About Us

About Us

The Irish Legal History Society was formally inaugurated at a reception held in the Provost's House, Trinity College Dublin, on 12 February 1988 in the presence of the Chief Justice of Ireland, the Hon. Mr. Justice Finlay, and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon. Lord Lowry.

Under the continuing patronage of the two Chief Justices, the Society is supported by members throughout Ireland and abroad, including members of the judiciary, practising lawyers, academic lawyers and historians. Any person with an interest in Irish legal history is cordially invited to apply for membership.

The Society's objective is to encourage the study and advance the knowledge of the history of Irish law, especially by the publication of original documents and scholarly works relating to the history of Irish law, including its institutions, doctrines and personalities, and the reprinting or editing of works of sufficient rarity or importance. Accordingly, its publications are an essential part of any library that aspires to cover Irish legal, social and political history.

In addition to its publishing programme, the Society supports research through its postgraduate research studentship scheme and travelling bursary. The Society also hosts the WN Osborough Composition Prize in Legal History, and awards the Irish Legal History Society Gold Medal.

Please access news and events for further details on occasional research grants and Society events, including the Annual General Meeting, which is held every autumn at alternate venues throughout Ireland.

The Officers of the Society for 2011-2012:

Patrons

The Hon. Mrs Justice Susan Denham
Chief Justice of Ireland

The Hon. Sir Declan Morgan
Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland

Council Members

President
Professor Norma Dawson

Vice-Presidents

  • Robert D. Marshall, esq.
  • Sir Donnell Deeny

Treasurers

  • John G. Gordon, esq.
  • Felix M. Larkin, esq.

Secretaries

  • Dr. Niamh Howlin
  • Dr. Thomas Mohr

Commitee

  • Ex Officio Professor James McGuire, President 2006-2009
  • The Hon. Judge John Martin
  • The Hon. Sir Anthony Hart
  • The Hon. Mr. Justice Geoghegan
  • Professor Colum Kenny
  • Professor Desmond Greer, Q.C. (hon.)
  • Daire Hogan, esq.
  • Dr. Kevin Costello
  • Dr. Seán Patrick Donlan
  • Professor Jane Ohlmeyer
  • Dr. Robin Hickey
  • Dr. Patrick Geoghegan
  • Mr John Larkin, Q.C.
  • Ms Yvonne Mullen, B.L.
  • Mr Kenneth Ferguson, B.L.