Research Profile

Finola Doyle-O'Neill

Biography

I am both a Broadcast and Legal Historian, with a Doctoral Degree in Ireland's broadcast history, the first doctoral degree in this area at UCC. I also hold a Degree in Civil Law and a Diploma in International Arbitration from the Sutherland School of law at UCD. My forthcoming book, published by Clarus Press, is Unheralded Jurists: A History of the Female Judiciary in Ireland . This will be the first Irish book to address the dearth of  historical and legal research on female judges, the historical milieu in which they were appointed, and their contribution to Irish Jurisprudence. 
My previous book, The Gaybo Revolution: How Gay Byrne Challenged Irish Society (2016) https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/it-started-on-the-late-late-the-gaybo-revolution/34237680.html  continues to be a top-selling monograph and is also  a core text for the Later Modern Leaving Certificate History Curriculum https://ibhof.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-gaybo-revolution.html.
I firmly believe that my area of expertise should be accessible and amenable to  everyone and thus I prefer to write for a more generalist readership . This mindset began when I was teaching for many years at second level and introduced Media Skills to the senior cycle curriculum, leading to the publication of my first text book, Media Skills for Teenagers (Folens, 2002) . Moreover, before my move to UCC, I immersed myself in the world of media and also honed my journalistic skills as a weekly Education Columnist with the Cork Examiner, and as a Features Writer with the much loved provincial broadsheet, The Southern Star. At UCC, I was now ready to devise my own second-year Module,  A History of the Media in Ireland  and throughout the past few years I have contributed  extensively  and very regularly to media outlets such as the Irish Examiner; to RTÉ Brainstorm and to RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM, Red FM,  Newstalk and BBC Newsline TV, Virgin Media TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAgEdJuodAY BBC Radio NI and BBC Radio Ulster. I am regularly interviewed on matters pertaining to Irish media  influences https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41258764.html ,and more recently my views have been sought from BBC news,  .https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66710576, The Guardian and The Belfast Telegraph on Irish media policy. Moreover, I am often interviewed by the UK media,https://www.facebook.com/history.ucc/photos/a.409779585743788/2116780368377026/?type=3  and also on Irish broadcasting personalities. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/how-terry-wogan-bridged-the-divide-and-blazed-a-trail-for-other-irish-stars-to-follow/34427589.html

I have also advised the Government on public policy regarding the Media in Ireland, as part of the remit of the Future of Media Commission, of which I am an appointed member. 

I  am also actively involved in the concept of Performative History STAGE IT PRODUCTIONS - Home  and have written and directed two well-received plays: one on the suffrage movement , Walking with Ireland into the Sun (2016)   and one on the  former Lord Mayor of Cork, Tomás MacCurtain, Wilful Murder (2019) which is based on the https://www.echolive.ie/corklives/arid-40127837.html inquest into his untimely death. My interest in drama  and the importance of reaching out to staff and to the wider community  as part of UCC's strategic plan, inspired me to set up the UCC Players, the Staff drama group, of which I am now Honorary President .

I haver also been fortunate to be part of two UCC delegations to Shanghai, China, to share my knowledge of performative history and  the role of women in Ireland's revolutionary struggle.  https://www.facebook.com/history.ucc/photos/a.409779585743788/1009509169104157/?type=3

I have a passion for both broadcast and legal history, the former leading me to a collaboration in 2012 with RTÉ to host a conference at UCC, celebrating 50 years of TV in the Republic of Ireland. https://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews/149042/ucc_explores_50_years_of_irish_television  https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/academic/schoolofhistory/TV50-RTE-UCC-Conference.jpg 

I am also actively involved in many committees across college, including  being an elected member of the UCC Governing Body: A former elected member of the Digital Education Advisory Group and of the CACSS College Management Committee, as well as being an active member of numerous School of History Committees.  

