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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.
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SLLCS Research Seminar Series
Hilary Term 2026
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German Drama Club: 'Unter uns' | 'Among us'
23-24 February 2026
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Postgraduate Conference: Trinity Tongues
21 March 2026
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Is Ornament a Crime? From Alphonse Mucha to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
26 March 2026
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In conversation with Profs Emeritae Eda Sagarra and Corinna Salvadori Lonergan
15 April 2026
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Trinity Week Memorial Discourse: Owen Sheehy Skeffington (1909-1970)
20 April 2026
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Translation Studies Network of Ireland Conference
8-9 May 2026
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Annual Humanities Horizons Lecture: A STEM Strategy for Modern Languages?
21 May 2026
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Languages Alumni Summer Social
5 June 2026
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Society for Italian Studies Biennial Conference
9-11 July 2026
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Hely-Hutchinson memorial lectures (Prof Yves Citton and author Ulrike Draesner)
8 October 2026
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Conference: ‘Modern Languages in Irish Life: 1776-2026 and beyond’
9 October 2026
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Film screening and Conversation: 'Activist Art, Censorship, and Latino USA'
October 2026
Historical context
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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.
Image: Detail from a 1774 handwritten manuscript outlining the minutes of the Trinity Board (Courtesy of the Library of Trinity College Dublin).
Latest News
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Trinity Monday Memorial Discourse
The 2026 Trinity Monday Memorial Discourse commemorates Owen Sheehy Skeffington (1909-1970) and will be given by Michael Cronin, Professor of French (1776).
02 Apr 2026
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Trinity Tongues Conference
A postgraduate and early career researchers conference: 'Trinity Tongues: Exploring the History of Modern Languages at Ireland’s Oldest University' recently took place on 21 March 2026.
20 Apr 2026
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The School celebrates 250 years since the establishment of Modern Languages at Trinity College Dublin
Alumni, dignitaries, colleagues and students attended the ceremony in Trinity's Long Room Hub, which officially launched a celebratory programme of events to take place throughout 2026
03 Feb 2026
Event, News