Marking 100 years of Cork University Press

Cork University Press (CUP) was founded in 1925 by Alfred O’Rahilly, University College Cork’s Registrar and future President.

O’Rahilly, described by the late Professor John A. Murphy as a “volatile and bustling polymath of seemingly inexhaustible energy and creativity”, was to be the Press’s greatest champion for many years, dedicating time, and personal financial investment, to keep it afloat.

In its founding year, the Press published a pamphlet entitled Urban Milk Supply by M. Grimes of the Faculty of Dairy Science. It seems fitting that the Press’s first publication was a study of dairy as the university has become renowned globally for its excellence in food science.

Like many university presses, the Cork one initially reflected the academic strengths of its parent institution, with most authors drawn from the faculty and publications across the full array of disciplines including science.

Over the past century, that focus has been refined and the Press has evolved into a globally recognised publisher of excellence in Irish studies across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, with authors from as far afield as the U.S, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, CUP proudly celebrates its place as Ireland’s oldest university Press. Although Dublin University Press may stake a claim to this accolade, it no longer operates within an institutional setting with the core element of any university press – its expert editorial committee made up of university staff.

As we prepare to celebrate this centenary with a symposium on September 11 at University College Cork, it is worth reflecting on the enduring relevance of university presses and the unique legacy of Cork University Press.

Founded with a mission to stimulate Irish learning, the Press has consistently championed rigorously peer-reviewed, and research-led, publications whilst also developing a list that captures the general reader’s interest. With a backlist of nearly 600 active titles, our works are widely read and cited by scholars and students both in Ireland and internationally.

The centenary symposium, Cork University Press, and Irish Intellectual Life, will bring together leading voices in public scholarship, culture and academia. Speakers such as Prof Claire Connolly, Prof Linda Connolly, Feargal Keane, Dr Síle Ní Mhurcú, Prof Cormac Ó Gráda, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Eoin Reardon, and Virginia Teehan, will explore the Press’s role in shaping Irish intellectual and cultural life.

The symposium will showcase landmark publications from the Press’s rich history. From early works like Dánta Grádha (1926), A Handbook Of Irish Music (1928), and The Economic History Of Cork City (1937), to modern classics such as The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing Volumes IV and V (2002), Webb’s An Irish Flora (2012), Gaelic Games on Film (2019), and Irish Country Furniture and Furnishings (2020), the programme reflects the breadth and depth of the Press’s contributions to Irish scholarship.

One of the most significant achievements in recent years is the Atlas Series, which has brought scholarly insight to a wider audience. Titles such as Atlas Of The Great Irish Famine (2012), Atlas Of The Irish Revolution (2017), Coastal Atlas Of Ireland (2021), and Atlas Of The Irish Civil War (2024) have not only won prestigious awards - including multiple An Post Irish Book Awards - but inspired documentaries, radio programmes, and educational materials. These works have strengthened connections with international alumni and the Irish diaspora, with launches held in the UK, US, and Australia.

The Press’s impact extends beyond books. In 1997, Sara Wilbourne, Director of Cork University Press, made a pivotal move in acquiring the Attic Press imprint, ensuring its legacy would continue to thrive within a broader academic and cultural framework.

This transition was more than administrative - it was a reaffirmation of Attic Press’s radical roots and its commitment to transformative feminist discourse.

Co-founded by Mary Paul Keane and Róisín Conroy as an imprint of the Irish Feminist Information (IFI) network, Attic Press emerged from a dynamic collaboration that fused publishing expertise with activist strategy. As Wilbourne carried Attic Press into a new era, she also carried forward the spirit of its founders, continuing to champion feminist voices and preserve a vital part of Ireland’s publishing history.

As we mark this milestone, it is important to recognise the broader significance of university presses. In an age of misinformation and shrinking attention spans, they offer a vital counterbalance - providing peer-reviewed, evidence-based, knowledge that informs public discourse and policy. They articulate the value of the humanities, amplify regional voices, and preserve cultural heritage.

CUP’s work exemplifies this mission, rooted in Cork, but resonating far beyond.

Looking ahead, CUP is poised to continue its mission with renewed focus. The centenary is not just a celebration of the past - it is a springboard for the future. From archaeology to Irish poetry, music to economics, literature to sport and the environment, our list reflects the diversity of Irish life and thought.

As Head of Publishing, I am proud to be part of this legacy. The symposium on September 11 will be a moment to honour the scholars, authors, editors, and readers who have shaped CUP’s journey. It will also be a moment to reaffirm our commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in publishing.

Indeed, the relevance of university presses has never been greater. As we celebrate 100 years of Cork University Press, we look forward to the next century with confidence and purpose - continuing to deliver on our mission, enriching Irish intellectual life, and making scholarship accessible to all.

The event is open to the UCC community, CUP authors, and the wider public: Booking is through Eventbrite.