50 years of Geography at Maynooth
On 16 December 2021, we celebrated 50 years of Geography at Maynooth with an online event. Over 150 people registered for the event, from all around the world – current and former staff and students, colleagues and friends. Maynooth University President, Professor Eeva Leinonen and Head of Department Dr Helen Shaw welcomed all our guests.
Following this, there were three engaging panel discussions. In the first, Paddy Duffy, JohnSweeney and Ro Charlton reminisced on the early days of Geography. In the second, Maynooth Geography graduates – Karen Keaveney, Stephanie Keogh, Derek McCormack and Conor Murphy - reflected on what their time at Maynooth means to them. The third panel, with Mark Boyle, Chris Brunsdon, Louise Sarsfield Collins, Shaun Harrigan, Harriet Hawkins and Cathy Delaney, speculated on the future of Geography and the next 50 years.
Though not in-person, it was a lovely way to mark the Department, and there were many stories shared in the online chat and on a Jamboard. The event concluded with the presentation of the first awards in memory of Matt Stephens, our much-missed friend and colleague. Shirley Howe and Louise Sarsfield Collins are the first recipients of this award.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating 50 years of Geography at Maynooth, and here's to the next 50 years.
You can watch the event back on MU Social Science Institute YouTube channel here.