Raymond Gillespie

Raymond Gillespie (8 November 19558 February 2024) was an Irish historian, known for his work on local and early modern Irish history.

Early life and education Raymond Gillespie was born on 8 November 1955 in Belfast, Northern Ireland; son of Ernest and Annie Gillespie. His father was a cabinet maker who worked at the Harland & Wolff shipyard.

Gillespie studied history at Queen's University Belfast,

Career Gillespie spent seven years with the Department of Finance, before moving to the Office of Public Works from 1989 to 1991. At Maynooth he initiated the Maynooth Studies in Local History series in 1995 (which he edited until 2020), and also established the Certificate, BA and MA courses in local history at the university. He was appointed professor of history at Maynooth University, After stepping down as editor he was appointed assistant editor and was involved in another three journals. He was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2001.

Personal life Gillespie married Bernadette Cunningham, whom he had met while they were both members of the Irish History Students' Association. Though Methodist, he married in a Catholic church.

Death Gillespie died on 8 February 2024 in the Mater Hospital, Dublin. He had an ecumenical funeral at the Catholic church in Corofin, County Clare, his wife's hometown.