Richard Kearney receives Research Ireland St. Patrick's Day Medal
Charles B. Seelig Professor of Philosophy Richard Kearney has received the prestigious Research Ireland St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Medal in honor of his achievements as an academic, author, and poet, and his efforts to aid the Northern Irish peace process. He was presented with the award by Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Miche谩l Martin at a March 13 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The Research Ireland St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Medal recognizes the contribution of academic and industry leaders in the United States across all disciplines鈥攆rom science and engineering to the arts, humanities and social sciences鈥攖o the research ecosystem in Ireland and to collaboration between research in Ireland and the United States.
Also honored was Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling. 听
Martin said the accomplishments of Kearney and Dowling 鈥渋llustrate the exceptional work being carried out by the Irish research diaspora across the United States.鈥疶he leadership and innovation of Professor Kearney and Mr. Dowling have been impactful across diverse areas, from aiding peace agreements to improving health care access. The Government of Ireland and Research Ireland are delighted to support transformative research such as this, which has wide-reaching benefits across Ireland and the U.S.鈥�
Richard Kearney at the ceremony with University College Dublin President Orla Feely. (John Harrington Photography)
A visiting professor at BC from 1986-1998, Kearney was appointed to the Seelig Chair in 1999. His research includes the areas of phenomenology, hermeneutics, aesthetics, philosophy of religion and imagination, and narrative and film, and he has taught classes in Narrative Imagination, Carnal Hermeneutics, Phenomenology of Eros, and Hermeneutics of Religion.
Kearney has authored more than 30 books on European philosophy and literature, including鈥�The Irish Mind,鈥疦avigations: Selected Irish Essays鈥�and recently co-edited鈥�Hosting Earth: Facing the Climate Crisis. He also has published fiction and poetry, and most recently the critically acclaimed 2023 novel Salvage, which is being adapted for film.
A public intellectual with an interest in compelling contemporary issues, including the impact of climate change, Kearney was involved in drafting several proposals for a Northern Irish peace agreement and has offered comments and insights in Irish, European, and North American media.听 He was a founding editor of The Crane Bag journal and his books on Irish studies include The Irish Mind, Transitions: Narratives in Irish Culture, and Navigations: Selected Irish Essays 1976-2006. He is currently the international director of the Guestbook Project鈥擧osting the Stranger: Between Hostility and Hospitality.
He has served as a visiting professor at University College Dublin鈥攚here he chaired the Irish School of Film鈥攁nd the University of Paris, and is a former member of the Arts Council of Ireland and the Higher Education Authority of Ireland.
鈥淚 am honored to be awarded the Research Ireland St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Medal,鈥� said Kearney. 鈥淢y connection with Ireland has always been central to my career. Bringing people together to share stories and perspectives is key to addressing our era鈥檚 greatest challenges. Collaborations and exchanges can help to transcend divides and build peace and reconciliation. I look forward to continuing my work with colleagues in both the U.S. and Ireland to strengthen empathy and understanding.鈥澨�
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