THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

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Cunningham Medal

The Cunningham Medal is the Academy’s premier award and dates back to 1796. It is awarded every three years in recognition of “outstanding contributions to scholarship and the objectives of the Academy”.

Previous recipients include Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, John McCanny (microelectronics expert), Maurice Craig (architectural historian), Sir William Wilde (polymath and father of Oscar Wilde) and Robert Mallet (father of Seismology).

The 2023 Medal was presented to Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Honorary MRIA, at a ceremony on Tuesday, 28 February. Dame Burnell was recognised for her contribution to research, wide contribution to academia, public engagement and her international leadership in science.

The Cunningham Medal will be awarded again in 2026. The call for nominations of Members in the section of Humanities and Social Sciences will open in 2025.

History of our premier award.

History of the Cunningham »

Cunningham Medal awardees 1796-2020

Cunningham Medal awardees »

Cunningham news

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