The Passing of Gerry Higgins

A remarkable figure in Victoria’s Irish-Australian community, Gerry Higgins and his family generously funded the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies at the University of Melbourne. It remains the only chair of Irish Studies in the whole of Australia. Gerry’s philanthropy has enabled hundreds of students to understand better Ireland and its part in world and Australian history; and has also supported research and teaching by a score of scholars. His achievement will be honoured by all those interested in Irish Studies, in Victoria and around the world.

Professor Ronan McDonald
Gerry Higgins Professor of Irish Studies
University of Melbourne


The Requiem Mass at St Ignatius, Richmond, was streamed live on 23 February 2021.