Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, and former UN Special Rapporteur Prof. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin among speakers
Marking 250 years since the birth of ‘The Liberator’ Daniel O’Connell, Trinity College Dublin is hosting a two-day symposium [Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 July] looking at his life, legacy and global human rights challenges.
Organised by the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s flagship Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and its new director Professor Patrick Geoghegan, the symposium brings together leading historians, human rights experts, and public figures to explore O’Connell’s life and global legacy. It forms part of the Government’s Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Programme.
Born in Kerry at the outbreak of the American Revolution, O’Connell grew up to become one of the greatest champions of freedom and democracy, someone who always believed in the power of people to change history. A champion of Catholic emancipation, he was also recognised internationally for his fearless opposition to slavery and provided a voice for the oppressed wherever they were found in the world.
O’Connell 250 Symposium: Liberty, Democracy, and the Struggle for Human Rights, explores O’Connell’s European identity and how, through his ideals and his legacy, he provides a way of exploring human rights challenges and threats to democracy today.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, T.D., was among the speakers who addressed the keynote session on Tuesday 29 July. Titled ‘The Life and Global Legacies of Daniel O’Connell’, the session opened with a welcome from the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Linda Doyle, and an introduction by Imogen McGrath SC, The Bar of Ireland.
In advance of his keynote speech An Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched a new commemorative stamp marking 250 years since the birth of Daniel O’Connell.
The O’Connell 250 Symposium also include keynotes and talks by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk; international human rights expert and former UN Special Rapporteur Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin; renowned historian of O’Connell, the anti-slavery movement, and the Great Famine Professor Christine Kinealy; former Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe and current UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus Nils Muižnieks; former Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC; human rights lawyer and Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC; and the leading Italian scholar of O’Connell’s oratory and European identity, Professor Davide Mazzi.
Speaking ahead of the conference, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, T.D., said: “Daniel O'Connell is not just an iconic figure in our history, he was known and respected throughout much of the world because of his forthright dedication to the ideals of equality and freedom. This major international conference is an opportunity to reflect on this crucial element of O'Connell's legacy.”
Provost Dr Linda Doyle said: “This symposium is a significant moment in the State’s commemorations of the anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell. By bringing together academics, lawyers, human rights activists, and political leaders, this gathering demonstrates the critical role research and scholarship play in helping us to understand how the great challenges of the past provide lessons which can be applied to building a fairer world today. I am proud that Trinity is the place where much of this research and scholarship is happening, and I am delighted that this symposium is focusing, in particular, on the defence of democracy and the fight against injustice in our own time.”
Organiser of the conference and leading scholar in the political and legal career of Daniel O'Connell, Professor Patrick Geoghegan said: “The 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O'Connell is an opportunity to commemorate his life and achievements, and explore how his legacy can inform approach some of the same problems today when it comes to the denial of human rights and liberties. The Trinity Long Room Hub is delighted to bring together national and international experts to explore these issues, and the lessons we can learn from a study of The Liberator.”
The significance of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell is referenced in the Programme for Government 2025 and this symposium is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and the Government of Ireland. On 10 July, 2025, Minister Patrick O’Donovan announced the launch of the Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Programme with reference to Trinity College Dublin’s symposium among other commemorative events.
The conference is organised by the Trinity Long Room Hub in partnership with The Bar of Ireland, Glasnevin Cemetery (part of Dublin Cemeteries Trust), and Diageo, and in association with the School of Histories and Humanities and the Daniel O'Connell Summer School (29-30 August).
In addition to the O’Connell 250 Symposium, Trinity will develop an educational schools’ pack for use across the island highlighting how Irish identity was, and remains a European identity, while showcasing O’Connell’s contribution to intellectual and political thought on a global scale.
See the full programme for the two-day symposium on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th July here.
* Pictured above speaking at the conference are An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Oleksandra Matviichuk
