22 August 2026
By Valerie Ryan
Valerie@TheCork.ie
Academic historians, local history researchers and heritage practitioners will explore the people, places and events that shaped Cork, from the medieval period to the present day
The rich and varied history of Cork city and county from the medieval period to the present day will be explored in free public conference in University College Cork (UCC) in September.
‘Cork Histories’, developed by UCC School of History, will bring together leading academic historians, local history researchers and heritage practitioners over two days on 11-12 September 2026.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear new research and fresh perspectives on topics ranging from the Franciscan presence in thirteenth-century Cork and the Siege of Cork in 1690 to labour and class in the nineteenth century, Skibbereen’s role in the Fenian movement, militant republicanism in University College Cork during the revolutionary era, Cork’s global connections through migration and empire, and the development of Gaelic games, rugby and sailing in the county.
Dr Donal Ó Drisceoil, UCC School of History, stated: “Cork Histories aims to strengthen links between the university and Cork’s vibrant public and local history community while showcasing a diversity of new research on the county’s past.”
The conference is also intended to lay the foundations for an annual Cork Festival of History, bringing together local communities, historians, heritage groups and cultural organisations across the city and county.
Programme highlights include keynote addresses by Howard B. Clarke, Professor Emeritus, University College Dublin, and David Dickson, Professor Emeritus, Trinity College Dublin, and nine thematic panels exploring a variety of topics with plenty of opportunity for audience engagement.
Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.
More information is available on the event page.