Welcome to the website of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) which provides information about the many and varied activities that the Academy is engaged in as part of its latest Strategic Plan. Our mission is to recognise and foster academic excellence, and to create, curate and share knowledge for the good of society.

Through its research programmes, grants, publications, library, historic collections and public events, the RIA maintains a long tradition of sharing knowledge and insight across the full range of disciplines in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Drawing on a diversity of fields and perspectives, the RIA supports Ireland’s intellectual and cultural life, while also working with international learned societies and organisations to raise the profile of Irish research throughout the island of Ireland.

In addition to its work on behalf of members, the RIA provides support and mentorship to help nurture the next generation of scholars and innovators by fostering the Young Academy Ireland.

As part of this mission we invite you to share your views on the functioning and activities of the Academy so we can continue to pursue our core values of independence, curiosity, rigour, integrity and openness; please email info@ria.ie(link sends e-mail)

Dr Siobhán O’Sullivan, Executive Director

Throughout our website you will find information about our work and activities:

  • our Library who preserve a unique collection of medieval Irish manuscripts, national treasures and substantial holdings of later and contemporary materials and make these accessible through digital initiatives where possible. Our oldest manuscript, The Cathach of Colum Cille(link is external)
  • our range of publications that include scholarly books, journals, maps, pamphlets and reports that reflect an appropriate blend of scholarly and topical subjects across the breadth of the sciences, humanities and social sciences
  • our major research programmes who play key roles in producing and disseminating new insights into our history and heritage to the world-wide scholarly community and the public through outreach programmes
  • our Academy’s multidisciplinary committees who build public engagement and understanding of their disciplines through their events and outputs
  • our policy and international relations work that is intended to contribute an independent voice to some of the major public policy challenges on a national and international basis.
  • our many events and seminar series that include the Academy’s Discourse series and other public activities
  • our support of talented early career scholars and researchers throughout Ireland with the Young Academy Ireland and a programme of grants
  • our reward of excellence in research through a programme of awards, and prizes