Both History and English have been ranked in the top 200 in the 2013 QS World Subject Rankings. Now in its 3rd year, the QS World University Rankings by Subject series is the only international evaluation that allows prospective students to compare universities in their particular area of interest. The Subject Ranking evaluated 2,858 universities and ranked 678 institutions in total. The particular ranking of a subject area within the School reflects not just the efforts of staff within that particular area, but the efforts also of staff in cognate areas in building a research culture and in promoting good teaching. This is welcome news for our School.

The Centre for Irish Studies was a hive of singing and music making at the reception to mark the appointment of Joe John Mac An Iomaire as Sean-nós Singer in Residence for 2013. Joe’s family, friends and fellow singers were there in strength, and celebrated in style. It was house dance transplanted to the Centre, as Mícheál Ó Cuaig (a former recipient of the award himself), ably acted as Fear an Tí with Johnny Mháirtín Learaí, Josie Sheáin Jeaic, Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, Bartley Breathnach and Micheál himself among the singers who performed. The evening began with Dr Louis de Paor recognizing the incalculable value of the Sean-Nós Performer in Residence scheme, a sentiment echoed by Mícheál later in the evening. The dynamic relationship between the singers and the Centre, which has built up over the past ten years, was evidenced on the night in every musical contribution and indeed in the opening comments of Professor Gearóid Denvir who formally introduced Joe John as this year’s Sean-nós Singer in Residence. Joe John regaled the crowd with stories and sang one of his signature big songs ‘An Droighneáin Donn’. Also performing were young musicians and singers from Connemara. When Mícheál compared the harp playing of Séamus Ó Flatharta to the harpist of the Gaelic aristocracy, it was a fitting tribute to Joe John as our Taoiseach for the night.

Welcome to this December edition of Humanities Update!

Issue 12

One of the prestigious new NUI Garret FitzGerald Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities has been awarded to Ms. Máirín McCarron (Ph.D. UCC), who will be coming to Galway to do her postdoctoral research with Prof Dáibhí Ó Cróinín in History.

Further information on the awards is available at http://www.nui.ie/awards/research.asp