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University of Galway School of Law welcomed Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, on Thursday, the 5th of November 2026, for Professor Padraic Kenna’s valedictory lecture, a special address marking his retirement and reflecting on his academic career. A leading scholar in housing law and human rights, Professor Kenna served as Director of the Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy. Colleagues, students, family and friends gathered in the Michael D. Higgins Auditorium to celebrate his outstanding contribution to scholarship, housing rights and social justice in Ireland and internationally. 

Introducing Professor Kenna, President Connolly recognised his contribution to academia and public debate on housing, human rights and property law. She highlighted his development of Ireland’s first course on housing law and policy, alongside his extensive publications and collaborations with organisations nationally and internationally.

 The President also recalled first encountering Padraic in 1999, when he was Director of the Galway Simon Community and she was a newly elected Galway City Councillor: “From the outset, his vision, his passion, and his framing of our conversations within a human rights perspective was a breath of fresh air. Treating people with dignity and respect, regardless of their housing status, was at the heart of everything he did.”

Reflecting on the continuing housing crisis, President Connolly spoke about the enduring importance of his work and his willingness to challenge prevailing approaches to housing: “Padraic, however, has never accepted that homelessness and a housing crisis are inevitable. On the contrary, throughout his varied career, he has consistently demonstrated that reliance on the market for the provision of housing is an integral part of the problem.”

She also acknowledged the determination required to sustain that work: “Providing an alternative narrative, along with solutions, as Padraic has done throughout his career, has required no small amount of courage and perseverance.”

Chaired by Dr Charles O’Mahony, the evening opened with a welcome from Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Galway. Professor Kenna’s lecture explored housing rights in the contemporary world and was followed by questions from the audience and reflections on his career.

Professor Shivaun Quinlivan and Dr Ursula Connolly joined Professor Kenna on stage alongside Professor Sergio Nasarre-Aznar of Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain, and Professor Marc Roark of the University of Tulsa, United States. Contributions from Professor Roark, Professor Nasarre-Aznar and Dr Deirdre Halloran celebrated his influence as a scholar, collaborator and doctoral supervisor.

Dr Ursula Connolly shared tributes from colleagues, while Dean of University of Galway School of Law, Professor Martin Hogg offered the closing remarks, commenting that: “Padraic was an exceptional colleague and teacher, who not only made a discipline-defining contribution to the field of housing law and rights but also inspired Galway students for over a quarter of a century to go out into the world with the same passion for that field of law as Padraic brought to it.”

The evening recognised both the significance of Padraic’s scholarship and the kindness, humour and generosity he has shown to generations of students and colleagues. His wife, Dr Anne Dolan, and their daughters, Emily and Laura, joined the celebrations, which continued at a reception in the Staff Club.

President Connolly captured the spirit of the occasion in her tribute: “Padraic has shown us the power of education at its best, and we are indebted to him.”

University of Galway School of Law thanks Padraic for his many contributions and wishes him every happiness in the next chapter of his life and work.

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