Maynooth University scholar, Conall Ó Fátharta, was among the recipients of Fulbright Awards which were presented at a ceremony in Iveagh House last night.
Conall is a PhD student at the Department of Media Studies, researching the role of Irish print media in investigating and shaping national scandals related to Church and State abuse from 1990 to 2020. He is also an award-winning former journalist who previously worked as a Senior News Reporter with the Irish Examiner.
Under the Fulbright programme, Conall will travel to Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, to research the last of these ‘scandals’ within the Irish-American adoption scheme, in order analyse the crucial role played by U.S. journalism in bringing the scheme to public attention.
Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, expressed her congratulations, stating: “We are immensely proud of Conall Ó Fátharta for receiving the prestigious Fulbright Award. His research reflects the high calibre of scholarship fostered at Maynooth University and our commitment to interdisciplinary research, particularly within our Heritage, Culture and Language research beacon.
As we move forward with plans to establish our International Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage/Ionad Domhanda na hÉigse, we aim to leverage our significant expertise in this area to enhance our internationalisation strategy and promote Irish cultural heritage globally. Congratulations to Conall and we wish him well for his time at Glucksman Ireland House at NYU.”
The Fulbright Commission in Ireland is known for selecting outstanding candidates from across the island of Ireland to study and work with U.S. Institutions across all disciplines ranging from health, science, technology and business to culture, the arts and the Irish language. Academics, professionals, students and scholars will research, study, teach and collaborate with experts at leading U.S. institutions. Their innovative research will have lasting impacts for society.
Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht, and Tourism, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “The Fulbright Programme plays a crucial role in sustaining the close relationship that the United States and Ireland enjoy. As Fulbright Awardees across all disciplines embark on academic and cultural exchanges across the U.S., they serve as ambassadors for Ireland, forging academic links through innovative research, building global understanding, and representing the best of the island of Ireland.
“Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants teach the Irish language, embody Irish culture and share their learnings upon return. The Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Foreign Affairs proudly support this programme. I extend my sincere congratulations to the 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awardees.”
