The Irish Centre for European Law (ICEL) will host its Annual Human Rights Law Conference this year in partnership with the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway (ICHR) on Thursday, 15 October 2026 (11am-5pm). The Conference will take place in the Michael D. Higgins Auditorium, University of Galway.

The Conference is themed “Ireland’s role in protecting EU values to strengthen the international legal order” and the keynote address will be delivered by Former President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins on the central theme.

The Conference will bring together leading members of the legal profession, academics, human rights practitioners and other leading experts. The Conference will examine and explore how Ireland contributes to the protection and promotion of fundamental rights, EU values and democratic values at a time of profound significant global uncertainty and the weakening of the international rules based order.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Following the keynote address, the thematic areas of the three panels will address:

(i) Upholding the Rule of Law and EU Values in today’s rapidly changing and evolving geopolitical context;

(ii) Human rights as a cornerstone in shaping Ireland’s EU Presidency and Beyond; and

(iii) Ireland’s Role in Shaping and Strengthening EU Values and Equality (with a focus on human rights including minority rights).

The following esteemed speakers and moderators will participate in the Conference:

• Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the ICHR, University of Galway.
• Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, Barrister, Matrix Chambers.
• Councillor Helen Ogbu, Galway Mayor.
• Noeline Blackwell, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist.
• Sarah Flood, First Secretary for Human Rights at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva.
• Professor Ciara Smyth, University of Galway
• Professor Laurent Pech, University College Dublin.
• Lorna Hayes, Deputy CEO, European Movement Ireland.
• Professor Roja Fazaeli, University of Galway.
• Ciarán Toland SC, Deputy President of ICEL.
• Senator Patricia Stephenson (Moderator). 
• Barry Ward TD, Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs.
• Owen Ward, EDI Programme Manager for Race Equality, University of Galway. 
• Fred Logue, Managing Partner, FP Logue LLP, Solicitors.
• Dr Andrew Forde, Dublin City University.
• Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director of the Global Legal Action Network (Moderator). 
• Niamh Ní Charra, Archivist, University of Galway.

Participants will also have the opportunity to network with fellow legal professionals, academics, and human rights practitioners through the day.

To purchase tickets or for general queries about this Conference, please contact icel@tcd.ie or visit our website www.icel.ie.

This conference is an EU Presidency Associated Event and is being part funded by the Communicating for Europe Initiative.