Pioneer in study of medieval Irish history, literature and language awarded Ireland’s highest academic honour

A pioneering academic at St John’s College has been formally admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Ireland’s leading body of experts in the sciences and humanities.

Professor Máire Ní Mhaonaigh was elected to the Academy with 27 other new members chosen for their exceptional contributions to the sciences, humanities and social sciences, and to public service. She attended a formal Admittance Day ceremony in Dublin on Friday 26 May, when she was recognised for her work.

Membership of the all-island Academy is Ireland’s highest academic honour and the distinction of Honorary Fellow is reserved for  academics who have an association with Ireland and have made a major international contribution to their disciplines working in institutions outside Ireland.

Professor Ní Mhaonaigh is Professor of Celtic and Medieval Studies at the University of Cambridge, Director of Studies in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at St John’s and Jesus Colleges, and a Fellow of St John’s. She is co-author of the Academy publication, A History of Ireland in 100 Words, and currently holds a five-year Leverhulme Trust award for a seminal study of place in early Irish literature. At the Admittance ceremony, she was recognised as ‘a pioneer in the interdisciplinary study of medieval Irish history, literature and language, and a leading expert on early Irish, British and Scandinavian relations’.

During the formal event, new members subscribed to the Member’s Declaration of Obligations and signed the Roll Book of Members. Professor Ní Mhaonaigh said: “I feel hugely honoured and privileged to have received the award and was both humbled and overawed when I signed the historic Members’ Roll Book, which has been in use since 1802.”

Professor Pat Guiry, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said: “These individuals, elected by their peers, have made exceptional contributions in their fields of endeavour. We are delighted to recognise their achievements. As Members of the Academy, they will support the RIA by engaging and leading in activities that strengthen the international recognition of the Academy’s scholarship and serve the public good through their knowledge and insight.”

The Academy has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of learning since its establishment by Royal Charter in 1785 and those elected by their peers are entitled to use the designation ‘MRIA’ after their name. Founded with 88 members, today there are 670 living Academy members, including 95 Honorary Fellows, almost equally divided between the sciences and the humanities. Notable past members include Nobel Laureates: WB Yeats, Ernest Walton, Max Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, Bob Grubbs and Seamus Heaney.

The institution makes a significant contribution to public debate and policy formation on issues in science, technology and culture, bringing together academia, government and industry to address issues of mutual interest by providing an independent forum. It also leads important national research projects, particularly in areas relating to Ireland and its heritage, and represents the world of Irish learning internationally.

Published 30/5/2023

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