History of the Irish language in Trinity College

The Irish language has had a central role in Trinity College since the time of William Bedell (sometime Provost and a former Bishop of Kilmore in the Church of Ireland), who translated the old Testament into Irish in the 17th century. Dr Douglas Hyde, founder of Conradh na Gaeilge/the Gaelic League, and first President of Ireland, was a student here. The Chair of Irish was established in 1840. Among those who occupied this role was the writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain (1969-'70). The School of Irish holds microfilm copies of the Irish Folklore Commission's Collection of Irish Folklore Manuscripts.

Some key dates

1592- Trinity College founded by Queen Elizabeth I
1627 William Bedell appointed as Provost
1840 Chair of Irish established
1908 founding of An Cumann Gaelach
1919 Tomás Ó Rathaille as Professor of Irish
1928 Eleanor Knott on the teaching staff
1956 Mairtín Ó Cadhain appointed as lecturer in Modern Irish

Source: Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide (Ó Glaisne, 1992)