Ethna Byrne-Costigan facts for kids

Ethna Byrne-Costigan (born May 24, 1904 – died January 12, 1991) was an important Irish academic and writer. She spent her life studying languages and sharing her knowledge with others.

Ethna's Early Life and Education

Ethna Byrne-Costigan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on May 24, 1904. She was the oldest daughter of Thomas Joseph Byrne, who was a chief architect for public buildings.

When she was young, Ethna lived in Italy with her relatives. She went to a convent school called Les Dames de Scion in Rome. After returning to Dublin, she lived in different places, including Dartmouth Square and Rathgar.

Ethna went to Loreto Hall for her schooling. Later, she attended University College Dublin. She was a brilliant student! In 1925, she earned a first-class degree in modern languages. Two years later, in 1927, she received a first-class master's degree in French.

She continued her studies in Paris, France, at the famous Sorbonne. There, she earned her doctorate degree. Her special project was a study of a writer named Bourdaloue.

Her Amazing Career in Languages

In 1939, Ethna Byrne-Costigan became a professor at University College Cork (UCC). She taught Romance languages, which include French, Italian, and Spanish. She stayed in this important role until 1969.

While at UCC, she did many great things. She helped create the Italian department. She also started a special course to help French teachers improve their skills.

Ethna wrote many academic papers. She studied famous plays like Le bourgeois gentilhomme by Molière, Athalie by Jean Racine, and Horace by Pierre Corneille.

She also loved translating books. She translated an Italian book called Le mie prigioni by Silvio Pellico into Irish. This translation is now kept in the Pellico Museum in Turin, Italy. She also translated poems by Salvatore Quasimodo into Irish.

Ethna helped start the Dante Alighieri Society in Cork. This society helps promote Italian culture and language. She was the president of this society from 1956 to 1969.

After leaving UCC, she continued to teach part-time at Trinity College Dublin. She taught about Italian language history and old medieval texts.

Ethna was also involved with UNESCO, a big international organization that promotes education and culture. She represented Ireland at UNESCO conferences in Paris twice. She was also an honorary secretary for the Celtic Congress.

In 1960, Italy honored her with a special award called the Grand Officer Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This was for all her hard work in promoting Italian culture and language in Ireland.

Later Life and Lasting Impact

Ethna Byrne-Costigan was not just a scholar; she was also a very talented embroiderer! Her beautiful embroidery work was even shown in exhibitions in the United States.

In 1941, she married George Costigan, who was an expert in ancient Egypt and languages. They had one daughter named Celine.

In 1989, Ethna wrote her memoirs, which are like a story of her life. She published them under the pen name "Ethna Bee Cee." She continued to research and give talks, even in her later years. In 1984, she gave a lecture about Sydney, Lady Morgan.

Ethna Byrne-Costigan passed away at her home in Dublin on January 12, 1991.

Her legacy lives on at UCC. The university gives out The Ethna Byrne Costigan Memorial Prize every year. This award goes to the student who gets the highest marks in their second-year Italian exam. A collection of her papers and writings is kept in the UCC library.