Regard sur le CCI : Thomas O’Connor

This evening’s lecture by Dr. Thomas O'Connor, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy in NUI Maynooth, offers a fascinating opportunity to hear about the historical origins of the Irish College in Paris. A specialist on Irish migration to Europe in the early modern period, Dr O’Connor explains how the Irish student community came to settle on the left bank and its setting within the entire Irish colleges’ network. Focusing on individuals of intellectual and cultural interest further adds to the portrait, such as the rectors Thomas Dease (1568-1651) - an accomplished Gaelic poet - and the hagiographer Thomas Messingham (d. 1638). Dr O’Connor will conclude by assessing the College community's importance for Ireland and the Irish abroad in the 17th century. Dr O’Connor holds a DEA and PhD from the Sorbonne and has been a board member of the CCI since 2005.