This new permanent post was established thanks to a £3.6 million gift from the Irish Government. The gift builds upon an enduring relationship between the University and the Irish government, ensuring that Irish history will have a lasting presence at one of the world’s leading History faculties and strengthening Anglo-Irish academic collaboration.

The Professorship is named in recognition of Robert Erskine Childers and Erskine Hamilton Childers, both Trinity College alumni who played influential roles in the history of modern Ireland. During a special event held in Trinity College’s historic Wren Library, the Taoiseach announced the appointment of Professor Alvin Jackson to the post.

Professor Jackson, a distinguished historian of modern Irish and British history, joins Cambridge from the University of Edinburgh. His scholarship spans major themes including national identity, democracy, rebellion, and the evolution of political relationships across these islands.

Reflecting on his appointment, Professor Jackson noted Cambridge’s long-standing strength in Irish historical research.

“Cambridge has had a long tradition of researching and teaching Irish history, and of addressing the complexities of the British-Irish relationship. I'm honoured both by the opportunity to contribute to this tradition and by the invitation to join the current, distinguished community of historians at Cambridge. The generosity of the Irish government in funding the Childers professorship guarantees that Irish history will be lastingly rooted in the University and indeed more widely, and it's a huge privilege to be inaugurating the work of the new chair.”

Speaking at a special event in the Wren Library at Trinity College, the Taoiseach praised the establishment of the Professorship as an important step in strengthening academic collaboration across Ireland and the United Kingdom, emphasising the need to “protect and strengthen bonds between our countries” and to support independent, rigorous historical scholarship by doing more “to honour figures who can challenge us to see the richness and complexity of our past.” The Taoiseach went on to say:

"This Professorship is a small but important demonstration of the commitment of the Irish government to addressing these challenges. It will deepen and enrich scholarship and build a greater understanding of the complex and interlinked political, economic and social histories of Ireland and Britain, and how these histories entwined to shape our two countries and the evolving relationship between us."

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, welcomed the Taoiseach to Cambridge and reflected on the University’s proud tradition of leadership in Irish historical studies. She highlighted the significance of the new endowed post in expanding world-leading research and enabling deeper engagement with the complex and interlinked histories of Ireland and Britain. Professor Prentice said: “We are delighted to welcome the Taoiseach to Cambridge. This visit provides an opportunity to demonstrate our strong commitment to academic collaboration between the United Kingdom and Ireland. We are proud to highlight the University’s extensive work on Irish history, which has long attracted distinguished scholars. We are equally delighted to welcome Professor Alvin Jackson as the inaugural Childers Professor of Irish History.”

The University has long attracted leading scholars of Irish history, and its Faculty of History is renowned for shaping historical scholarship through pioneering research and high-profile publications. With its international reputation for excellence in historical research and its ability to elevate specialist areas of study to global prominence, Cambridge is uniquely placed as the home for this Professorship.

Professor Lucy Delap, Chair of the Faculty of History, and Professor in Modern British and Gender History at the University of Cambridge, welcomed Professor Jackson to the Faculty.

Professor Delap said: “This significant gift to the History Faculty will place Irish history at the forefront of our work. The Childers Professor will offer historical perspectives on pressing issues today in British/Irish relations and Ireland’s wider global relationships. It’s an honour, and testament to the importance of this post, that the Taoiseach is here in person to celebrate the establishment of the Professorship.”

Professor Jackson is expected to begin in the post in October 2026.