Research Interests

    My research focus is on the intersection between both broadcast and legal history.  My most recent article for RTÉ Brainstorm looks for example at televising the Judiciary as they deliver their judgments.    https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0808/1398683-ireland-legal-court-tv-coverage-cuirt-tv/. Moreover, following on from the success of my book, The Gaybo Revolution: How Gay Byrne Challenged Irish Society,  I often get asked to speak at conferences and on many media outlets on the impact of Gay Byrne on Ireland's broadcast and cultural history. I also enjoy  researching, scripting and  'Staging History' for   schools and  communities throughout Ireland who are more engaged with their national history when performed live https://www.corkindependent.com/2023/08/30/bringing-irish-history-to-life/ .  I was honored to be invited by President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins to Aras an Uachtarain in 2017 to celebrate Irish female suffragism, and was very gratified that my radio series,  The Road to the Vote, is now on the Oireachtas website.    https://www.echolive.ie/wow/arid-40174608.html                                                                                        

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
The Road to the Vote.Irish Research Council30-JAN-1731-DEC-17€10,575.00
Centenary Commemoration FundArts Council€1,500.00
National and International Images of Irish IndependenceIrish Research Council€15,000.00
A Historioraphy of women on radio in IrelandArt & Humanities Research Council04-SEP-1519-MAR-15€500.00
From Marconi to Munster Radio-UCC Strategic Research Fund01-SEP-1431-JUL-15€2,750.00
TV50Art & Humanities Research Council08-SEP-1209-SEP-12€500.00
Film as Historical sourceERASMUS01-JUL-1406-JUL-14€1,100.00
CACSS Transitional Project supportUCC Strategic Research Fund21-MAR-1326-APR-13€500.00
Women on AirNational University of Ireland (NUI)28-JUN-1418-OCT-14€500.00
Women Today ProgrammeNational University of Ireland (NUI)28-JUN-1428-JUN-14€500.00
Publication Support FundUCC Strategic Research Fund19-JUN-1328-DEC-13€1,500.00
TV50- 50 Years of TV in IrelandRTÉ Radio One07-SEP-1208-SEP-12€6,000.00

Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2025)Unheralded Jurists: A History of the Female Judiciary in Ireland.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2025) Unheralded Jurists: A History of the Female Judiciary in Ireland. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
(2016)The Gaybo Revolution: How Gay Byrne Challenged Irish Society.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) The Gaybo Revolution: How Gay Byrne Challenged Irish Society. Dublin: Orpen Press. [Details]
(2004)Media Skills for teenagers.
FInola Doyle-O'Neill; (2004) Media Skills for teenagers. Dublin: Folens. [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2022)'Women on Air'
Edited Mark O'Brien (2022) 'Women on Air' In: Media Connections Between Britain and Ireland. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2013)'The radio talk show and popular culture in Ireland'
O Fhuarthatigh and Doyle (editors) (2013) 'The radio talk show and popular culture in Ireland' In: Ordinary Irish Life. Dublin: Irish Academic Press. [Full Text] [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2023)Media Connections Between Britain and Ireland
Edited Mark O'Brien (2023) Tuned Out: a Study of Radio 1 programming Media Connections Between Britain and Ireland [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2018)'Tuned Out: BBC 4 Woman's Hour v RTÉ Woman'
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2018) 'Tuned Out: BBC 4 Woman's Hour v RTÉ Woman'. Media History, [Details]
(2015)'Women , Liberalism and Journalism'
peer reviwer (2015) 'Women , Liberalism and Journalism'. Irish Studies Review, [Details]

