Throughout 2026 the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies will mark the 250th anniversary of the establishment of Modern Languages in Trinity College. A series of events will be held throughout the year to commemorate this historic initiative, which led to the establishment of the oldest continuous Chairs of Modern Languages anywhere in the world.

The programme was officially launched at a ceremony on 29 January 2026 in Trinity's Long Room Hub, this special event was attended by alumni, dignitaries, colleagues and students.

The ‘Languages 250 at Trinity’ programme will be of national, European, and global importance, as well as an inclusive celebration of all the languages and cultures of our School.

Events Programme

Further details and booking information for individual events will be made available soon.

Graphic showing a robot finger touching a human finger.

German Drama Club: 'Unter uns' | 'Among us'

23-24 February 2026

Detail from the 1932 América tropical mural.

Film screening and Conversation: 'Activist Art, Censorship, and Latino USA'

12 March 2026

Detail from a 1774 handwritten manuscript outlining the minutes of the Trinity Board.

Conference: 'Key figures in history of Modern Languages in Trinity'

21 March 2026

Graphic featuring a sketch of Owen Sheehy Skeffington.

Trinity Week Memorial Address: Owen Sheehy Skeffington (1909-1970)

20 April 2026

The Trinity Campanile (bell tower) in Spring.

Translation Studies Network of Ireland Conference

8-9 May 2026

Trinity students on their graduation day.

Save the Date: School Alumni Celebration

5 June 2026

Students walking by Fellow's Square and the Old Library.

Society for Italian Studies Biennial Conference

12-16 July 2026

Headshots of Yves Citton and Ulrike Draesner.

Hely-Hutchinson memorial lectures (Prof Yves Citton and author Ulrike Draesner)

8 October 2026

View of Trinity's Campanile and Front Square.

Conference: ‘Modern Languages in Irish Life: 1776-2026 and beyond’

9 October 2026

Graphic with the words Languages 250 at Trinity (1776-2026).

SLLCS Research Seminar Series

Hilary Term 2026

Historical context

Trinity was the first university in these islands to introduce the study of modern continental languages. In 1776 Trinity appointed professors in French, German, Spanish and Italian. They were the first university Chairs in modern languages in these islands and in the case of the Chairs in French and German the oldest continuous Chairs in these languages in the world.

The establishment was spearheaded by the newly-appointed Provost John Hely Hutchinson motivated by his desire to equip college graduates with language skills for foreign travel and cultural engagement, opening them up to the exciting possibilities of Enlightenment Europe.

Same day it was resolved by the Board that it would be highly useful to have Professors of the Modern Languages established in the College. The rest of the Board recommended it to the Provost, by applying to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, to endeavour to procure funds for establishing such Professors.