DCU Alumni Awardee 2022 Paula Melvin

Paula Melvin is President of Conradh na Gaeilge, the first female to hold that office since 1995. 

Professionally, Paula is Senior Manager of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland and over the past decade has worked in a number of different contexts across the arts, media, education, youth work and with professional bodies.

Since her time as an undergraduate in DCU, during which time she represented the student voice on the University’s Governing Authority. Paula has maintained a prodigious level of volunteer activity in support of education, young people, and in particular the Irish language.  

Her passion for an Ghaeilge was fostered in DCU when she was elected as Oifigeach na Gaeilge on the Students’ Union while also twice serving as Chairperson of the Cumann Gaelach in Saint Patrick’s DCU.

Historically known as the Gaelic League, Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish speaking community, representing its interests and advocating for its rights since its foundation by the first President of Ireland, Dr Douglas Hyde in 1893. It now has over 200 branches and numerous individual members registered worldwide.

During her presidency, Paula intends to visit as many branches of the Conradh as possible and on October 1^st last, she addressed over 5,000 people about the future of the Irish Language at  an Ireland’s Future event in the 3Arena. 

In addition to her commitment to Conradh, Paula also serves as Events Secretary of the Ireland United States Alumni Association and she was part of the first cohort participating in the DCU Alumni Emerging Leaders Programme in 2020-21. 

BA, Irish Language and Literature and History, 2012