Newspaper Articles

 YearPublication
(2023)New 'Late Late Show' must follow the three R's for success irishexaminer.com.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) New 'Late Late Show' must follow the three R's for success irishexaminer.com. Cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2023)The Irish Examiner: The Kevin Bakhurst Factor and Restoring the Big House that is RTÉ https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41270812.html.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) The Irish Examiner: The Kevin Bakhurst Factor and Restoring the Big House that is RTÉ https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41270812.html. Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2019)Gay Byrne: The great window opener https://www.corkindependent.com/2019/11/07/gay-byrne-the-great-window-opener/.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2019) Gay Byrne: The great window opener https://www.corkindependent.com/2019/11/07/gay-byrne-the-great-window-opener/. Cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2023)The Public Deserves Answers and RTÉ needs to Salvage its fine china https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=bac209b367fd77bcJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTIxMw&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=finola+doyle+o+neill+irish+examiner&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaXJpc2hleGFtaW5lci5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9jb21tZW50YW5hbHlMvYXJpZC00MTE3MTQ4NS5odG1s&ntb=1.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) The Public Deserves Answers and RTÉ needs to Salvage its fine china https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=bac209b367fd77bcJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTIxMw&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=finola+doyle+o+neill+irish+examiner&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaXJpc2hleGFtaW5lci5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9jb21tZW50YW5hbHlMvYXJpZC00MTE3MTQ4NS5odG1s&ntb=1. Cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2022)Obiturary:Former RTÉ Director General Joe Barry changed the Face of Irish Broadcasting.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2022) Obiturary:Former RTÉ Director General Joe Barry changed the Face of Irish Broadcasting. Cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2018)voting for change: the Irish suffrage movement.
finola Doyle O'Neill (2018) voting for change: the Irish suffrage movement. Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2016)The legacy of De Valera.
finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) The legacy of De Valera. cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2016)60 years of the Cork Film Festival https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=14a4de7c21912b8dJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTM3Ng&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=Irish+examiner+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaXJpc2hleGFtaW5lci5jb20vbGlmZXN0eWxlL2FyaWQtMjAzNjIyNzUuaHRtbA&ntb=1.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) 60 years of the Cork Film Festival https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=14a4de7c21912b8dJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTM3Ng&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=Irish+examiner+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaXJpc2hleGFtaW5lci5jb20vbGlmZXN0eWxlL2FyaWQtMjAzNjIyNzUuaHRtbA&ntb=1. Cork: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2014)Gay Byrne at 80.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2014) Gay Byrne at 80. Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2011)Holding on to our History.
Finola Doyle O' Neill (2011) Holding on to our History. Irish Examiner: Newspaper Articles [Details]

Blog

 YearPublication
(2024)Desperately seeking an Ireland-based femahttps://womensfilmandtelevisionhistory.wordpress.com/2024/01/05/desperately-seeking-an-ireland-based-female-tv-detective-created-by-an-irish-woman/le TV detective created by an (Irish) woman! – Women's Film and Television History Network – UK/Ireland.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2024) Desperately seeking an Ireland-based femahttps://womensfilmandtelevisionhistory.wordpress.com/2024/01/05/desperately-seeking-an-ireland-based-female-tv-detective-created-by-an-irish-woman/le TV detective created by an (Irish) woman! – Women's Film and Television History Network – UK/Ireland. Blog [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2021)The Future of the Media in Ireland.
Finola Doyle O'Neill and Future of Media Commission (2021) The Future of the Media in Ireland. www.future of mediacommission.ie, Dublin. [Details]
(2016)Denis O'Brien Media Mogul?.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) Denis O'Brien Media Mogul?. UCC, Cork. [Details]

Electronic Journals

 YearPublication
(2023)https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1f8db8fc4b6412a9JmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTI0MA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wODA4LzEzOTg2ODMtaCúirt TV: Is it time for Irish Court cases to be televised?idC10di1jb3ZlcmFnZS1jdWlydC10di8&ntb=1.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1f8db8fc4b6412a9JmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTI0MA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wODA4LzEzOTg2ODMtaCúirt TV: Is it time for Irish Court cases to be televised?idC10di1jb3ZlcmFnZS1jdWlydC10di8&ntb=1. Dublin: Electronic Journals [Details]
(2023)To Whom it Concerns: A Short History of the Late Late Show https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aa1c7d3fc6b13bebJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTE0OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wNTExLzEzODI4NDctbGF0ZS1sYXRlLXNob3ctaGlzdG9yeS0xOTYyLWdheS1ieXJuZS0xOTk5LXBhdC1rZW5ueS0yMDA5LXJ5YW4tdHVicmlkeS8&ntb=1.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) To Whom it Concerns: A Short History of the Late Late Show https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aa1c7d3fc6b13bebJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTE0OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wNTExLzEzODI4NDctbGF0ZS1sYXRlLXNob3ctaGlzdG9yeS0xOTYyLWdheS1ieXJuZS0xOTk5LXBhdC1rZW5ueS0yMDA5LXJ5YW4tdHVicmlkeS8&ntb=1. Dublin: Electronic Journals [Details]

