Appreciation: Conor K Ward, leader in social science study in Ireland

The death in July of Msgr Conor K Ward, former professor of social science at University College Dublin marked the passing of a major contributor to the development of the study of the social sciences in Ireland. Gentleness and kindness were the words most frequently used at his funeral Mass at St Brigid’s Church, Cabinteely, where Archbishop Dermot Farrell recalled his contribution to the sociology of religion, his academic career, and his contribution to the development of the University of Bethlehem.

He was born in 1930, the eldest of five children, in Rush, Co Dublin, to Thomas and Kathleen Ward (née Monks). He won scholarships to secondary school (St Macartan’s, Monaghan) and to university. At UCD, he earned a BA in philosophy and politics and subsequently studied at the Pontifical University, Rome where he was awarded the degrees of BD and STL.

After his ordination in 1953 he held a number of chaplaincies for two years and hoped to be appointed to serve in a parish in a deprived area. Instead, he was sent by archbishop John McQuaid to study sociology at the University of Liverpool. His PhD thesis formed the basis of a book, Priests and People, which was innovative in the development of sociology of religion as an academic speciality.

He was appointed as a lecturer in UCD in 1959, and in 1974 became professor of social science. Conor spent 32 years at UCD working tirelessly in building up the social science department. He was dean of the faculty of philosophy and sociology, 1988- 1991. He transformed the teaching of sociology there, establishing it on a firm empirical and theoretical basis.

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With colleagues he established the Social Science Research Centre in 1961, which developed a substantial policy-oriented research programme.

He had a strong collegial spirit and was generous with his time in supporting students and colleagues. In the wider community he made many important contributions. These included serving as chairman of the Dublin Institute of Adult Education, member of the executive committee of the Economic and Social Research Institute and board member of the first Irish/EC Combat Poverty Programme.

Abroad, he was involved in the EU as rapporteur to the Economic and Social Committee, and as an Irish advisor on the FAST/Monitor Programme (DG XII).

He was a member of a cohort of intellectual priests from the archdiocese of Dublin who contributed to the shaping of modern Ireland. His distinguished contribution to social science disciplines and to the application of knowledge in the service of society ranks with that of the Radharc team on TV and of others who worked as adult education innovators.