President Higgins leads tributes to renowned Cork historian, Professor Dermot Keogh

President Michael D. Higgins has led tributes to distinguished UCC historian Emeritus Professor Dermot Keogh, who passed away on Wednesday.

Prof Keogh, who was 78, died peacefully at his Cork city home following an illness.

A former journalist with the Irish Press and RTÉ, he worked from 1980 as an academic with UCC’s department of history, serving as Jean Monnet professor between 1990 and 1996, professor of history from 1997, and as head of department from 2002 to 2009.

He retired in 2010, but continued researching and writing.

President Higgins, who had been Prof Keogh’s friend for many years, said he had heard about his death with sadness, describing him as “one of our finest historians” and praising his particular insight into the history of Ireland’s connection with South America.

“Last year, Dermot called to Áras an Uachtaráin to present me with a copy of his book ‘Ireland and Argentina in the Twentieth Century’,” the president said.

“I also recall very clearly his work on El Salvador and the revolt of the colonels in 1979.

“Among his other most valuable contributions was his publications on Irish diplomatic relations with the Vatican, his time as editor of foreign policy archives for the RIA, and his important work on Jews in twentieth century Ireland.” 

President Higgins extended his condolences to Prof Keogh’s family, friends and colleagues.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who studied history in UCC under Prof Keogh, told The Echo that Prof Keogh had been a mentor and a great friend.

“He supervised my Master’s degree, which was on the formation of the party political system in Ireland from 1918 to 1932,” Mr Martin said.

“He taught me an awful lot in relation to history, he lectured me in undergraduate history and he was a tremendously connected man.

“I learned an awful lot from him, and I developed a good friendship with him after I left college. 

"I’ll always be in his debt for the insights he gave me in terms of history.

“He was a prolific writer, he was an authority on the Church-State relationship in Ireland, particularly on the 1937 Constitution, and the interaction between Church and State, and Rome, it’s a fascinating read,” the Tánaiste said.

Prof Keogh had been passionate about Latin America, and Archbishop Romero, Mr Martin said, and he had written “a fantastic biography of Jack Lynch”.

“He was very active and energetic in the history field, and worked very, very hard, and lectured at numerous conferences.

“Whenever I met him, he would always have a new insight on something, and he always had the interest of UCC at heart,” Mr Martin said.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Ann and to all the family. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.”

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said Prof Keogh had been deeply respected in UCC, Cork, nationally and internationally.

“Dermot had a life-long passion for and had written extensively on the history and politics of South America,” Cllr McCarthy said.

“Not only was he a renowned academic but he was a true gentleman who deeply believed in equality, solidarity and human rights. He was a man who strived to improve the lot of others. Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam.” 

President of UCC, Prof John O’Halloran, said Prof Keogh had made a huge contribution to the understanding of twentieth century Ireland.

“He was part of the fabric of UCC for many years and will be deeply missed here. We extend our sympathies to his wife Ann and all the family,” he said.