Renowned folklorist Professor Henry Glassie receives honorary degree
22 May 2025
Professor Henry Glassie speaking at the conferring of his honorary degree from University College Dublin Credit: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography
In recognition of his tireless advocate for folklore and understanding the human experience, pioneering ethnologist Professor Henry Glassie has received an honorary degree from University College Dublin.
In a career that has led to numerous honours and achievements, including an appointment to the United States National Council on the Humanities by President Bill Clinton, the 84-year-old has not only reshaped the field of folklore studies but “also deepened our collective understanding of the cultural fabric that unites and defines human beings”.
This is according to Associate Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, who in her citation echoed his own words.
Referencing a piece written by the renowned folklorist about Welsh archaeologist Emyr Estyn Evans, where he was described as “one in a tiny aristocracy of the mind who created the intellectual world we inhabit and whose writings will inspire scholars yet unborn”, she said same could be said of Professor Glassie and his work.
“And I hope he will forgive me for borrowing his elegant accolade and turning it back on himself,” she added.
“In his work on the folklore of Ireland, his contribution has been exceptional. Having lived in Ballymenone, County Fermanagh, for almost a decade from the early 1970s, he published a number of books inspired by the people of that place, including All Silver and No Brass: An Irish Christmas Mumming, Passing the Time in Ballymenone: Culture and history of an Ulster community, and The Stars of Ballymenone.
“These publications are landmark works which have become classic texts for students of folklore in Ireland and abroad, along with many other items on his very long list of publications.
“With his breadth of vision, [he] has rendered invaluable service to our understanding of Irish popular tradition and vernacular culture, and he can truly be described as a towering figure in the study of Irish Folklore for more than half a century.”
It was a pleasure to present an honorary doctorate today to Prof. Henry Glassie of (opens in a new window)@IUBloomington, in recognition of his many contributions to the study of Irish and world folklore. (opens in a new window)pic.twitter.com/8qRNXu6xJA
— Orla Feely (@OrlaFeely) (opens in a new window)May 21, 2025
It was only fitting, she added, for UCD to acknowledge and celebrate the work of Professor Glassie given his long-standing links with the University, and especially with the National Folklore Collection and its predecessors.
Ahead of receiving his honorary degree, Professor Glassie visited the National Folklore Collection and took part in a discussion with Jonny Dillon, Interim Director of the collection and host of the podcast Blúiríní Béaloidis.
Professor Glassie's work in Ireland is only part of the story Professor Ní Fhloinn continued, detailing his extensive fieldwork on the vernacular traditions of Turkey, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Nigeria, and in his own country, the United States.
“The stories he records are not merely data to be analysed but the lived experiences of real people,” she added.
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Professor Henry Glassie visiting part of the National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin Credit: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography
Central to bringing about the awarding of honorary degree to Professor Glassie was poet and playwright Vincent Woods, an alum of UCD and a close friend of Professor Glassie and his wife for many years.
Reading his words, Professor Ní Fhloinn said: “[Glassie] was a citizen and scholar of the world… with a rare gift of recognising and celebrating what appears small and local, acknowledging art and naming it anew.”
Associate Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn and Professor Henry Glassie Credit: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography
Also, at the conferring was read a message from former American ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin.
Offering her warmest congratulations, she said Professor Glassie represented American scholarship at its finest and that his work demonstrates what that scholarship can achieve, in Ireland and elsewhere.
“For that, we offer him our sincere thanks and salute him today on this happy occasion.”
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
