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What does it mean to live on an island, and why does it matter now? In his new book, 'Ireland: Why it matters to be an island', Michael Cronin asks us to rethink Ireland's relationship with the sea Read an extract from the book on @rte.ie: www.rte.ie/culture/2026...

Smiling older man in glasses and a brown jacket holds a colorful book outdoors beside a calm lake.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 10h

Join us at the Royal Irish Academy on Tuesday, 13 October at 6:00pm for the second event in the RIA Discourse Series 2026/27, on the theme of 'diversity'. Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity Book your tickets: www.eventbrite.ie/e/discourse-...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 07/10/2026

The latest @arinsproject.bsky.social podcast is now available! In this month’s podcast host Rory Montgomery speaks with Alan Whysall and Andrew McCormick. Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3lde...

Teal podcast cover reading “The ARTS Podcast,” with a black bird graphic and text: “With Alan Whysall & Andrew McCormick.”

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 07/10/2026

Join Michael Cronin in the beautiful nave of @cccdublin.bsky.social on 10 Oct, as he discusses his new book ‘Ireland: Why it matters to be an Island’, published by the RIA, as part of Dublin Festival of History 2026: christchurchcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/... @gutterbookshop.bsky.social

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 06/10/2026

Marie Donnelly is Chair of the External Advisory Board of ENTSO-E (European electricity grid operators), member of the RIA’s Climate Change and Environmental Sciences Committee, member of MaREI’s governance committee and member of @ucddublin.bsky.social’s energy institute.

A woman and a man in academic robes stand before glass-fronted bookcases filled with historic leather-bound books.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 06/10/2026

We were pleased to welcome Marie Donnelly at the Royal Irish Academy on 30 September to sign the Members’ Roll Book.

A woman signs a large guestbook at a wooden table while a man stands beside her in a library.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 05/10/2026

📢 The programme is now available for Who Pays for Creativity? Tax Policy for Creative Industries. 🎬 From screen production and visual effects to literature and public policy, this event brings together experts from across the creative ecosystem. Register here: www.ria.ie/events/who-p...

Illustration of paint palettes and a palette-shaped artist’s blotter above an open red paint box.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 03/10/2026

Applications are now open for the Archaeological Archives Research Grant. The 2027 round is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through the @nationalmons.bsky.social. Apply for 2027 funding by 15 October: www.ria.ie/grants/archa...

Hand holding a small fragment of dried oyster shell over a spread of broken shells.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 02/10/2026

Congratulations to @mauricejcasey.com and John Waddell MRIA for winning the 2026 Michel Déon Prize for non-fiction, in the first joint-awarding of the prestigious prize. Read more about the Michel Déon Prize ceremony on the RIA website: www.ria.ie/2026/10/02/m...

Group of smiling adults posing together at an evening event, with two people holding books.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 30/09/2026

Applications are now open for the Archaeology Legacy Grant. The 2027 round is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through the @nationalmons.bsky.social Apply for 2027 funding by 15 October www.ria.ie/grants/archa... 📸 Lisleagh excavation in 1981 from Michael Monk

Archaeologists excavate a rocky outdoor site, using tools, buckets, measuring grids, and surveying equipment.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 30/09/2026

📅 13 October 2026, 6:00pm: 'Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity' A panel discussion looking at how political systems reflect or fail to reflect the diversity of the societies they serve. Book your tickets: www.eventbrite.ie/e/discourse-...

Coral poster for a Royal Irish Academy discourse series, “Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity,” featuring three speakers.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 25/09/2026

'Ireland: Why it Matters to Be an Island' is available to purchase from the RIA website in paperback and eBook formats: shop.ria.ie/products/ire...

A speaker is addressing an audience in a historic hall.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 25/09/2026

Cronin explores the significance of Ireland’s island geography and asks what it means for the country’s history, identity and future. To mark its publication, the RIA hosted an event on 24 September where the book was formally launched by Alex White, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council.

Three men pose in a library smiling at the camera.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 25/09/2026

The RIA is pleased to announce the publication of 'Ireland: Why it matters to be an island', a new book by Michael Cronin MRIA: www.ria.ie/2026/09/25/r...

