Professor Diarmaid Ferriter appointed new patron of Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation
30 January 2026
Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, UCD School of History
(opens in a new window)Professor Diarmaid Ferriter has been named the patron of the (opens in a new window)Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation, a charity dedicated to preserving and developing the legacy of Dr Éamon Phoenix.
The foundation works to preserve and expand access to the late historian writings and broadcasts, while also developing educational initiatives focused on Ireland’s contested past.
In his new role, Professor Ferriter will support this mission to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation through the study of history.
He succeeds Dr Martin Mansergh, who served as patron until his death in September 2025.
“It is an honour to serve as patron of the Éamon Phoenix Foundation, especially at a time when the communication and sharing of evidence-led historical understanding is more vital than ever,” said Professor Ferriter, UCD School of History.
“Éamon’s mission throughout his distinguished career was, in his own words, ‘to challenge, inform and stimulate dialogue about the formative events in the shaping of Ireland today’, and the foundation is deeply committed to honouring that mission and Éamon’s rich legacy.”
Dr Éamon Phoenix
Welcoming Professor Ferriter as new patron, Alice Phoenix, Chair of Trustees of the foundation, and widow of Dr Phoenix, said: “He is a historian of the highest standing, admired not only for his scholarship but for his ability to communicate complex and sensitive history with clarity, balance and humanity.
“Éamon held Diarmaid’s work in the greatest respect, and there is a deep alignment between their shared belief that history, when rigorously and honestly approached, can foster understanding rather than division. The trustees and I are immensely grateful for his support.”
The Éamon Phoenix Foundation was established in memory of Dr Phoenix, a highly respected historian and long-time contributor to The Irish News, where his On This Day column ran for more than three decades.
The appointment comes as the charity advances a range of projects, including the expansion of its online archive, a significant resource for scholars and the wider public, and digitally recreate Dr Phoenix’s voice for archival purposes.
Professor Ferriter is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading interpreters of modern Irish history, with a substantial body of acclaimed publications and a prominent role in public debate, broadcasting and education.
His work consistently emphasises critical engagement with historical sources, contextual understanding and the importance of resisting simplistic narratives of the past.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from UCD Sport)
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