Electronic Article

 YearPublication
(2024)Why did it take so long for Ireland to appoint a female judge? https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2024/0307/1436444-ireland-female-judges-eileen-kennedy-1964/.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2024) Why did it take so long for Ireland to appoint a female judge? https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2024/0307/1436444-ireland-female-judges-eileen-kennedy-1964/. RTÉ: Electronic Article [Details]
(2023)There's never been a better time for female actors on Irish TV https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d2287590708b304aJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTE4NQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wNTE2LzEzODM2MzMtaXJpc2gtdHYtc2hvd3Mtd29tZW4tY2hhcmFjdGVycy1raW4tc21vdGhlci1zaXN0ZXJzLXRoZS1kcnkv&ntb=1.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2023) There's never been a better time for female actors on Irish TV https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d2287590708b304aJmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zZjQ5MDIzYS02MTdlLTY1ZTctMWU3ZC0wZDJmNjA5NDY0YjMmaW5zaWQ9NTE4NQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3f49023a-617e-65e7-1e7d-0d2f609464b3&psq=rte+brainstorm+finola+doyle+o+neill&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucnRlLmllL2JyYWluc3Rvcm0vMjAyMy8wNTE2LzEzODM2MzMtaXJpc2gtdHYtc2hvd3Mtd29tZW4tY2hhcmFjdGVycy1raW4tc21vdGhlci1zaXN0ZXJzLXRoZS1kcnkv&ntb=1. Cork: Electronic Article [Details]
(2016)e/2016/op-ed-controlling-the-message-.html.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) e/2016/op-ed-controlling-the-message-.html. Electronic Article [Details]
(2020)The tragic death of a Jeremy KyleShow guest highlights the dangers of confessional TV https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-the-tragic-death-of-a-guest-of-jeremy-kyle-highlights-the-dangers-of-confessional-tv-4634510-May2019/.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2020) The tragic death of a Jeremy KyleShow guest highlights the dangers of confessional TV https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-the-tragic-death-of-a-guest-of-jeremy-kyle-highlights-the-dangers-of-confessional-tv-4634510-May2019/. Dublin: Electronic Article [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2007)Review of Michael de Nie, The Irish Paddy in Irish History Review.
Finola Doyle-O'Neill; (2007) Review of Michael de Nie, The Irish Paddy in Irish History Review. Book Reviews [Details]

Performances

 YearPublication
(2024)The Voices of Women in Ireland's History.
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2024) The Voices of Women in Ireland's History. Performances [Details]
(2016)Walking With Ireland into the Sun.
PLAYWRIGHT: Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) Walking With Ireland into the Sun. Performances [Details]

Radio Documentary

 YearPublication
(2016)The Road to the Vote ; six part radio series.
finola Doyle O'neill (2016) The Road to the Vote ; six part radio series. Radio Documentary [Details]

Video recording / TV

 YearPublication
(2018)Scéalta Grá na hÉireann.
TG4 (2018) Scéalta Grá na hÉireann. Video recording / TV [Details]

Biographical-Item

 YearPublication
(2023)Searching for Finola Doyle O'Neill https;//www.rte.ie/search/query/Finola%20Doyle%20O'Neill/.
RTÉ (2023) Searching for Finola Doyle O'Neill https;//www.rte.ie/search/query/Finola%20Doyle%20O'Neill/. Biographical-Item [Details]

Historical Article

 YearPublication
(2017)Defining the Legacy of The Long Fellow.
finola Doyle O'neill (2017) Defining the Legacy of The Long Fellow. Cork: Historical Article [Details]

Artistic Research Projects (Production)

 YearPublication
(2023)A Land that we Dreamed of: Staging History performances.
Finola Doyle ONeill (2023) A Land that we Dreamed of: Staging History performances. Artistic Research Projects (Production) [Details]
(2019)Wilful Murder: The Death of Tomás Macurtain.
finola Doyle O'neill (2019) Wilful Murder: The Death of Tomás Macurtain. Artistic Research Projects (Production) [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2018RTÉ Sunday Miscellany finalist in Mother's Day celebration episode Sunday Miscellany
2017University Impact Award 2017 UCC Staff recognition Awards programme
2017Best radio dramatiszation of an historical event CRAOL (Comminuty Radio association)
2017New Foundations- Six Part Radio Documentary on 100 years of female suffrage Irish Research Council
2014CACSS Aurora nominee UK Leadership Foundation
2016Irish research Council Award New Horizons 2016

