EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has today announced Dr Angela Byrne as the new DFAT Historian-in-Residence at the Dublin centre.
Dr Byrne, who is from Culdaff, has been selected to conduct pioneering research in the field of Irish migration and diaspora studies at the interactive EPIC museum in Dublin’s Docklands. The role has been created in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Dr Angela Byrne has written, researched and lectured on a range of subjects including the diaspora, the Irish in Russia, the history of travel and exploration, and women in the sciences.
Angela holds a PhD in History from the National University of Ireland Maynooth, and has held lecturing and research positions at Ulster University, the University of Greenwich, National University of Ireland Maynooth, University of Toronto, and the Royal Irish Academy. She is author of Geographies of the Romantic North: Science, Antiquarianism, and Travel, 1790–1830, and will publish her second book later this year.
Angela Byrne says: “I’m looking forward to communicating to a wider audience even more stories of the exceptional Irish people that have made their mark on the globe. I’m especially interested in women in the Irish diaspora and celebrating their achievements.”
EPIC Ireland. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Neville Isdell, Founder and Chairman of EPIC, says: “This role is an exciting development for the museum as it will allow us to further connect with stories of the global Irish. We are delighted to have the generous support of DFAT and Minister of State for the Diaspora Ciarán Cannon. Angela’s experience and depth of historical knowledge will be an excellent addition to our ongoing work at EPIC.”
Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon, T.D., welcomed the appointment, saying: “I am pleased that my Department is sponsoring this new position at EPIC. This is an area of research that fully merits our support and Dr Byrne’s work will be an excellent resource, both for EPIC and for the Department, to grow our reach and connections with the Irish diaspora.”
Achieving Infamy exhibit at EPIC Ireland
The historian-in-residence will develop relationships with the global Irish community and develop engagement with the diaspora worldwide. They will also promote greater awareness and understanding of our shared history by researching and developing a series of exhibitions, plus a programme of workshops and lectures.
