An Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin delivers the inaugural Dermot Keogh Memorial Lecture
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- An Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin delivers the first Dermot Keogh Memorial Lecture and launches the respected historian鈥檚 final publication at 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork.
An Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin led a special event on Friday, 12 December recognising the lasting legacy of Professor Dermot Keogh, the prolific historian, former journalist, and advocate for oppressed and displaced communities whose work, in the Taoiseach鈥檚 words, 鈥渟haped how we understand ourselves as a nation.鈥�
In 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork (UCC), where he once studied under Professor Keogh, An Taoiseach delivered the inaugural memorial lecture and launched the historian鈥檚 final book, , co-edited with Owen McGee and Dr Mervyn O鈥橠riscoll (UCC).
Broke new ground in the study of modern Irish history
An Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin said: 鈥淒ermot Keogh leaves behind a legacy that shaped how we understand ourselves as a nation. His scholarship brought nuance, courage and humanity to some of the most complex chapters of our past. Ireland is richer for his work, and his contribution will endure for generations.鈥�
Professor Dermot Keogh broke new ground in the study of modern Irish history, diplomacy, and Church鈥揝tate relations, and he played a central role in tracing Ireland鈥檚 wider global connections, including its links with Latin America. Over the course of his career, he wrote ten monographs and co-edited twenty volumes. Among his most widely recognised publications are Jews in Twentieth-Century Ireland (Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Press, 1998) and his influential studies of Irish foreign policy and constitutional development.
A former Jean Monnet Professor and Head of UCC鈥檚 Department of History, Professor Keogh was twice a Fulbright Scholar and also a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. President Michael D. Higgins described him as 鈥渙ne of Ireland鈥檚 finest historians,鈥� acknowledging his significant contributions to understanding Ireland鈥檚 international relations and its record on human rights.
His final book, The Irish Revolution: Diplomacy and Reactions 1919鈥�1923, now published, explores the international dimension of the Irish Revolution, tracing the efforts of Irish envoys to secure recognition for D谩il 脡ireann and the varied global responses to Ireland鈥檚 fight for independence. Professor Keogh鈥檚 essays examine the international reverberations of Terence MacSwiney鈥檚 hunger strike, the influence of Catholic networks, the mobilisation of diaspora activists, and the contributions of women volunteers. Together, they place Ireland鈥檚 struggle within the wider turmoil that reshaped global politics after the First World War.
The Dermot Keogh memorial lecture series
UCC President Professor John O鈥橦alloran MRIA said: 鈥淧rofessor Keogh was one of the defining historians of twentieth-century Ireland, a greatly admired educator, and a deeply respected colleague. He joined UCC more than four decades ago and remained a valued and inspiring presence in the School of History long after his retirement. His scholarship, integrity, and determination to place Ireland within a wider international story have left a profound and lasting mark. We are deeply grateful to An Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin, a former student of Professor Keogh, for honouring his legacy by delivering the inaugural memorial lecture.鈥�
Dr Hiram Morgan, Head of the School of History at UCC, said: 鈥淭he School of History at UCC is pleased to launch the Dermot Keogh memorial lecture series. Professor Dermot Keogh (1945-2023) was a very significant historian of modern Ireland who covered many facets of its history both domestic and international and who brought huge prestige to the subject and to the university. We are especially pleased that the inaugural lecture will be given by one of his masters students, the current Irish head of government, an Taoiseach Miche谩l Martin. We are also pleased to launch on the same occasion Dermot's last book The Irish Revolution: Diplomacy and reactions 1919鈥�1923鈥�, co-edited by Dr Mervyn O'Driscoll and Dr Owen McGee which has been published by Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Press.鈥�
Sin茅ad Neville, Head of Publishing at Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Press, said: 鈥�The Irish Revolution reflects the late Professor Dermot Keogh鈥檚 unwavering commitment to the study of modern Irish history and his career-spanning dedication to understanding Ireland鈥檚 global connections. A former member of the Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Press Board, he was a tireless champion of the Press. He authored, co-authored and co-edited numerous works and we are honoured to publish final work."