O’Connell 250 Symposium: Liberty, Democracy, and the Struggle for Human Rights
A two day symposium to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell.
Please register for the event here. Please note that separate tickets need to be bought for the keynote event on the 29th July and the event at Glasnevin Cemetery on the 30th July.
This two-day symposium will bring together leading historians, human rights experts, and public figures to explore O’Connell’s life and global legacy, while also discussing challenges to human rights today, threats to democracy, and the lessons we can learn from a study of the Liberator. The conference is organised by the Trinity Long Room Hub, in partnership with the School of Histories and Humanities and Diageo, and in association with The Daniel O’Connell Summer School (29-30 August 2025) and Glasnevin Cemetery (part of Dublin Cemeteries Trust).
Admission is free. To register for any or all of the sessions, please click on this link.
Schedule of events:
Tuesday 29 July 2025
Trinity Long Room Hub, 3.00 p.m:
Session 1: O’Connell at 250: Legacies, Inspirations and Challenges.
Introduction: Prof Patrick Geoghegan (Trinity College Dublin), Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub and biographer of O’Connell.
Chair: Sir Donnell Deeny, Pro Chancellor of the University of Dublin.
Reflections on the Liberator by Johnny Cunningham, descendant of Daniel O’Connell.
Prof Maurice Bric (UCD), Director of the O’Connell Summer School.
Dr Mary McAuliffe (UCD), historian and Director of Gender Studies.
Maurice Fitzpatrick, author and biographer of John Hume.
Edmund Burke Theatre, Arts Block, 6pm:
Keynote Session: The Life and Global Legacies of Daniel O’Connell
Introduction and welcome: Provost, Linda Doyle.
Formal opening of the conference: Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her work with the Centre for Civil Liberties.
Prof Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (University of Minnesota and Queen’s University Belfast), an expert on international human rights and former UN Special Rapporteur.
Prof Christine Kinealy (Quinnipiac University), a renowned historian of O’Connell, the anti-slavery movement, and the Great Famine.
Wednesday 30 July 2025
Trinity Long Room Hub, 10am:
Session 2: Justice and Human Dignity: 21st Century Struggles for Human Rights.
Chair: The Attorney General, Rossa Fanning SC.
Nils Muižnieks, former Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe and current UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, human rights lawyer and Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection.
Prof Mary Lawlor (Trinity College Dublin), UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and founder of Front Line Defenders.
Break for light lunch.
1.00 p.m.
Session 3: European and Global Identities: O’Connell’s International Impact.
Chair: Jimmy Deenihan, former Minister for Arts, Heritage and The Gaeltacht.
Prof Patrick Geoghegan (Trinity College Dublin), Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub and biographer of O’Connell.
Dr Davide Mazzi (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), an expert on O’Connell’s European identity as well as his oratory.
Dr Jennifer Keating (University of Pittsburgh), an expert on Frederick Douglass, on the Legacies of Daniel O’Connell and Frederick Douglass in the Age of AI.
4.00 p.m, History Ireland Hedge School: Glasnevin Cemetery
Panel debate on the life and legacy of the Liberator at Glasnevin Cemetery where he is buried.
Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: tlrh@tcd.ie