ATU and Maynooth University host festival commemorating the life and work of Micheál Mac Gréil SJ

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Maynooth University (MU) are hosting a series of events to celebrate the life of the late Micheál Mac Gréil SJ and his life’s work, as part of Social Justice Week. An tAthair Micheál Mac Gréil SJ, who died in January 2023, was a member of the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University from 1971 to 1996, renowned as a gifted teacher and an outstanding researcher.  A staunch Mayo man, he made an extraordinary contribution to the West of Ireland through his research and advocacy and community action. Three upcoming events celebrate his life’s work:

 On Thursday, 7 March, 10 to 12 noon, Maynooth University will host a discussion titled “Prejudice and Tolerance in Ireland” with Professor Jane Gray, Professor Emeritus Tony Fahey, Martin Collins, Pavee Point and Niamh McDonald, the Hope and Courage Collective.

 On Friday, 8 March, 10 to 12 noon, ATU, Mayo campus (Castlebar) will host an event titled “Remembering Michea̒l: Colleague, Academic and Social Activist”. Contributors include Professor Mary P Corcoran, Maynooth University, Dr Mark Garavan and Eoghan Murphy ATU, Professor Emeritus Paddy Duffy Maynooth University. Dr Deirdre Garvey, ATU Head of Dept of Environmental Humanities & Social Science, will chair the event which takes place in Room P002 (F23X853).

On Saturday 9 March, Westport, Co Mayo, an event called “Ag Ceiliúradh Michea̒l Mac Gréil” will take place in the Town Hall. A Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Westport at 10am followed by a gathering in the Town Hall at 11am with a presentation by Éamon Ó Cuív TD on working with Micheál Mac Gréil. This will be followed by participatory discussion, poetry and song. This event is facilitated by journalist Liamy Mac Nally with a word of welcome from Pádraig McGreal, brother of Micheál’s. 

Two of the events (7 and 8 March) although free do require registration. Please register on the following link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/news-events/fe-le-mac-gr-il 

 Dr Mark Garavan, lecturer, Dept of Environmental, Humanities and Social Science, ATU Mayo, says: “Over the course of his career as a sociologist and a Jesuit priest Rev Dr Micheál Mac Gréil, who died in January 2023, shone a bright light into the corners of Irish society where intolerance and lack of compassion for others prevailed. He called out inequalities and injustices wherever he encountered them.  His moral compass remained resolute throughout his long and productive life working assiduously to build a more solidaristic, empathic and fairer Ireland.  
Micheál was a leading member of the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University from 1971 to 1996, where he was known as a gifted teacher and an outstanding researcher.   A pioneering advocate of empirical social science research, his path breaking sociological inquiries into prejudice and tolerance in Irish society spanned several decades”. 

Eoghan Murphy, ATU Department of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, ATU Mayo, says:” Micheal was an inspiration, a leader, a true intellectual who lived his life in accordance with his Christian values.  He would have liked this series of events to be not a memorial to him but as a platform to discuss our current challenges regarding prejudice and would have had the courage to promote dialogue on the topic. As he always said, ‘A prejudice exposed, is a prejudice undermined’”. 

Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications 
Tel: +353 (0)91 742826 Mob: +353 (0)879618355
regina.daly@atu.ie  www.atu.ie/news