Stacks of the book “Ireland: Why It Matters to Be an Island” by Michael Cronin, featuring blue wave patterns and yellow circles.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 25/09/2026

✨Nearly there! On 1 October the awarding ceremony for the 2026 Michel Déon Prize for non-fiction will take place. Looking back: in 2024, Vona Groarke won the Prize for 'Hereafter: The Telling Life of Ellen O'Hara'.

This image is the book cover for “Hereafter: The telling life of Ellen O’Hara” by Vona Groarke. It features an antique pocket watch and chain, open to reveal the cogs inside, against a pale background. The title and the author’s name are in red text. The subtitle and a quote from Colm Tóibín are in black text. The quote reads: “A groundbreaking way of investigating a traumatic period in history, not only Irish history, but American history too.”

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 22/09/2026

Join leading researchers, policymakers and creative industry experts at the RIA to explore one of the biggest questions facing the sector: who pays for creativity, and how should public policy support it? Places are limited. Register now: www.ria.ie/events/who-p...

An abstract graphic illustration on a tan background. Three teal icons float in a row: a film reel on the left, an artist's palette with colored paint dots in the center, and a video game D-pad on the right. Below the palette, several black circles of varying sizes float downward, as if being deposited into a slot at the top of a red box situated at the bottom center.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 20/09/2026

Anne-Marie McAlinden is Professor of Law and Criminal Justice at the @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social. Her recent RIA Members’ Research Series piece explores the challenges of responding to sexual and gender-based violence. Learn more about Prof McAlinden's research: www.ria.ie/blog/anne-ma...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 19/09/2026

Event poster for Discourse Series titled "Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity" on 13 October at 6 p.m., hosted by Royal Irish Academy.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 18/09/2026

Michel Déon Prize Lookback. In 2022, the Michel Déon Prize was awarded to @sallyhayd.bsky.social for 'My Fourth Time, We Drowned' (@harpercollins.bsky.social, 4th Estate), a powerful exploration of migration, displacement, and human resilience.

Book cover of "My Fourth Time, We Drowned" by Sally Hayden, featuring turbulent ocean waves and a quote by Sally Rooney.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 17/09/2026

It was an honour to welcome An Taoiseach, @micheal-martin.bsky.social to officially launch Beyond the Walls on Friday as part of the opening of TU Dublin’s new Academic Hub and Library. Find out more on the RIA website: www.ria.ie/2026/09/17/t... @grangegormandev.bsky.social

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 17/09/2026

Join us tomorrow from 5:00pm at the Royal Irish Academy for @culturenightdub.bsky.social. No booking required; walk-ins welcome on the night. In the meantime, to get an idea of what to expect from this year’s event, visit the RIA's Culture Night webpage: www.ria.ie/work/public-...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 17/09/2026

Join us at the RIA on Monday, 28 September at 6:00pm, for the panel discussion 'To BA or not to BA?', exploring the provision and choice to study arts and humanities at an undergraduate level. Places are still available. Book your tickets: www.ria.ie/events/panel...

Hand holding a black graduation cap with tassel, city buildings in the blurred background, symbolizing achievement.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 16/09/2026

Join us on Friday 23 October for a one-day event organised by the @arinsproject.bsky.social (a joint initiative of the RIA and @notredame.bsky.social), @ulsteruni.bsky.social, and the Campaign for Social Science as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science week www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rebooting-...

Minimalist illustration of two abstract birds with orange, yellow, and gray shapes flying against a light blue background.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 15/09/2026

Don’t miss the @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social article by @melissabaird.bsky.social, Assistant Editor of @difp-ria.bsky.social, looking back at the controversy surrounding Rhodesian competitors at the 1973 World Ploughing Championships in Wexford: www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... 📸: RTÉ Archives

A person driving a blue and white tractor plowing a field under a cloudy sky.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 15/09/2026

Join us in the RIA on Wed, 30 Sept at 6:00pm for the opening event of the RIA Discourse Series 2026/27! A lecture by Prof Liselotte Højgaard, @erc.europa.eu, with a response from Linda Hogan MRIA, Secretary to the RIA and Professor at @tcddublin.bsky.social www.eventbrite.ie/e/discourse-...

A promotional graphic for a discourse series focused on diversity in research

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 14/09/2026

'Ignoring the fact of living on an island is a luxury its inhabitants can no longer afford.' In his new book, 'Ireland: Why it matters to be an island', Michael Cronin asks us to rethink Ireland's relationship with the sea and consider what our island status means in an age of climate emergency.

