Email: enibhrao@nd.edu
Elaine Ní Bhraonáin began teaching Irish Language at Notre Dame Dublin in 2018.
Irish America has been a part of Dr. Ní Bhraonáin’s life since her first stint in the US in 1999. She holds her Ph.D. from Queens University Belfast, writing her thesis on Irish identity and New York City. She also holds an M.A. in Irish Studies (history and anthropology) from Queens University Belfast and an M.A. (Irish language) and a B.A. (Irish language and Irish folklore) both from University College Dublin.
Dr. Ní Bhraonáin spent 10 years living in New York and teaching Irish for the City University of New York, the Irish Consulate, New York Public Library and many Irish American community centers including The Irish Arts Center, The Aisling Immigration Centre, The New York Irish Center. Outside of teaching, she wrote a weekly bilingual column in The Irish Echo, an Irish American community newspaper. After ten years in the US, Elaine returned to Ireland, settling in Mother’s home county, Wexford, one hour from her home in Dublin. Her father is from County Mayo.
Dr. Ní Bhraonáin’s passions are: drinking tea, her dogs, watching hurling, traveling with her three sons and husband Dean (who hails from South Africa) and volunteering.
Dr. Ní Bhraonáin is an advocate for neonatal healthcare and for the women, children, and families affected by pregnancy complications and preterm birth. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance. She is also a board member of the Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten in Wexford and the parent representative on the Board of Management of her local Primary School.