Henry Grattan Lecture Series
The Henry Grattan Lecture Series – a flagship initiative of Trinity’s School of Social Sciences and Philosophy – plays an important role in enabling wider society to engage with Trinity and in helping to ensure that thought leaders and influential public figures from around the world are publicly accessible.
Previous lectures have addressed topics such as The Political Consequences of Brexit, The Challenges of EU Migration and EU-US Relations in a Changing World. With speakers including former Taoiseach Mr John Bruton, Dr Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative for International Migration and Dr David O'Sullivan, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States.
The lectures have also benefitted from the expertise of respondents such as Charles Grant, Director of The Centre for European Reform and Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs columnist for the Financial Times.
Trinity College is deeply grateful to the Embassy of Ireland in London and Washington DC for their support, since 2013, in hosting the Henry Grattan Lectures.
Previous Events
Colm O’Reardon delivers Henry Grattan Lecture
Colm O`Reardon, Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, spoke on the transformative journey of Ireland`s higher education landscape and the challenges facing the third level sector.
John Major speaks at Henry Grattan Lecture Series in London
Speaking at the Irish embassy in Belgravia in London on Wednesday evening, former UK prime minister Sir John Major said there is a case for asking the British government to set out the precise terms that would have to be met for it to call a Border poll in the North.
Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason
Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason spoke with Georgetown University Director of Global Irish Studies Cóilín Parsons at the Embassy of Ireland in the USA about President Biden’s visit to Ireland, the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and the full breadth of US-Irish relations!
Philip Lane delivers speech on 'Underlying Inflation'
It was great to welcome ECB Chief Economist and alumnus Philip Lane back to campus this morning. Philip provided in-depth analysis on post-COVID inflation and hinted strongly at further rate hikes.
Public Lecture by Paschal Donohoe March 2nd
Minister for Public Expenditure, President of the Eurogroup, and School of SSP alumnus Paschal Donohoe (BESS, Political Science, 1996) returns to Trinity to examine leadership in an era of rolling crises.
A Celebration of 10 years of the Grattan Scholars
The Provost, Dr. Linda Doyle hosted a reception
in the Provost’s house, to celebrate 10 years of the Grattan Scholarship Programme and to honour Emiritus Professor John O’Hagan as the founding father of the Grattan Scholars.
Commissioner Mairead McGuinness Gives Henry Grattan Lecture in London
On 23rd September the Ambassador of Ireland to the UK, Ambassador O’Neill hosted the annual Henry Grattan Lecture at the Embassy of Ireland in London. The lecture was delivered by Commissioner Mairead McGuinness on ‘The EU – COVID Impact and Facing up to Climate Change.
Prof Louise Richardson - Speaking to the Hand: the Rhetoric of Division and the Threat to Democracy
Prof Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford delivered the Henry Grattan Lecture at the Irish Embassy in London. In her talk, she spoke about the power of words in politics and the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
Richie Neal -- 'The future of US-Ireland relations in a changing world'
Richard Neal, the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, delivered the 2019 inaugural Henry Grattan Lecture at the Irish Embassy in Washington DC. In his talk, he reflected on issues such as US-Irish relations, Northern Ireland, and Brexit.
Mary McAleese -- 'Ireland-UK Relations, Past, Present and Future'
Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese delivered the 2018 Henry Grattan lecture, at the Embassy of Ireland in London, in conversation with RTÉ's Northern editor, Tommie Gorman. In her talk she reflected on issues such as Brexit, the future of the European Union and the possibility of a referendum on a united Ireland taking place in her lifetime.
Mario Draghi -- 'Youth Unemployment in the Euro Area'
In his keynote talk at Trinity College, European Central Bank President, Mr Mario Draghi highlighted the need to address structural causes of youth unemployment and the unfair burden that young people carry in relation to the economic crisis. Mr Draghi's address was followed by a roundtable discussion, the ECB Youth Dialogue, with Trinity Economics students.
John Bruton -- 'New Fault lines in Europe.....the Political Consequences of Brexit'
Former Taoiseach John Bruton gave 2017 Henry Grattan lecture hosted by the Embassy of Ireland in London. His talk explored the historic context of Brexit and emphasised Ireland's important role in the negotiations with the UK. Trinity College Professor in German, Mary Cosgrove also spoke at the event which was chaired by the Head of the School of Social Sciences and Professor in Political Science, Gail McElroy.
Patrick Honohan -- 'Reflections on the Irish Economy - 1916 to 2016'
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, and Honorary Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin, Prof Patrick Honohan gave the 2016 Henry Grattan lecture hosted by the Embassy of Ireland in London. Following Prof Honohan's lecture, journalist and author, Hamish McRae responded. The lecture was chaired by Daniel Mulhall - Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain.
David O'Sullivan -- 'EU-US Relations in a Changing World'
A lecture entitled EU-US Relations in a Changing World was given by the EU Ambassador to the United States, and Trinity graduate, Dr David O'Sullivan to which Financial Times political commentator, Philip Stephens, responded. The event was chaired by the Executive Director of the European Movement Ireland Ms Noelle O'Connell.
Peter Sutherland -- 'EU Migration: Socioeconomic and Political Issues and Challenges'
A Henry Grattan lecture on the challenges of EU migration was given by Dr Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative for International Migration, to which Dr Gideon Rachman, the Chief Foreign Affairs columnist for the Financial Times responded.
Pat Cox -- 'British and Irish Relations in a Changing EU'
The inaugural Henry Grattan London lecture was given by the former President of the European Parliament and Trinity graduate, Pat Cox. Trinity College Professor Emeritus Antoin Murphy and Director of the Centre for European Reform, Charles Grant also spoke at the event hosted by the Embassy of Ireland.
Joschka Fischer -- 'The End of the European Project?'
As part of the Henry Grattan Lecture Series, former German Vice-Chancellor Joschka Fischer, who was a strong advocate of Europe as German foreign minister between 1998 and 2005, provided a German perspective while Irish Times columnist, Paul Gillespie considered the topic from an Irish view and David O'Sullivan of the European External Action Service offered a European viewpoint.