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2026)100 years of Radio in Ireland,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2026) Radio in Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 100 years of Radio in Ireland, UCC . [Details]
(2012)Gender and Irish Society in the 19th and 20th century,
finola Doyle O'neill (2012) The representation of women on Irish Television in the 1960s. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Gender and Irish Society in the 19th and 20th century, The Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies, NUI, Galway . [Details]
(2015)Women's History Network: Women, Health and activism,
finola Doyle O'neill (2015) The Role of the RTÉ 1 Radio programme Women Today. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Women's History Network: Women, Health and activism, Cambridge University . [Details]
(2019)From Alfred Nobel to Bill gates: The Power of Active Citizenship,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2019) Speech to UCC Quercus Scholars 2019. [Keynote Speaker], From Alfred Nobel to Bill gates: The Power of Active Citizenship, UCC . [Details]
(2018)Summer School in Irish Studies,
finola Doyle O'neill (2018) Women in Revolutionary Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Summer School in Irish Studies, UCC . [Details]
(2018)Women's Suffrage and the Women who Built Ireland,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2018) Women's suffrage in Ireland. [Keynote Speaker], Women's Suffrage and the Women who Built Ireland, Mitchelstown Heritage Centre . [Details]
(2012)Confession Box to Soap Box: Talk radio and social change,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2012) Talk radio in Ireland. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Confession Box to Soap Box: Talk radio and social change, School of History UCC . [Details]
(2011)Delusions of Power: Archbishop Charles McQuaid and RTÉ,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2011) Religion and RTÉ. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Delusions of Power: Archbishop Charles McQuaid and RTÉ, School of History UCC . [Details]
(2023)From Housewives to Heads of State: The Changing Role of Women in Ireland,
finola Doyle O'neill (2023) Changing role of women in Ireland 1920-1990. [Keynote Speaker], From Housewives to Heads of State: The Changing Role of Women in Ireland, Tipperary Museum of Hidden History . [Details]
(2013)War in the Visual Arts,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2013) War and the visual media. [Chair Sessions at Symposia], War in the Visual Arts, UCC . [Details]
(2022)Irish Civil War Conference UCC,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2022) https://www.ucc.ie/en/theirishrevolution/irish-civil-war-national-conference-june-2022/. [Chair Sessions at Symposia], Irish Civil War Conference UCC, UCC . [Details]
(2012)50 Years of TV in Ireland,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2012) TV in Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 50 Years of TV in Ireland, UCC . [Details]
(2015)Women in Journalism https://universitytimes.ie/2015/04/women-in-journalism/,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2015) under-representation of women in sports coverage. [Keynote Speaker], Women in Journalism https://universitytimes.ie/2015/04/women-in-journalism/, UCC . [Details]
(2021)Terence McSwiney Commemorative event,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2021) The Legacy of Terence McSwiney. [Keynote Speaker], Terence McSwiney Commemorative event, Kilmurray Museum , 11-OCT-21 - 12-OCT-21. [Details]
(2018)Hanna and her Sisters: The Irish Suffrage Movement in Munster,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2018) The Munster Suffrage Movement. [Keynote Speaker], Hanna and her Sisters: The Irish Suffrage Movement in Munster, The Parish Centre, Clonakilty . [Details]
(2015)Aurora conference,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2015) Aurora benefits. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Aurora conference, UCD . [Details]
(2019)Trinity Arts and Humanities Research series https://www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/whats-on/details/event.php?eventid=141664360,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2019) seminar. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Trinity Arts and Humanities Research series https://www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/whats-on/details/event.php?eventid=141664360, Trinity College . [Details]
(2021)100 Years of Change https;/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th3LFw64uMc,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2021) Legal changes for Irish women. [Invited Oral Presentation], 100 Years of Change https;/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th3LFw64uMc, GlucksmanUCC . [Details]
(2017)Feminist Insights of Europe,
finola Doyle ONeill (2017) Images of europe Building. [Oral Presentation], Feminist Insights of Europe, UCC . [Details]
(2017)‘Women, Place and Space’,
Gender Studies (Catherine Lawless, Trinity College Dublin), History (Malgorzata Krasnodebska-D'Aughton, Finola Doyle-O’Neill), Art History (Panayota Volti, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense; Mary Healy), Study of Religions (Lidia Guzy), Theatre Studies (Marie Kelly), Classics (Catherine Ware) and Applied Social Studies (Caitríona Ní Laoire) (2017) CACSSS masterclass that explored the presence of women in physical and ideological spaces across a chronological and geographical span. [Oral Presentation], ‘Women, Place and Space’, University College Cork . [Details]
(2017)The Media and Politics,
Finola Doyle O'Neill (2017) Journalism Conference. [Keynote Speaker], The Media and Politics, UCC , 09-FEB-17 - 09-FEB-17. [Details]
(2016)Shared Histories,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2016) The media links between the UK and Ireland. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Shared Histories, National Library of Ireland , 06-JUL-16 - 07-JUL-16. [Details]
(2015)Applied History Symposium,
David Ryan (History, UCC), Eamonn McEneaney, Director, Waterford Treasures), Virginia Teehan (Cultural Programmes and Research Support, UCC), Danielle O’Donovan (Bridge 21, Trinity College Dublin), Finola Doyle-O'Neill (History, UCC), Edel Bhreathnach (CEO, Discovery Programme), Niamh NicGhabhann (MA in Festive Arts Programme, University of Limerick), Brian Donovan (Director, Eneclann), Mary McCarthy (Careers Advisor, UCC), Katherine McGarry (History, UCC) (2015) contributor. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Applied History Symposium, University College Cork . [Details]
(2014)Does Journalism need feminism?,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2014) UCC Journalism Society Conference. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Does Journalism need feminism?, UCC , 15-FEB-14 - 16-FEB-14. [Details]
(2012)Gender and irish Society in the 19th and 20th century,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2012) The Role and Representation of Women on Irish Television in the 1960s. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Gender and irish Society in the 19th and 20th century, Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences NUI Galway , 23-MAR-12 - 24-MAR-12. [Details]
(2011)New Directives,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2011) The Irish radio talk show as public confessional. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], New Directives, UCD , 04-NOV-11 - 05-NOV-11. [Details]
(2010)Cumann Staire lecture series,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2010) The Irish TV Talk show. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Cumann Staire lecture series, NUI Galway , 18-NOV-10 - 19-NOV-10. [Details]
(2010)Into the Heartland of the Ordinary- second Galway Conference on Irish Studies,
Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill (2010) Challenging Irish Society- The Late Late Show as a conduit of change in Irish Society. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Into the Heartland of the Ordinary- second Galway Conference on Irish Studies, NUI Galway , 10-JUN-10 - 13-JUN-10. [Details]

