On Thursday, 29 January 2026, the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies kick started a year of celebrations to mark 250 years of modern languages in Trinity, at an opening ceremony in Trinity's Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute.

Trinity College Dublin 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 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. 

Last week’s opening ceremony featured an address by Pat Cox, President, Jean Monnet Foundation and former President of the European Parliament. 

Pat Cox standing in front of a podium addressing a seated audience, during the Languages 250 at Trinity Opening Ceremony.

Pat Cox (above) said: “We are marking one of the world’s and Ireland’s most enduring academic traditions, the institutionalisation of modern language teaching in French, German, Italian and Spanish established through professorships here at Trinity College Dublin 250 years ago. 

“Beyond history, the marketplace, career opportunity, and technological aids, fluency in a foreign language builds a self-enriching bridge to new cultures, literature, cinema, networks and friendships, offering a different prism through which to view the world. A shared language confers a sense both of connection and belonging even in the most trying of contexts.”

Pat Cox, Provost Dr Linda Doyle and Minister Thomas Byrne stand in a group at the Opening Ceremony for Languages 250 at Trinity.

Provost of Trinity College Dublin Dr Linda Doyle (pictured above with Pat Cox and Thomas Byrne, T.D, Minister of State for European Affairs) responded: 

“Trinity is immensely proud of its 250-year-old tradition in modern language education and remains committed to the promotion of modern languages to create a more open, tolerant, and culturally diverse world.” 

Starting in January, a series of events will be held throughout the year to commemorate this historic initiative. The ‘Languages 250 at Trinity (1776-2026)’ programme will showcase the important work of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies and promote the cause of modern language education on the island of Ireland.

Highlights include a conference on ‘Translation in Ireland: Past and Future’ in May and in October a conference on ‘Modern Languages in Irish Life’. Also in October, the Hely-Hutchinson memorial lectures will be delivered by Professor Yves Citton, Université Paris 8 (Vincennes-Saint Denis) and author Ulrike Draesner. 

Professor Michael Cronin standing in front of a banner promoting Languages 250 at Trinity.

Michael Cronin, Chair of French 1776 (above), said: 

“The celebrations in 2026 represent a unique opportunity to honour Trinity College’s pioneering role in modern language education, and to build on this legacy to further deepen and strengthen Ireland’s European connections.” 

Professor Mary Cosgrove standing at a podium at the Opening Ceremony for Languages 250 at Trinity.

Mary Cosgrove, Professor of German 1776 (above), said:  

“The origins of the Chairs of Modern Languages some 250 years ago was a matter not just of institutional, but of national and international significance: their establishment put Trinity, and Ireland, on the map as a pioneer of Modern Languages education at the highest level. In this history, Trinity emerges as a radical, modernising force.  

“The advent of the Chairs was furthermore in line with a revolutionary spirit and progressive sensibility as proclaimed in the American Declaration of Independence of 1776: the Chairs’ emergence indicates the start of a democratising shift, in the university context, from the ancient to the modern, from the study of classical languages to the learning of vernacular and foreign languages.”

The opening ceremony was attended by colleagues from across the College and School, invited dignitaries, Ambassadors and Embassy representatives, as well as current students, representatives from student societies, and School alumni.

This year's planned programme will be of national, European, and global importance, as well as an inclusive celebration of all the languages and cultures of the School.

The full programme of events is now live and will be updated continuously throughout the year.

 

Members of the Languages 250 at Trinity working group, standing in a group, at the Opening Ceremony in the Long Room Hub.
Some members of the 'Languages 250 at Trinity' working group, pictured with the Faculty Dean and the Head of School: Mícheál Hoyne (Department of Irish and Celtic Languages, Zoë Coleman (Communications and Marketing Manager, SLLCS), Serena Vandi (Department of Italian), Michael Cronin (Department of French), Mary Cosgrove (Department of German), Catherine Leen (Deputy Head of School; Department of Hispanic Studies), Jürgen Barkoff (Professor Emeriti, Department of German), Omar García (Head of School), Carmel O'Sullivan (Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences), Conor Daly (Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies).

A group of representatives of Embassies gathered in the Long Room Hub for the Languages 250 at Trinity Opening Ceremony.
Back row (L-R): Carmel O’Sullivan, Michael Cronin, Andreas Lüssi (Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland), Edoardo Berionni Berna (Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy), Ambassador Melitta Schubert (Embassy of Austria), Ambassador David Gill (Embassy of Germany) Mary Cosgrove, Omar García, Georgeta Bratu (Embassy of Romania), María Concepción Julián de Vega (Embassy of Spain). Front row (L-R): Pat Cox, Ambassador Céline Place (Embassy of France), Provost Dr Linda Doyle, Eda Sagarra, Corinna Salvadori Lonergan, Jürgen Barkhoff, Thomas Byrne, T.D, Minister of State for European Affairs.

A seated audience in Trinity's Long Room Hub for the Opening Ceremony of Languages 250 at Trinity.
The audience at the Opening Ceremony in Trinity's Long Room Hub.

Faculty Dean Professor Carmel O'Sullivan and Professor Jürgen Barkoff in conversation.
Faculty Dean Carmel O'Sullivan and Jürgen Barkoff in conversation after the ceremony.

Watch Professor Mary Cosgrove speak about the historic significance of the celebrations this year.

'Languages 250 at Trinity' working group:

Jürgen Barkoff (Professor Emeriti, Department of German)
Mary Cosgrove (Department of German)
Mícheál Hoyne (Department of Irish and Celtic Languages)
Zoë Coleman (Communications and Marketing Manager, SLLCS)
Michael Cronin (Department of French)
Conor Daly (Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies)
Rachel Hoare (Outreach lead, SLLCS; Department of French)
Catherine Leen (Deputy Head of School; Department of Hispanic Studies)
Serena Vandi (Department of Italian)
Lizzie Whitcher (School Manager, SLLCS)