Eibhlín Nic Cormaic, a Galway-born academic, member of Conradh na Gaeilge's Coiste Gnó, will undertake the research project
A new Doctoral (PhD) project has been approved between Queen's University and Conradh na Gaeilge. The research project will take place between October 2025 and will last until Spring 2029.
This project focuses on women’s roles in Irish-language rights campaigns in the second half of the twentieth century. Drawing primarily on newly catalogued materials in the Conradh na Gaeilge Archives, the research will examine various areas of women’s activism; republican prisoners, Gaeltacht civil rights participants, Conradh na Gaeilge members, and Mná Tí. By examining these various sectors in detail, the research aims to redefine our understanding of the gender dynamics that underpin Irish-language activism.
Queen's University's approach to postgraduate research is changing, with an ever-increasing emphasis on research carried out in partnership with local organisations and that leads to direct benefits for the community. The project successfully achieved funding through the competitive Northern Bridge Consortium scheme, a project funded through the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Eibhlín Nic Cormaic, who will undertake this doctorate degree at Queen’s University Belfast, has said:
“I’m looking forward to starting this research and to working in Belfast alongside Conradh na Gaeilge. I believe this hugely significant research, which looks to find a broader understanding of the perceived connection between the Irish language and feminism, is incredibly important. I am sure that the expertise and support of Síobhra, Pádraigí and Marcas will greatly help me in my PhD journey.”
Dr Síobhra Aiken, Senior Lecturer in Irish at Queen's University, and Co-Supervisor of the project, has said:
“We are privileged that the papers of Conradh na Gaeilge have been catalogued and are now available to the public. There are many treasures in the archive and Eibhlín will no doubt uncover materials to probe new questions about the role of women in the Irish-language movement over the past fifty years. Recent research has begun to delve into the Gaeltacht civil rights movement and other Irish-language campaigns, but there is still more to be done in terms of women’s roles in language reclamation movements. The Irish language community as a whole is indebted to Eibhlín for undertaking this important work.”
Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, the external Co-Supervisor on behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge on the project, has said:
“We are delighted to be recognised as an official partner of this Doctoral project. Eibhlín will have the opportunity to develop her expertise on the Conradh na Gaeilge archives and to examine and share the valuable documents it holds with the wider world. We are confident that we will all gain new insights into the role of women in language rights campaigns and that this research, and the pioneers under research, will inspire the next generation to take action. I look forward to supporting Eibhlín’s research as co-Director of the Doctoral project and to seeing the results of her work in the next few years. Conradh na Gaeilge wishes her every success in this work.”
CONTACT:
Eibhlín Nic Cormaic
+353831366683 |
Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, Bainisteoir Cumarsáide
+447716690237 |
202 Bóthar na bhFál, BT12 6AH
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter @cnag / Instagram @cnagaeilge
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Eibhlín Nic Cormaic has researched the use of Irish among republican women prisoners during the Conflict at Undergraduate and Master’s level. Her previous research looks at the learning of Irish in prisons and the possible connection between Irish and feminism. She has presented papers related to her research at conferences in Brussels, America, Wales and, of course, at various events in Ireland. Her PhD research will continue to look at the connection between gender and language. She spent a year teaching Irish at Davidson Davie Community College, North Carolina on a Fulbright scholarship. She has been a member of Coiste Gnó Conradh na Gaeilge for the past five years.
Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community. The Conradh has over 200 branches and numerous individual members registered around the world, members that work hard to promote the use of Irish in their own areas. Conradh na Gaeilge’s main aim is to promote the use of Irish as the standard language in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge was established by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, and their colleagues on the 31st of July 1893. The organisation runs Irish-language courses; advocates for the language rights of Irish-speakers; raises awareness about the language; hosts the international Irish-language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge; manages the Irish-language information hub PEIG.ie and the Irish-language bookshop An Siopa Leabhar; supports Raidió Rí-Rá; and much more. More information: www.cnag.ie