A smiling man with glasses and a checked jacket stands in front of a stylized Ireland-themed background with wavy blue-green lines and text.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 13/09/2026

Oíche Chultúir 2026 ag Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann! @culturenightdub.bsky.social 2026 at the Royal Irish Academy! Friday, 18 September, 5:00–9:00pm. In the meantime, to get an idea of what to expect from this year’s event, take a look at some of the highlights from the RIA’s Culture Night 2025

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 12/09/2026

Join us at the Royal Irish Academy on Monday, 28 September at 6:00pm, for the panel discussion 'To BA or not to BA?', exploring the provision and choice to study arts and humanities at an undergraduate level. Book your tickets: www.ria.ie/events/panel-discussion-…

A black graduation cap with a black tassel rests on a solid, light blue background, casting a soft shadow beneath it.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 11/09/2026

#LookBack to 2020, when Conor O’Clery won the RIA Michel Déon Prize for The Shoemaker and His Daughter @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social The book traces one family's journey through 80 years of Soviet and Russian history, from Stalin to Putin, blending family memories with historical change.

Cover of The Shoemaker and His Daughter by Conor O'Clery. A bright red book cover featuring black shoemaker's shoes, decorative shoelace motifs, and a hammer-and-sickle symbol. The subtitle describes one family's journey from Stalin's Soviet Union to Putin's Russia.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 10/09/2026

We are delighted to announce that Professor James Maynard will deliver the 2026 Hamilton Lecture. Professor Maynard is a Fields Medal Winner based in @ox.ac.uk and will present his talk on the mysteries of prime numbers on Friday, 16 October. Book your ticket: www.eventbrite.ie/e/2026-hamil...

Split image: colorful waveforms and arcs on left, young man in white shirt standing in front of a bookshelf on right.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 10/09/2026

The Charlemont grant scheme for early career researchers wishing to travel to carry out primary research in any subject is now open and accepting applications. This year up to €3,000 is available and applications will be accepted until 27 October: www.ria.ie/grants/charl...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 09/09/2026

🎨 Who pays for creativity? Join academics, policymakers, and industry leaders at the RIA for a timely discussion on tax policy and Ireland's creative industries. Featuring keynote speaker @edithsepp.bsky.social, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute. Register now: www.ria.ie/events/who-p...

A video game controller, an artist's palette, and a directional pad above a red box with black dots floating between them.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 09/09/2026

What does it mean to live on an island, and why does it matter now? In his new book, Ireland: Why it matters to be an island, Michael Cronin asks us to rethink Ireland's relationship with the sea and consider what our island status means in an age of climate emergency Pre-order now: bit.ly/4cBfZ2H

Book cover of "Ireland: Why It Matters to Be an Island" by Michael Cronin, featuring stylized waves and a sun on a beige background.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 07/09/2026

The MS of the Week is RIA MS C iii 1, the Annals of Connacht, and it is on display in the Reading Room of the Library this week from 10.00-16.30, Monday-Friday. Come visit! Check @rialibrary.bsky.social to learn more about this Manuscript and explore highlights from the Library’s collections.

Close-up of an ancient manuscript page showing columns of medieval handwritten text with large ornate capital letters and faded ink.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 06/09/2026

Abhay Pandit is Professor in Biomaterials and Director of the @researchireland.ie CÚRAM, @uniofgalway.bsky.social Prof Pandit’s RIA Members Research Series blog explains how glyco-functionalisation could help design biomaterials that communicate with the immune system Read his blog bit.ly/4qRUGzX

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 05/09/2026

In the latest episode of @arinsproject.bsky.social ‘My Identity’ podcast, Prof Colin Graham is in conversation with @patriciastephenson.bsky.social, the Social Democrats Senator for the Labour Panel in Seanad Éireann. Listen now: bit.ly/4qRgrzG

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 04/09/2026

📚 Looking back as we count down to this year's Michel Déon Prize announcement... In December 2018, the inaugural RIA Michel Déon Prize for Non-Fiction was awarded to historian Breandán MacSuibhne, @uniofgalway.bsky.social, for The End of Outrage: Post-Famine Adjustment in Rural Ireland.

