Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gives inaugural De Chastelain lecture at Trinity
Posted on: 13 June 2026
"Trinity is much more than a university,” Prime Minister Carney said: “It is a veritable wellspring for ideas, inventions and enduring moral clarity. Some of the western world’s greatest contributions to science, art and literature have their roots here."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Trinity College Dublin today where he delivered the inaugural De Chastelain Public Lecture in the historic Public Theatre.
His lecture was given in the presence of General John de Chastelain, Chair of the 1997-2011 Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, as well as other invited guests, including An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. It was followed by a fireside chat with Alex White, Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.
“Trinity is much more than a university,” Prime Minister Carney said: “It is a veritable wellspring for ideas, inventions and enduring moral clarity. Some of the western world’s greatest contributions to science, art and literature have their roots here. Trinity alumni invented the steam turbine and the modern stethoscope. They pioneered radiotherapy and linear algebra and coined the term ‘electron’. They introduced the world to Count Dracula and Dorian Gray, Gulliver and Godot (who should be here any minute now).”
“Trinity students are building on this legacy. And Canadians are sharing in this quest.”
Prime Minister Carney was greeted on arrival by Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle (above on right), who said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark Carney to Trinity College Dublin to deliver the inaugural De Chastelain Public Lecture.
“Drawing on his words at Davos, I believe that universities have a big role to play in wielding the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules. Here in Trinity, legitimacy and integrity are central to how we both serve and challenge society, even more so in a world of conflict, climate and biodiversity crisis and rapidly evolving AI technologies.” After his lecture, the Prime Minister and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, paid a private visit to the medieval Book of Kells in Trinity’s Old Library. The group was received at the Old Library by the Librarian and College Archivist, Helen Shenton.
* Main image shows from left: Caroline Foley, Steward to the Provost's House; Provost Dr Linda Doyle, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Diana Fox Carney.
Media Contact:
Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie