Aoife Whelan

Aoife Whelan is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Modern Irish and Irish Studies at the University College Dublin's School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore. She holds a BA, MA, and PhD from UCD. Her roles include Vice-Principal (International) in the College of Arts and Humanities (2018–2020) and Head of Subject for Irish Studies. Her research focuses on Irish language media, the Revival period, film studies, and Irish revolutionary history. She supervises doctoral research on post-revival Irish State media (1922–1962) and has secured grants like 'Reporting Revolution: Media Politics and the State.'

Whelan's teaching spans modules like 'Irish-America: Culture & Society,' 'Modern Ireland: Culture & Society,' and 'Irish Studies Research Skills.' She coordinates courses on Irish language media, film, and cultural identity. Her work bridges historical media analysis with contemporary cultural studies, emphasizing transnational and diasporic perspectives.

Her publications include edited volumes like Reporting the Revolution (2023) and Freedom of Speech in the Press in Times of Conflict (2021), alongside chapters on Breandán Ó hEithir’s journalism and regional press dynamics. Her research highlights intersections between media, language revival, and national identity formation in Ireland's 20th-century history.

Whelan is fluent in Irish and English, with French comprehension. Her work often explores how media shaped cultural and political narratives during pivotal historical moments, particularly through the lens of Irish language revitalization efforts.