About the Geographical Society of Ireland

The Geographical Society of Ireland strives to promote the status and study of geography in Ireland and enhance its international reputation. The GSI aims to raise awareness of the value and impact of Geography in Ireland through a variety of activities.
  • The GSI is the professional organisation and representative body of geographers in Ireland and a recognised, consultative stakeholder for national policymaking.
  • The publication of 'Irish Geography' the premier peer-reviewed journal devoted to the geography of Ireland which has an international distribution and is read on six continents. 
  • Each November the society supports and promotes and Irish GeoWeek to coincide with international events. A range of educational activities organised by society members, non members and universities are highlighted on our website and Geonews blog. 
  • The GSI is also proud to coordinate the annual Conference of Irish Geographers, in collaboration with individual Geography Departments/Schools, which demonstrates the high quality of geographical research being undertaken in universities and in other public and private institutions across Ireland.
  • In conjunction with the Conference of Irish Geographers the society operates an Awards programme that recognises the contribution of Irish Geographers to the study and development of Geography in Ireland and internationally.
  • Throughout the year the society also collaborates with other organisations to support a range of events across the country
  • The Geographical Society of Ireland actively lobbies government and other organisations on matters of strategic importance, including the status of the subject in the primary and secondary educational systems

The Geographical Society of Ireland actively welcomes new members from both professionals and members of the public. Information on membership is available here.

Current Committee: 2020-2021

GSI Awards

President: 
Dr. Kathy Reilly, NUI Galway

Vice-President:
Dr. Ruth McManus, Dublin City University

Secretary:
Dr. Karen Keaveney, University College Dublin

Treasurer:
Dr. Kieran Hickey, University College Cork

GSI Liaison Officer:
Dr Susan Pike, Dublin City University

Editor, Irish Geography:
Dr Ronan Foley , Maynooth University

PRO (Communications and Information Officer):
Dr Mary H. Kelly, Kingston University London

Business Manager, Irish Geography:
Prof. Mary Gilmartin, Maynooth University

PECN Representative: Sahsa Brown, Maynooth University

Committee Members (portfolio):
Prof. Mary Bourke, TCD
Dr. Niamh Moore-Cherry (UCD)
Dr Shane O'Sullivan (LIT)
​Dr Niall Majury (QUB)
Dr Breandán MacGabhann (MIC)

Annual General Meetings

Each year the society holds its AGM during the annual conference in May. 
The reports from the 2017 AGM can be found here.
The GSI have a number of awards, these run on an annual or bi-annual basis and the awards arepresented at the CIG conference dinner.
1. Lifetime Contribution to the Geographical Society of Ireland award 
Members of the GSI are invited to submit up to three names for this award; nominees should all be members of the society. Members should provide a short statement outlining the reason for the nomination(s).
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI or AGTI. Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. ​

2. GSI Geographer’s Contribution to Community Award
This prize will be awarded to a geographer working in Ireland who has made a significant contribution to wider society, community, environment and politics at the national or local scale. This award is open to all people working in Irish Geography and residing on the island of Ireland. Members of the Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland (AGTI) are welcome to submit a nomination, and are also eligible to be a nominee, for this award.
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI or AGTI. Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. 

3. Contribution to Geography in Ireland
This prize will be awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of geography on the island of Ireland. The award is open to all people who have been educated at an Irish institution, or are now working in an Irish institution, and/or someone whose research focuses on geographies of/in/related to Ireland.
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI.  Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. 

4. GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork/Travel Awards 
Geographical Society of Ireland postgraduate travel awards to a maximum value of €250 per person/awardee. These bursaries are intended to offer financial support to postgraduate members of the GSI who wish to present papers or participate in workshops at national or international conferences. Awards are also available to postgraduate researchers requiring assistance to undertake fieldwork.
Successful applicants will be expected to acknowledge the support of the GSI in their research and at the relevant conference. A brief overview of how the award was utilised should be submitted to Geonews after the event.