John S. Horgan was Ireland’s first Press Ombudsman (2007-2014) and is a former Professor of Journalism at Dublin City University (1989 until his retirement in 2006). He began his career at the Evening Press in Dublin in 1962 and later wrote on religion and education for the Catholic Herald and the Irish Times. In addition to his work as a writer and editor and his tenure as a university professor, Horgan was elected to the Irish Senate (Seanad Éiraeann) in 1969 and subsequently served in the Assembly of Ireland (Dáil Éiraeann) and the European Parliament.
Listen to Horgan’s November 2015 Burns Scholar Lecture, entitled “Journalism – The First Draft of History?” Introductory remarks were given by Christian Dupont, Burns Librarian, and Dr. Robert Mauro, Director, Boston College Irish Institute.
A Boston College Chronicle interview with Professor Horgan, published in November 2014, is available online.
Selected publications:
Ed. Great Irish Reportage. Dublin: Penguin Ireland, 2013.
Broadcasting and Public Life: RTÉ News and Current Affairs 1926–1997. Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2004.
Irish Media: A Critical History Since 1922. London: Routledge, 2001.
Noel Browne: Passionate Outsider. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 1997.
Sean Lemass: The Enigmatic Patriot. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 1997.
Mary Robinson: An Independent Voice. Dublin: Gill & Macmillian, 1997.