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Irish Newspaper Periodicals member/
Media Research Forum Ireland member/
Euroradio – Radio Waves: Network Building and the Making of Modern Europe member/
Irish Federation Of University Teachers (IFUT) Executive Committee Member/
Women’s Film and Television History Network U.K. and Ireland (WFTHN). Member/
Irish Legal History Association Member/
The Future of Media Commission Government appointed Government appointed member/
UCC Governing Body Elected Member Elected Member/
National Union of Journalists Committee member/
Irish Women's History Association member/

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
HISTORY Dept. UCC COLLEGE LECTURER/
Education Columnist Irish Examiner/Tennis Columnist Evening Echo Columnist/
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SECONDARY TEACHER/

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
Penalty Exemption Committee (PEC) Vice- Chair/
Mná at UCC Member/
Health and Safety Committee Representative of Silverdale, School of History/
The Future of Media Commission Government appointed Member appointed by Government/
Chair External Liaison Committee Chair/
IFUT- elected committee member executive committte member/
IS&ER (Information/Electronic Resources) Elected member Committee member2017 / 2017
College Executive Management Committee (CEMC) Appointed Representtive2016 / 2018
Academic Council Committee on Information Strategy and Educational Resources. Member2014 / 2017
Research Committee School of History Committee member/
Newspaper and Periodical member member/
National Union of Journalists former Secretary of Cork Branch former secretary/
Chairperson Undergraduate Awards chairperson2014 / 2014

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
1988UCC BAHistory
2018UCC Understanding Unconscious BiasUnconscious Bias led by UCC HR
2018UCC Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL)Law
2018UCD Diploma in International Arbitration Sutherland School of law UCDInternational Arbitration
1989UCC Diploma in EducationTeaching
1990UCC Masters in Drama and Theatre StudiesHistory
1997UCC PHD in Ireland's Broadcast HistoryHistory

Consultancy

 ClientDescription
Film consultant on American CBS series The Emeralds of Hollywood 2006
2007 Film Consultant on RTE Series Secret History
Irish Independent - Saturday magazine
Article on 'The Goglebox'- Ireland's TV viewing habits
Sunday Times Newspaper
Article on new regulations on children's TV viewing hours for Ireland