Book cover of "The End of Outrage" by Breandán Mac Suibhne, featuring an illustration of three gaunt rural figures in a somber landscape.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 04/09/2026

Did you know that in the Middle Ages the Isle of Man had its own distinctive variety of Latin? This striking finding has resulted from the RIA’s Dictionary of Medieval Latin from Celtic Sources (DMLCS) Find out more about the DMLCS and the RIA’s other research programmes www.ria.ie/research-pro...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 03/09/2026

The RIA is aware that the link sent to our subscribers earlier this morning to update their subscription preferences is not working properly due to high traffic. We are currently working to resolve the issue and will notify you as soon as it has been fixed. Thank you for your patience.

Close-up of a black door with a gold plaque reading "Royal Irish Academy" and a glass door with a push sign on a sunny street.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 03/09/2026

This year the RIA is pleased to announce that in addition to the annual funding for archaeological research which is made possible by the support of the @nationalmons.bsky.social focused funding is also available for research into Norman Ireland www.ria.ie/grants/

A stylized sun featuring a red and black design, radiating vibrant energy and artistic flair.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 02/09/2026

The RIA is delighted to announce the continuation of the Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Network Grants, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. All details of the scheme are available here: www.ria.ie/grants/irela...

A diverse group of people standing together in a green field, smiling and enjoying the outdoors.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 01/09/2026

Celebrate Dublin Festival of History with the RIA The RIA and its research programmes will be running a number of events during the Dublin Festival of History (26 Sept – 11 Oct) For more details, visit: www.ria.ie/work/public-... @ihtaria.bsky.social @difp-ria.bsky.social @rialibrary.bsky.social

Black and white historical map showing detailed layout of Dublin city and surrounding areas, including roads, rivers, and terrain features.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 31/08/2026

'To BA or not to BA?' Join us on Mon, 28 Sept at 6:00pm for a panel discussion exploring the decision to pursue arts and humanities studies at undergraduate level. Book your tickets via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ie/e/panel-disc...

Black graduation cap with tassel on a light blue background, centered left with ample empty space on the right.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 30/08/2026

Paul McSweeney is Full Professor of Food Chemistry in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, @ucc.ie His recent RIA Members’ Research Series piece explains how milk is far more than just a beverage. Learn more about Professor McSweeney's research: www.ria.ie/blog/paul-mc...

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 28/08/2026

To mark National Heritage Week (15 – 23 August 2026), the RIA hosted a range of events and activities that highlighted Ireland’s rich cultural heritage through the work of @rialibrary.bsky.social and our research programmes including the @ihtaria.bsky.social, Grangegorman Histories and the @dri.ie.

Pink bunting with "National Heritage Week" hangs along a black metal fence on a city street.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 28/08/2026

Oíche Chultúir 2026 ag Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann! Culture Night Dublin 2026 at the Royal Irish Academy! Dé hAoine, 18 Meán Fómhair, 5:00–9:00pm. Friday, 18 September, 5:00–9:00pm. @dib.ie @dri.ie @ihtaria.bsky.social @difp-ria.bsky.social @rialibrary.bsky.social @arinsproject.bsky.social

Illustration of a building entrance with stairs on a green background, featuring Royal Irish Academy and Culture Night logos below.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 27/08/2026

Thank you to @hugoparlier.bsky.social @unifr.bsky.social for his fantastic lecture, delivered last night in the Royal Irish Academy in collaboration with the Irish Mathematical Society.

A man stands smiling in front of a presentation slide titled "Traces" with abstract line drawings and text showing "Hugo Parlier, Université de Fribourg."

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 25/08/2026

The RIA is coming to Electric Picnic! Stop by the Leviathan tent on 28 Aug 2026 3:30pm in Mindfield and discuss the ‘unique relationship’? —Ireland and the USA 1920-present.

Close-up of a black door with a shiny brass plaque reading "Royal Irish Academy" and a glass door with a "Push" sign.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 24/08/2026

Huge thanks to everyone who responded to our request for feedback on the format of our new editions of Tim Robinson's iconic map series!

Black and white portrait of an elderly man beside the cover of "Connemara: a one-inch map" by Tim Robinson featuring a coastal map.

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Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie · 22/08/2026

Dr Eoin Kinsella from @dib.ie tells Oliver Callan on @rteradio1.bsky.social about the early history of flying in Ireland, taking a look at the achievements of some well-known – and not so well known – Irish aviation pioneers Listen back: bit.ly/3SLCf36 For more on the DIB visit www.dib.ie

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