There was an outpouring of affection and sadness following the death earlier this month of the Dominican Sister and pioneering Irish historian Dr Margaret MacCurtain at the age of 91. President Michael D. Higgins led tributes to Cork-born “Sr Ben” (she never took to the “very charming but very silly” Italian name she had been given when she entered – Benvenuta), recalling her campaign for the abolition of corporal punishment in schools and advocacy for the rights of children with special educational needs.

MacCurtain highlighted the often neglected role of women in Irish history in a series of books and monographs, and was a key figure in feminist scholarship at a time when it was viewed with scepticism by the male-dominated academic establishment. One of her many former students was our own Sarah Mac Donald, the Tablet Ireland correspondent. Sarah remembers not only her sharpness and extraordinary energy but her humility, kindness and generous mentorship.