Emilie Pine explores Dorothy Macardle’s legacy at annual Dundalk IT lecture

The Department of Humanities at Dundalk IT recently hosted Emilie Pine, Vice Principal for Research, Innovation & Impact at University College Dublin (UCD), to give the Fourth Annual Dorothy Macardle Humanities Lecture at DkIT. The lecture was titled 'Channelling the urge to write and the need to be seen.’

Pine spoke about both the invisible and visible legacy of Dorothy Macardle and other influential figures in building a stage for Irish literary culture. She also expressed her delight at being associated with a reinvigorated interest in the work of such an influential writer.

Professor Pine was welcomed by Dr Patricia Moriarty and Dr Fiona Fearon from the School of Business and Humanities who stressed the importance of making Macardle’s legacy relevant to the modern audience and bringing someone from the pages of history alive.

Professor Pine is internationally recognised for her scholarship and creative work. Her bestselling essay collection, Notes to Self, winner of the 2018 Irish Book of the Year, has been translated into 16 languages. Her debut novel, Ruth & Pen (2022), won the 2023 Kate O’Brien First Novel Award. She is currently working on a new essay collection, On Being Seen, to be published by Penguin in 2027.

Each year DkIT brings a leading academic to the campus to present a public lecture for students and faculty based on a theme related to Macardle’s many topics of interest, with a focus on identity, place and community in the area of humanities.

Read Next: Public invited to share memories and memorabilia from Dundalk's Foresters’ Hall

Dorothy Macardle, born in Dundalk in 1889, was a teacher, political activist, successful novelist, playwright, critic, historian and social campaigner for women’s and children’s rights, with a particular interest in refugees.

The lecture is once again kindly supported by Dundalk Credit Union.