Death of Dr Joe Rodgers
The death has been announced of Dr Joe Rodgers, Library Assistant at Dublin City University and PhD graduate from the School of History and Geography.
Dr Rodgers died unexpectedly on 5 June. He completed his dissertation, The life of a principal street: A commercial and social history of O’Connell Street: 1782 – 1930, in 2024 and graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in October last year. Dr Rodgers had completed an MA in History in the School of History and Geography in 2018.
His doctoral dissertation was deemed a ‘meticulously researched and compelling analysis’ that was ‘well-presented, well-argued and an original contribution’.
Recently, with Daithí Ó Corráin, his former supervisor, he published in the top-ranked Urban History on the restoration of the street after the Irish Civil War. He also contributed several fascinating articles to RTÉ Brainstorm.
Speaking about Dr Rodgers, John McDonough, University Librarian at DCU said:
The DCU Library family is devastated at Joe’s sudden and untimely passing. He joined the Library in a part time role whilst writing his PHD on the development of Sackville St. He later moved into a full time position based in the Cregan Library where he was a valued friend and colleague. Joe shared his expertise and knowledge, beyond his immediate role in the library. In 2024 he delivered a hugely popular presentation as part of Culture Night, he spoke at a library staff event on Artificial Intelligence in the movies and more recently worked on the History in Your Hands project with local secondary schools. Joe will be hugely missed by his colleagues in the library, especially those he worked closely with and who got to share in his love of music, football, history, family and community.
Paying tribute to Joe, Dr William Murphy, Head of the School of History and Geography, ‘one of the people who has made our School a community':
He was very proud, and we were very proud of him, when he was awarded his PhD. A fine historian, generous scholar, wonderful family man, accomplished musician, and unfailingly helpful librarian, Joe made many friends across the university. He was particularly supportive of his fellow research postgraduates who will miss his advice and encouragement.
Details of Dr Rodgers funeral arrangements are available here.