Languages

 LanguageReadingWritingSpeaking
Gaeilge FunctionalFunctionalFunctional
Italian FunctionalBasicFunctional
German FluentFluentFluent
French FluentFluentFluent

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Irish Studies Review Referee-
Journalism &Amp; Mass Communication Quarterly Peer Reviewer-
Alphaville: Journal Of Film And Screen Media Peer Reviewer-
Journal Of Media And Communication Studies Referee01-SEP-17 -

Outreach Activities

 Description

CACSS Community Engagement Committee Elected Member

Newstalk interview regarding RTÉ Finances https://www.podplay.com/podcasts/the-hard-shoulder-highlights-10631/episodes/this-organisation-is-bust-it-needs-to-live-in-the-real-world-what-is-the-future-for-rte-216051849 14/11/2023

Newstalk: The Hard Shoulder

Performing in schools, key events from the Leaving Certificate History curriculum.

Throughout 2018 I was invited guest on the issue of 100 years of female suffrage and spoke to 9 historical and heritage societies including: Bandon walled festival; Clonakilty historical society; Charleville historical society; the Glucksman lecture series UCC.

I scripted, produced and presented the radio series The Road to the vote which is now used as part of the history curriculum in many Munster secondary schools

Chair of School of History External Liaison Committee

Regular contributor to radio on issues regarding Ireland's broadcasting history and programme policy

Walking with Ireland into the Sun- an original play by Finola Doyle O' Neill

In April 2016 I wrote and directed a play on seven women insurgents of 1916. The play, which was based on primary archival material, was called Walking with Ireland into the Sun ( a line from Helena Molony's military testimony). The play was performed at the former women's gaol at Sundays well in Cork by The UCC Players, the staff drama group which I founded in 2014. The play was invited back to the gaol for Culture Night 2016 and the playwright and cast have also had requests to re-stage it nationwide. 


occasional columns regarding Irish media and film history

Commentator and contributor to a series of RTÉ TV programmes on the 1916 commemorative events.

Workshop on female suffrage delivered to 200 second level students in April 2017r

Media Engagements /Outreach activities 2017:


February 9 2017:Invited Chair of the UCC Journalism Society Conference  Politics and the Media-

February 18 2017:  Invited speaker at UCC conference Feminist Insights of Europe Building

March 30 2017: Launch by UCC President Professor O'Shea of my IRC funded project, The Road to the vote- The Fight for female Suffrage, with an invited audience of 60 senior cycle History students and their teachers- all schools will receive a USB with a series of radio programmes on the key Irish Suffragists of 1917-1918, plus an Education pack for their school.


Founding member and Chairperson of The UCC Players, the only university staff drama group in Ireland.

Its remit is to encourage staff and alumni to engage with drama and also to encourage local writers/dramatists  to perform their works.


2016 media engagements:

Interviewed on the Marian Finucane Show RTÉ Radio 1- August 28th 2016 on Thrash TV. 

Interview with Matt Cooper on 'The last word' on Today FM on my Book the Gaybo Revolution - January 7 2016

Interview on Sarah Curran for RTÉ TV pilot programme, February 1 2016.

Article on the Irish Examiner - The reluctant revolutionary - January 10 2016

Interview on RTÉ 1 Television on 1916 and the 1966 Commemorations, Nationwide RTÉ 1, March 25 2016.




2015- Media engagement/Outreach activities

January 7,2015- Spoke as UCC Aurora representative at UCD conference on Women in Academia.

February 7, 2015- Guest speaker at NUI Galway Cumann Staire ,  on Radio and Social Change in Ireland

February 20, 2015- Interview on RTÉ Radio 1, Media  Programme on Journalism and cliché .  

March 9, 2015- Interviewed by Sunday Independent and Radio Kerry regarding World Radio Day. 

February 24, 2015- Chaired the panel on Media Bias, at UCC Student Journalism Conference.


