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 and in the case of the Chairs in French and German the oldest continuous Chairs in these languages in the world.
The recent ceremony at the Trinity Long Room Hub (29 January 2026) featured an address by Minister Thomas Byrne T.D, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, followed by an address from Pat Cox, President of the Jean Monnet Foundation and former President of the European Parliament. Also speaking at the event was the Provost Linda Doyle, Mary Cosgrove, incumbent 1776 Professor of German and Professor Michael Cronin, Chair of French 1776 at Trinity’s School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies.
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 Barkhoff (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).
In her opening address, Professor Cosgrove said that the celebrations of 250 years of modern languages at Trinity were part of a nationwide initiative which “marks the story of the development of Modern Languages in Ireland.”
She also spoke about the “national and international significance” of Provost Hely Hutchinson’s leadership in the introduction of modern languages at Trinity and how he was “ahead of the world”, adding that the “The 1776 Chairs of Modern Foreign Languages are nearly a whole century older than their English counterparts”. Alluding to enlightenment ideals, Professor Cosgrove said that Provost Hely Hutchinson displayed “cosmopolitanism, curiosity and openness to the world”.
Mary Cosgrove
Today, the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies boasts 16 European and global languages, and is home to the Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation and the Trinity Centre for Global Intercultural Communications.
Professor Michael Cronin, Chair of French 1776, 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.”
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.
The year’s celebrations will culminate in a major conference ‘Modern Languages in Irish Life: 1776-2026 and beyond’ to be held on the 9 October 2026 in the Trinity Long Room Hub. The Trinity Long Room Hub will also host the ‘Society for Italian Studies Biennial Conference’ in July 2026.
Michael Cronin
Other events throughout the year include a conference on ‘Translation in Ireland: Past and Future’ in May and 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 will also deliver the Trinity Long Room Hub’s Annual Humanities Horizons Lecture on 21 May 2026.
Congratulating the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies on an exciting programme of celebratory events for the year ahead, Professor Patrick Geoghegan said:
“The Trinity Long Room Hub was delighted to host the opening launch ceremony kickstarting a wonderful year of commemorative events celebrating the remarkable contribution of Modern Languages in Trinity to our development as a country. The fact that the 250th anniversary falls during our forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU could not be any more timely or appropriate. This programme of events highlights the brilliant contributions of colleagues, researchers, and students in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, and we look forward to seeing how this develops, including with our annual Horizons lecture in May.”
Listen to full recording here: