Pioneering female UCD academics celebrated in new book
6 March 2025
Presentation of her portrait by UCD President Michael Tierney to Professor Mary Macken on her retirement Credit: Tierney MacNeill Collection/UCD Archives
The achievements of three female UCD faculty members, each “outstanding in their chosen field”, have been highlighted in a new book published.
Professor Mary Macken, Professor Carmel Humphries and Dr Mary Horkan led the way for women in academia across various UCD departments between the 1900s and 1990s.
All three academics also served as Presidents of the Irish Federation of University Women (IrFUW), which has today launched a book titled “100 Years of Empowering Women”, edited by Fiona Ahern, to mark its centenary.
The book tells the stories of the women who have shaped the Federation over the last century, with anecdotes, interviews and photographs.
It was a pleasure to launch this morning at a packed event in (opens in a new window)@ucddublin this wonderful and very engaging volume on the centenary of the Irish Federation of University Women. Congratulations to Editor Fiona Ahern and all involved. (opens in a new window)pic.twitter.com/DMiCGK0teM
— Orla Feely (@OrlaFeely) (opens in a new window)March 6, 2025
Professor Mary Macken was the first professor of German in UCD, and established the German society to promote the language among students.
From the mid-1930s onwards, Professor Macken was committed to highlighting the rise of Naziism in Germany, writing a series of articles condemning Hitler in the Irish Independent in 1937.
In 1957, Professor Carmel Humphries became the first woman in Ireland to be appointed as head of a zoology department when she was promoted at UCD.
Professor Humphries supervised the move of her department to Belfield in the mid-1960s.
UCD President Michael Tierney presents Professor Carmel Humphries with a sculpture of her head in recognition of her service Credit: Tierney MacNeill Collection/UCD Archives
Dr Mary Horkan lectured in Social Policy in UCD between the 1970s and 1990s, and also served as Social Policy Erasmus Co-Ordinator in UCD.
As well as serving as President of the IrFUW, Dr Horkan was also appointed President of the University Women of Europe for six years in 1944. She went on to be selected as the Irish Laureate Woman of Europe in 1997.
“All three of these UCD women were outstanding in their chosen field, not afraid to step up, take responsibility and lead the way,” said Ahern.
“We salute these inspirational women who led the way for Irish women in academic life.”
Founded in 1924, The Irish Federation of University Women is an all-Ireland network of associations of third-level female university graduates.
Mary Horkan with President Mary McAleese on a visit with the Irish Federation of University Women to Áras an Uachtaráin Credit: Mary Horkan
The book includes a foreword from Professor Orla Feely, President of UCD, in which she highlights the importance of supporting women to realise their full potential in Irish universities.
“In 2014, when I was appointed UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, I was one of two women on the University Management team. Now, as President of the University since May 2023, I am one of eight women – a majority – on that team,” writes Professor Feely.
“There are many signs of progress, but there is no room for complacency. We are motivated by our commitment to fairness and to the excellence that comes from having a broader set of voices around the table.”
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
