Aspects of the supernatural in medieval Irish and Welsh tradition

Professor Ruairí Ó hUiginn of Maynooth University

Professor Ruairí Ó hUiginn of Maynooth University will deliver the annual public lecture of the Institute of Literature, Languages and Creative Arts (ILLCA) at Aberystwyth University on Tuesday 15 March 2016 at 6pm.

The lecture entitled, ‘Strange people, strange places: aspects of the supernatural in medieval Irish and Welsh tradition’ will draw on Professor Ó hUiginn’s extensive expertise in medieval Irish and Welsh literature.

Professor Ó hUiginn is a graduate of University College Dublin where he studied Welsh alongside Modern and Medieval Irish, and Queens University Belfast where he obtained his doctorate.

No stranger to Aberystwyth, Ó hUiginn previously served the university as external examiner in Welsh and Celtic Studies.

He is the current Chair of Modern Irish at Maynooth University, where he is also Head of the School of Celtic Studies, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.

He is Chair of the Royal Irish Academy’s Foclóir Stairiúil na Nua-Ghaeilge (Historical Dictionary of Modern Irish) and Chair of An Coiste Logainmneacha (Irish Placenames Commission).

Professor Ó hUiginn will also be meeting with staff and students of Welsh and Celtic Studies to discuss his research more informally during the course of his visit to the university.

Dr Cathryn Charnell-White, Head of the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies, said: “It is a pleasure to be able to welcome Professor Ó hUiginn back to Aberystwyth University to speak on a topic which will be of particular interest in this university where we have a long tradition of comparative Celtic Studies. It promises to provide a fascinating insight into the relationship between Irish and Welsh Literature, and a timely one as we mark both Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish-language week) and St Patrick’s Day at the university”.The event will be held in the Executive Boardroom in the Visualisation Centre on the Penglais Campus of Aberystwyth University on Tuesday 15 March 2016. A complimentary drinks reception will be hosted by ILLCA from 17.30 with the public lecture commencing at 18.00. This event is open to all to attend with no pre-booking required.

The Institute of Literature, Languages and Creative Arts (ILLCA) ILLCA was created in 2013 and combines academic departments and centres of cultural excellence.  ILLCA’s research and teaching profile sits within five distinctive but cognate departments: the School of Art, English and Creative Writing, Modern Languages, Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Welsh and Celtic Studies.  ILLCA is also home to the award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre and the University Music Centre.  

ILLCA has also built on the collaborative scholarly endeavours of its academic departments and its unique location through the creation of two international research centres: The Centre for Translation and the Centre for Cultures of Place.

ILLCA’s distinctiveness is derived from the unique synergy between research excellence, research-led teaching and world-leading creative practice.  Through a close working partnership with Aberystwyth Arts Centre and collaborations with other industry partners, departments within of ILLCA are uniquely placed to offer some of the best industry links and graduate employability in the UK. 

AU8816

Share