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SPECIAL FEATURE | Creating Opportunity Out of Change


(Photo captioned: Jane Ohlmeyer, Historian and TCD Academic)

Jane Ohlmeyer Ph.D., M.A. (j.o.) F.T.C.D. (1991) explains how Ireland can prosper again by following the examples set by our predecessors.

In the days before College term begins, Jane Ohlmeyer, is juggling family life and the completion of her new book, a tome on the peerage of 17th century Ireland. As a renowned historian and academic, she has a unique view to look at where we are as a country.

“Where is Ireland at the moment? Obviously the circumstances are unique, the context is unique. But I think what we can do, when we look back in time, is examine the periods when Ireland faced great challenges and adversity, with the world in turmoil the way it is at the moment. We have much to learn from history.”

Rebellions, oppression, the Great Famine; recent history is full of examples, and out of each, Ohlmeyer picks some common strands. “In the past the Irish responded to periods of adversity by large scale migration”, she says. “What I’ve been struck by is how successful these migrants actually were. Despite the circumstances, they prospered. We’re great entrepreneurs, great survivors, and have that ability to face adversity and overcome it. That’s a tribute to the ability of the Irish to adapt and survive.”

Examples of what she means are plentiful: the Irish-American community, the merchants, adventurers and entrepreneurs who prospered on the back of the European global empires. Wherever the Irish go, we seem to succeed. The current crisis is causing another wave of emigration, which will create a range of short-term problems for Ireland, but ultimately the Irish spirit will prevail.

Even in the darkest cloud there is often a silver lining. The need to survive in periods of adversity involves a recalibration of people’s lives and Ohlmeyer hopes that “we will be able to return to the more basic values that shaped and sustained Irishness for centuries and escape the greed and materialism which has consumed Ireland in recent years."

Positive opportunities can arise out of change, and the Irish spirit of innovation, bring us around to the university sector. As a practising lecturer, Ohlmeyer has some strong views on the value of teaching. “I think we have a hugely signifi cant role,” she believes. “We’re teaching future generations, nurturing creative minds, and hopefully these kids will emerge as socially responsible persons who will care about the greater good. We’re there to impart knowledge about specifi c disciplines, but we’re also there to teach them to be creative, innovative, think critically – and use their brains wisely.”

Teaching is only one part of the role of a university though. Equally important are the other chances to effect change. “I think that the universities can provide leadership, and I think that’s critically important. Universities can help provide that, if not from within, then through people they have trained.” She cites Mary Robinson, as an excellent example of the individuals she admires. But it’s not all about one person or another.

“It’s about building a team – it’s not about individuals,” she says. “Universities are very well placed to foster that team spirit. For example, some of the greatest achievements in research often occur at the edges of disciplines, in other words where historians get together with computer scientists, linguists, and mathematicians, that’s where exciting discoveries can be made.” She concludes by suggesting that we need to “build on our very real strengths, focus on achieving excellence in teaching and research and work in partnership – alumni included – to ensure that Trinity becomes a University of global consequence.”

"Despite the circumstances, they prospered. We’re great entrepreneurs, great survivors, and have that ability to face adversity and overcome it"


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