Cathal Billings

Dr. Cathal Billings is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in the School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore at University College Dublin (UCD). He holds a PhD from UCD (2015) and has been affiliated with UCD since 2009. His research focuses on the Irish Language Revival, particularly its international dimensions, Irish sports history (especially the Gaelic Athletic Association), and the interplay between translation, nationalism, and cultural identity.

Billings' educational background includes a BA in Modern Irish & German (2006) and an MA in Irish Writing and Communication (2007), both from UCD. His PhD thesis explored the relationship between the Irish Language Revival and sport in Ireland (1884–1934). He has been a Director at the Lárionad de Bhaldraithe do Léann na Gaeilge since 2009 and has held various committee roles within UCD's College of Arts and Humanities.

His research output spans over 40 publications since 2013, emphasizing the Gaelic League's role during the Boer War, the GAA's language policies, and transnational aspects of Irish cultural revival. Key themes include racial attitudes of revivalists, the ban on foreign sports, and the historical context of cultural nationalism.

Teaching responsibilities include coordinating modules on Irish grammar, translation (legal and literary), and the history of the Irish Revival. He has been involved in Widening Participation initiatives and grant-funded research (e.g., OBRSS Research Support Scheme, 2016–2019).

Billings' work intersects with global histories of language revival and nationalism, offering critical insights into Ireland's cultural and political past.