The Irish Association of Professional Historians was deeply sad to learn of the death of our member and friend Dr Alan McCarthy. Alan was a talented and prolific young historian who had already contributed significantly to the field of modern Irish history, especially the history of the press, the history of the Irish revolution, and local history. A graduate of University College Cork, he was conferred with a PhD in 2019. He was the author of Newspapers and Journalism in Cork, 1910-23: Press, Politics and Revolution (Four Courts Press, 2020) and numerous important book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. The quality of his scholarship was recognised by the NUI which awarded his book its Special Commendation for the Publication Prize in Irish History in 2021. As well as his academic prowess, Alan was also, however, committed to public engagement and discussing history beyond the walls of the university. He worked in Michael Collins House, Clonakilty as tour guide, and helped to organise lectures and public events in the area as well as giving many lectures himself. A gifted and charismatic public speaker, he contributed to radio and television documentaries on RTÉ regarding the Irish revolutionary period and modern Irish history.
More recently, Alan was ACE Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCC writing a history of adult education in the south of Ireland from 1946-2021. The fruit of this research was published in his second book, The Laurels: Adult Education and Lifelong Learning at UCC 1946-2022 (Cork University Press, 2023). His third book, marking one hundred years of Cork city sports, will be published later this year. Many IAPH members recall friendly encounters and conversations with Alan at Irish history conferences where his absence will be keenly felt.
The IAPH extends its sincere sympathies to Alan’s wife Sarah, his entire family as well as his many friends in the field of Irish history and beyond. Ar dheis DĂ© go raibh a anam dĂlis.