Roscommon native makes history with Trinity Fellowship

History was made recently when Ballintubber man Dr John Bosco Conama became the first deaf person in Ireland to be elected to the Fellowship of Trinity College.

Dr Conama described his election as a “profound day” both professionally and personally and one that “marks the culmination of a long and unlikely journey.” The youngest of 11 children from a farming background in the townland of Clooneygrasson, at just four years of age he went to a school for the deaf in Dublin and it was here he learned Irish Sign Language, ISL. He left school early but after several years completed his Leaving Cert and at one stage worked with RTÉ.

Since then he has achieved a Ph.D., M. Litt, BA in Social Policy, and is currently serving as the Director of the Centre for Deaf Studies and an assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin.

As vice-chair of the Irish Deaf Society and co-chair of the group implementing the Irish Sign Language Act, he actively shapes policies to enhance the rights and inclusion of deaf individuals.

Dr Conama's commitment to equity is further demonstrated through his membership of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission's disability advisory committee.

His academic journey focuses on language rights and social justice for deaf communities and his efforts in promoting and preserving Irish Sign Language are widely acclaimed.

Beyond academia, Dr Conama's leadership as chair of the Irish Sign Language Recognition Campaign reflects his dedication to advancing deaf rights through activism and scholarship, advocating for equality, inclusion, and empowerment within the deaf community and society.

Commenting on his fellowship Dr Conama said: “Professionally, the Fellowship recognises a lifetime of advocacy, scholarship, and leadership. I am proud to have led the national campaign that successfully established the Centre for Deaf Studies at Trinity College Dublin - the first of its kind in Ireland - providing a vital academic home for ISL and Deaf Studies. I also led the national campaign for the legal recognition of Irish Sign Language, which was finally achieved in 2017, marking a transformative moment for the deaf community in Ireland.

“Alongside these major milestones, I have published widely in academic journals and books, given countless presentations nationally and internationally, and remained actively engaged with the deaf community throughout, not as an outsider looking in, but as an insider researcher deeply connected to the lived experiences and aspirations of deaf people.

“This Fellowship is not only a recognition of scholarship but also of sustained contribution to the life of the college and to broader society. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first deaf person in Ireland, and possibly the first across Ireland and the UK, to be elected to Fellowship. This makes the honour historic: a testament to how far we have come and a reminder of the work that still lies ahead.

“Accepting this Fellowship, I feel profound gratitude to Audrey (his partner), and to my family, mentors, colleagues, and the deaf community who have supported me at every step. I also feel a deep responsibility to continue opening doors, mentoring others, and ensuring that deaf voices are heard and valued at every level of society.

“Above all, I hope this achievement shows future generations of deaf students and scholars that not only is there a place for them in higher education, they belong, but they are also needed, and they can lead," he said.