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Dr Peter Hession is the first appointee of the new ��ɫ��Ƶ O’Malley Fellowship: Advancing Irish Studies, supported by the Irish American Cultural Institute. 

Dr Hession, a historian currently based at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, was selected following a competitive international process.  

The O’Malley Fellowship is designed to support advanced research in Irish history, literature, and cultural studies, while contributing to the vibrant intellectual community at ��ɫ��Ƶ.  

The fellowship also honours the enduring cultural legacy of Helen Hooker O’Malley and Ernie O’Malley, whose lives and work made a significant contribution to the promotion of Irish artistic and scholarly engagement in Ireland and abroad.  

Professor Christina Morin, Assistant Dean, Research in UL’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences welcomed the appointment. 

“As a faculty and as a community of scholars with deep interests and expertise in Irish Studies, we are delighted to welcome Dr Peter Hession to UL to advance his exciting research and to share it with us.  

“We’re indebted to the Irish American Cultural Institute for their help in establishing this fellowship and look forward to it strengthening and amplifying the university’s research culture while facilitating excellent and impactful Irish Studies research.”  

Ahead of commencing his fellowship residency in February 2026, Dr Hession said: “It is an honour to join UL this semester. The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has a remarkable community of scholars working in Irish Studies, and I am very much looking forward to engaging with colleagues and students while advancing this new phase of my research.”  

Dr Hession’s research focuses on the environmental, political, and technological histories of 19^th century Ireland.  

His forthcoming book, Famine of Things: Technology and the Great Irish Hunger, offers a major new perspective on the material forces shaping famine, survival, and governance.  

During his fellowship, Dr Hession will pursue a new project, ‘Famine Roads: A Reassessment’ and will deliver a public lecture ��ɫ��Ƶ.  

Dr Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean of the Faculty, said: “Dr Hession’s innovative scholarship, and particularly his re-examination of the social, political, and material histories of 19th century Ireland, aligns strongly with the University’s commitment to supporting rigorous, impactful research.  

“We are delighted to welcome Dr Hession to our academic community and look forward to the significant contributions his fellowship will bring to our students, colleagues and the wider field of Irish Studies.”