Our unique link with Ireland

As the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, receives an honorary degree, Professor Enda Delaney reflects on our special relationship with our neighbours across the water.

The University of Edinburgh’s special links with the Republic of Ireland were reaffirmed on 28 June when His Excellency Michael D Higgins, the President of Ireland, received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at a graduation ceremony in the Usher Hall.

President Higgins, a politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster, delivered a passionate address emphasising the common bonds between Ireland and Scotland.

“Scotland and Ireland are nations who facilitate and value dialogue, nations who wield moral authority rather than a sword, and we are also nations that believe in the power of education and ideas to change the world,” he told the Usher Hall audience.

Speaking directly to new alumni, President Higgins urged them to consider their responsibilities as they embarked on their journey after graduation.

He said: “May a passion for justice and equality be the force that drives you in all of your future endeavours. May you not only acquire and retain passionate ethical consciousness, but also a sense of wonder, of possibilities never fully exhausted.”

Judging by the enthusiastic response from the graduates and their families and friends, this address touched a chord and will remain with them for many years to come.

Edinburgh’s Irish alumni

Since the establishment of the University in 1583, Irish people have travelled “across the water” to study at Edinburgh. During the 18^th century Edinburgh’s burgeoning reputation ensured many Irish students came to this city, home of the Scottish Enlightenment.

The list of graduates in medicine contains numerous Irish names, many of whom have made their mark on the development of medical practice in their home country.

There is also a long-standing link between New College and the Irish Presbyterian Church in the training of ministers. Many other subjects across the University in science, engineering and the social sciences continue to attract talented Irish students.

Forefront of the field

In the field of history, Edinburgh is unique among British universities in that courses were offered on Irish history since the late 1980s, taught by the legendary historian and writer Owen Dudley Edwards. These early beginnings laid the groundwork for more recent developments: academic staff and students can draw on a tradition of excellence stretching back more than 40 years when Irish history was first taught to undergraduates.

Today Edinburgh has a world-class reputation in Irish history, and is widely considered to be one of the top global universities in this field with both strength and depth.

The Irish History Research Group in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology has the largest number of PhD students in the world working on modern Irish history outside of the island of Ireland itself. Young scholars come from Trinity College Dublin, University College London, York, University College Dublin as well as Edinburgh.

The group’s activities extend far beyond the University. For example, for the past three years it has hosted a film series, Screening Irish History, jointly organised with Edinburgh’s Filmhouse cinema.