the Irish Research Council, along with Professor Colin Scott of University College Dublin.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD, said:

“I am delighted to appoint Professor Claire Connolly and Professor Colm Scott to the Irish Research Council. Both Professor Connolly and Professor Scott are distinguished academics who will make a valuable contribution to the Council. Their experience and insight into the research sector will be of great benefit in helping to promote research excellence in Ireland. I look forward to appointing a new Chairperson of the Irish Research Council shortly, and I would like to thank the outgoing chairperson Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, for her passionate and committed service throughout her term.”

Also commenting today, Director of the Irish Research Council Peter Brown, said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Professor Claire Connolly and Professor Colin Scott as members of the Irish Research Council. This is an interesting time for the Irish Research Council as Government prepares a new national strategy for research and innovation. The Irish Research Council looks forward to helping shape and deliver this new strategy to maintain a vibrant research eco-system and to ensure research can respond to the big challenges of our time. We are delighted to have Professor Connolly and Professor Scott working with us on these important challenges.”