“Where imagination becomes experience”: Celebrating the life and work of Cecily O’Neill

Conference report

Abstract

This report reflects upon the 2026 conference Where Imagination Becomes Experience: Celebrating the Life and Work of Cecily O’Neill, held on July 25th and 26th in Trinity College Dublin in honour of Professor Cecily O’Neill’s 90th birthday. Carmel O’Sullivan was the Conference Director, supported by a large international conference organising team including Erika Piazzoli, Susan Kennedy Killian and Ciarán Treanor from Trinity. This report provides an overview of the two-day event from the perspective of the author who was in attendance. It outlines some of the insights shared during the keynote address and panel discussions and shares the aesthetic experience of attending the artistic performances and participating in Professor O’Neill’s workshop.