Today, we are pleased to announce Dr Catherine Healy as our new Historian-in-Residence. In her new role, which is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Dr Healy will carry out pioneering research in the fields of migration and diaspora studies.
Following the success of the programme to date, the museum is delighted to welcome someone new to this exciting role. Dr Healy will build upon the work of her two predecessors in the position, Dr Angela Byrne and Dr Maurice J. Casey.
“Catherine is an excellent addition to the EPIC team. She brings knowledge and experience that will enable the museum to explore little known aspects of Irish diaspora history. She will enhance our programme of events, exhibitions, publications and public programmes in person and online. Her appointment represents a continuation of EPIC’s highly successful collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs that enables us to provide an international perspective on Ireland’s migrant history.” said Dr J. Patrick Greene, Museum Director of EPIC.
The Historian-in-Residence position was renewed for 2023/24 as part of an ongoing partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Dr Healy is an historian of Irish migration with a particular interest in working-class experience. Her previous research has focused on Irish domestic servants in England and the United States. She has also researched the relationship between Irish Catholic settlers and British imperial authorities in the Caribbean as part of an international multi-institution research project, ‘A Catholic Atlantic?’.
She recently completed her PhD in the Department of History at Trinity College Dublin, and was a recipient of a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship from the Irish Research Council.
For the next two years, she will join the team at EPIC to develop a series of exhibitions, workshops and lectures. Her in-depth research will be conducted with an aim to increase awareness and understanding of Ireland’s diasporic history and promote public engagement with it.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Healy said: “I’m very excited to have this opportunity to highlight the stories – and struggles – of Irish emigrants. As a feminist historian, I’m particularly looking forward to exploring the histories of care work undertaken by generations of emigrant women.”
EPIC’s previous Historian-in-Residence, Dr Maurice J. Casey, curated the ‘Out in the World: Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Diaspora’ and ‘Revolutionary Routes: Ireland and the Black Atlantic’ exhibitions which are currently touring Irish embassies and consulates around the world.
Dr Healy will now bring her in-depth knowledge to this unique role, spearheading new research and developing strong relationships with the global Irish community over the next two years.