/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/TCD-LanguagesAlumniSummerSocial-5June2026-850X550px-(9).png)
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.
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/graphics/Teangacha-250-Trinity-1039X450px.png)
SLLCS Research Seminar Series
Hilary Term 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/German-Drama-Club-Unter-uns-855X400px.png)
German Drama Club: 'Unter uns' | 'Among us'
23-24 February 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/TrinityTonguesConf-March2026-group-855X400px.png)
Trinity Tongues: Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Conference
21 March 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Langs250-IAA-26March2026-audience.png)
Is Ornament a Crime? From Alphonse Mucha to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
26 March 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Langs250-M%C3%B3ro%C3%ADcheLitr%C3%ADochta-855X400px.png)
Móroíche Litríochta: Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha, Eoin P. Ó Murchú & Éilis Neary
30 Márta 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/SLLCS-InConversation-15April2026-855X400px.png)
In conversation with Profs Emeritae Eda Sagarra and Corinna Salvadori Lonergan
15 April 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Languages250-TrinityMondayDiscourse-855X400px.png)
Trinity Monday Memorial Discourse: Owen Sheehy Skeffington (1909-1970)
20 April 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/campus/Trinity-Campus-Students-1039X450-px-44.png)
Translation Studies Network of Ireland Conference
8-9 May 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/SLLCS-Hans-ChristianOeser-855X400px.png)
A Life in Translation: Hans-Christian Oeser
14 May 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/campus/Trinity-CampusLife-feature-image-855X257px-(4).png)
Annual Humanities Horizons Lecture: A STEM Strategy for Modern Languages?
21 May 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/TCD-LanguagesAlumniSummerSocial-5June2026-850X550px-(11).png)
Languages Alumni Summer Social: An evening of words, wit and music
5 June 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/students/Trinity-Students-500X300-(27).png)
13th annual conference of the Celtic Students Association
11-13 June 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/campus/Trinity-Campus-1039X450-px-1.png)
Society for Italian Studies Biennial Conference
9-11 July 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Langs250-ReynaGrande-855X400px.png)
An Interview with Reyna Grande, author of 'A Ballad of Love and Glory'
7 September 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/SLLCS-HelyHutchinsonLectures-2026-500X300px.png)
Hely-Hutchinson memorial lectures: Prof Yves Citton and author Ulrike Draesner
8 October 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/SLLCS-HelyHutchinsonBanquet-President-8Oct26.png)
Hely-Hutchinson Banquet attended by President Catherine Connolly
8 October 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Am%C3%A9rica-tropical-500X300px.png)
Film screening and Conversation: 'Activist Art, Censorship, and Latino USA'
8 October 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Trinity-Campanile-500X300px.png)
Conference: ‘Modern Languages in Irish Life: 1776-2026 and beyond’
9 October 2026
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/SLLCS-GlobalBeats-Nov2026-Trumba--575X320px.png)
Global Beats Dance Party on Front Square
17 November
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/Languages-250-Trinity-29-January-2026-MCosgrove-764X510px.png)
Inaugural Lecture of Prof Mary Cosgrove, Chair of German (1776)
Date TBC
Latest News
-
President Catherine Connolly attends the School's celebrations marking 250 years of modern languages at Trinity
The President of Ireland Catherine Connolly joined celebrations to mark 250 years of the study and teaching of modern languages at Trinity College Dublin, following the Hely-Hutchinson Lectures, on 8 October 2026.
09 Oct 2026
Event, News
-
/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/news-and-events/TCD-LanguagesAlumniSummerSocial-855X400px.png)
Languages Alumni Summer Social - an evening to remember!
To celebrate 250 years of Modern Languages at Trinity College Dublin, the School welcomed our alumni back to campus for a celebratory reception in the Examination Hall on 5 June. It was an evening of words, wit and music.
12 Jun 2026
Event
-
Listen back: In conversation with Professors Emeritae Eda Sagarra and Corinna Salvadori Lonergan
Listen back to this inspiring conversation between two trailblazing female academics, Professors Emeritae Eda Sagarra and Corinna Salvadori Lonergan. This event took place on 15 April 2026 in Trinity Long Room Hub.
29 May 2026
Event
Historical context
/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(100)/prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/langs-lits-cultures/images/site-images/graphics/Languages-250-Trinity-Board-Minutes-1774-1500X450px.png)
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.