In March 2016, I was invited as a guest historian on the RTÉ Nationwide series on 1916. I assessed RTÉ's 1966 coverage of the 50 year anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

RADIO CONTRIBUTIONS 2012-214

Contributor to -

Newstalk -

RTÉ Radio 1

-Radio Kerry -

BBC Radio Ulster -

Life FM -

96FM -

LMfm


RADIO CONTRIBUTIONS

2014-

-Commentator on World radio Day on Near FM Radio, Dublin- Jan 11,2014 -

 Commentator on Media Ethics on LFM Radio, Dundalk, Feb 27, 2014

Other Activities

 Description

https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22288193-rte/


https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/21709552/




https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/21709552/#:~:text=Finola%20Doyle%2DO%27Neill%2C%20Broadcast%20...

With my Theatre troupe, Stage It Productions, I script and narrator and act in historical reenactments for second level students. 

In my role as a Broadcast and Legal Historian I am the first point of contact for media outlets seeking an analysis of the media landscape in Ireland. In 2023 alone I contributed to the following outlets on the following topics:

RTÉ Drivetime on March 20th  and 23rd 2023 on Ryan Tubridy and the new Late Late Show Host: 
BBC Newline TV NI: The impact of Patrick Kielty as the new Host of the Late late Show

RTÉ Morning Ireland:
May 4th 2023 to discuss the the future of RTÉ
Newstalk: The Hard Shoulder: July 8th and 27th to discuss the TV licence and Streaming Services .

School of History Staff Research seminar presentations:

Delusions of Power: Archbishop Charles McQuaid and RTÉ
, 5/12/2011

From the Confession Box to the Radio Soap Box: Talk radio and social change in Ireland, 12/11/2012.  

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests



  • My lectures focus on the following areas: The history of Ireland's broadcast and print media, cinematic representations of Ireland and the Irish, cultural identity and sport, women in the media, cultural identity and nationhood. I lecture on and co-ordinate the following modules:
-Hi2022- A History of the Media In Ireland
-Hi3033- Irish Film History-https://www.studyabroad101.com/programs/university-college-cork-cork-direct-enrollment-exchange/revi...
-Hi3044-Seminar- Communications, Culture and Identity in twentieth century Ireland
-Hi2044- Crime and the Media (part of BA in Criminology)
Hi2105: Case study: Hi2001: The impact of RTE 1962-1972
 - I lecture on the Diploma in Culture and Folklore under ACE (Adult and Continuing Education) 
I guest lecture on the Masters in Public History
 I have  Taught on Evening Certificate in Arts programme 
Some of my modules are inter-disciplinary, including A History of the Media in Ireland, which is offered to second year students in the BSc in Public Health Sciences, and to second year students in the Criminology BA.

I have supervised 190 8,000-word third-year  seminar dissertations and   51 Postgraduate students to date, with a flavor of some their dissertations outlined below:   

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2011Christopher O'Gorman NUI (UCC)The Contribution of The Irish Homestead to Irish Agriculture
2011Laura Hayes UCCThe History of the Role of the Media in Missing Person Cases in Ireland
2010Louise O'Connor NUI (UCC)The History of Contraception in Ireland 1970-1975
2010Eimear Knightly NUI (UCC)Fr Ted and subversion
2024M.Van Vliet NUI (UCC)Derry Girls and The Troubles
2020Leonardo Pavin The University of BolognaIl giornalismo d'incheststa e il caso Veronica Guerin
2011Vincent Lacey UCCThe Role of Women on Irish TV
2011Conail O'Reilly NUI (UCC)Press Coverage of the The Foot and Mouth Crisis in Ireland
2008Hollie Dowling NUI (UCC)Crime reporting in Ireland 1980-2008
2009Michelle Foley NUI (UCC)Radio: friend or foe of Irish culture?
2018Dylan McGath UCCCatholicism and Irish film
2010Dervla Eugenie O'Loughlin NUI (UCC)Secularization in three media outlets in Ireland
2021Megan McCarthy NUI (UCC)A History of the Criminal Assets Bureau
2019Sarah Birmingham NUI (UCC)Cork Local Radio
2020Katie Palumbo NUI (UCC)Doctoral StudiesMedia Representations of 1916

Research Information

Internal Collaborators

 NameInstituteCountry
Dr Armida De La Garzia-Senior Lecturer, Digital Humanities and Screen Media UCCIRELAND

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Dr Jo-Anne Veale CANADA
Dr Heidi Kurneven Helsinki UniversityFINLAND

Contact details

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School of History

Scoil na Staire

Tyrconnell,Off College Road,Cork,Ireland.

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