Eamonn Feichin O'Doherty (10 February 1918 – 9 September 1998), best known as E. F. O'Doherty, was an Irish

experimental psychologist Experimental psychology is the work done by those who apply Experiment, experimental methods to psychological study and the underlying processes. Experimental psychologists employ Research participant, human participants and Animal testing, anim ...

and

Catholic priest The priesthood is the office of the ministers of religion, who have been commissioned ("ordained") with the holy orders of the Catholic Church. Technically, bishops are a priestly order as well; however, in common English usage ''priest'' refe ...

Career

O'Doherty was born to Seamus and Katherine O'Doherty in the United States of America. After the family returned to Ireland he attended the Irish Language School, Colaiste Mhuire, Dublin. He studied for the priesthood in

Clonliffe College Holy Cross College (also known as Clonliffe College), located on Clonliffe Road, Drumcondra, was founded in 1854 as the Catholic diocesan seminary for Dublin by Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin (later created, in 1866, a cardinal). History ...

, Dublin and in Rome. Along with his religious formation studies, he also took a degree in UCD, as Clonliffe students did, he earned a BA in 1938 and an MA in 1939. While studying theology at the Lateran University in Rome he gained a BD in 1941. He obtained his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

with

Frederic Bartlett Sir Frederic Charles Bartlett Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS (20 October 1886 – 30 September 1969) was a British psychologist and the first professor of experimental psychology at the University of Cambridge. He was one of the forerunners o ...

. In 1949 he was appointed Professor of Logic and Psychology in

University College Dublin University College Dublin (), commonly referred to as UCD, is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland. With 38,417 students, it is Ireland's largest ...

succeeding his mentor Msgr. John Shine. He held the position until 1983 when he retired to be succeeded by Fr. Michael Nolan. Dr. O'Doherty served as Registrar for the college for a time. In 1958, he established the UCD

Diploma A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offi ...

in Psychology. The UCD School of Psychology awards the ''Eamon Fechín O'Doherty award'' for first place in the Higher Diploma in Psychology. In 1967 despite his misgivings for it as being taught as an undergraduate subject, O'Doherty established the BA in psychology in UCD. Professor O'Doherty along with his colleague Dr. Chamberlin established the first post-graduate course for Guidance Counsellors in Ireland in UCD also in 1967. Monsignor O'Doherty died after a long illness aged 80 in 1998.Mgr Feichin O Doherty
Obituary, Irish Times Monday, 28 September 1998.

Research and practice

As a Clinical psychologist, he was an assessor for

Aer Lingus Aer Lingus ( ; an anglicisation of the Irish language, Irish , meaning "air fleet") is an Irish airline company which is the flag carrier of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Founded by the Irish Government, it was privatised between 2006 and 201 ...

airline pilots. He was a member of the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

Committee on Mental Health. The

Ferns Report The Ferns Report (2005) was an official Irish government inquiry into the allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns in County Wexford, Ireland. Scope The Inquiry was set up by the Government of Ireland to identi ...

into child abuse, highlighted how the Bishop ignored Professor O'Doherty's reports and evaluation of some of those who went on to be involved in the scandal.

Family

O'Doherty's family were involved in the struggle for Irish independence. His father Séamus O'Doherty was an Irish Republican and a member of the IRB military council, and his parents accompanied

Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera (; ; first registered as George de Valero; changed some time before 1901 to Edward de Valera; 14 October 1882 – 29 August 1975) was an American-born Irish statesman and political leader. He served as the 3rd President of Ire ...

on his visit to America, where young O'Doherty first attended school in Philadelphia. His mother

Katherine Katherine (), also spelled Catherine and Catherina, other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Ch ...

acted as a courier during the War of Independence, and for De Valera and the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War. She wrote ''Assignment America'' about the fundraising and campaign for recognition for the Republic, trip to the USA. Katherine was secretary for the National Aid Society following the Easter 1916 Rising. His maternal aunt Rev. Mother Columba (Maria) Gibbons, was also noted for her republican sympathies. His brother

Kevin Kevin is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; ; ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ). The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicised from , an Irish diminutive form.''A Dictiona ...

wrote a book about their parents ''My Parents and Other Rebels.'' Kevin's grandson is the comedian

David O'Doherty David Nicholas O'Doherty (; born 18 December 1975) is an Irish comedian, author, musician, actor and playwright and son of renowned jazz pianist Jim Doherty. His stand-up has won many international awards, including the if.comedy award in 2008 ...

.Comedian David O'Doherty on his grandfather, whose memoir gives a unique insight into the events of 1916
By Richard Fitzpatrick, Irish Examiner. His sister

Roisin Roisin may refer to: * Róisín, Roisin or Rosheen, an Irish female given name (including a list of persons with the name) * "Róisín Dubh" (song), an Irish political song * "Róisín Dubh", a track from the Thin Lizzy album '' Black Rose: A Roc ...

, a goddaughter of De Valera, was a diplomat who married Robert McDonagh an Ambassador to West Germany, the United Kingdom and the United Nations.

Publications

Books *''The Priest and Mental Health'' (1962) ith Desmond McGrath">Desmond_McGrath.html" ;"title="ith Desmond McGrath">ith Desmond McGrath*''Religion and Personality Problems'' (1964) *''General Psychology'' (1971) *''The Psychology of Vocation'' (1971) *''Vocation, Formation, Consecration & Vows: Theological and Psychological Considerations'' (1971) *''Religion and Psychology'' (1978) Selected papers *O'Doherty, E. F. (1948)
''Memory and Man''
''Irish Monthly'' 76 (895): 15–21. *O'Doherty, E. F. (1951)
''Psychopathology and Mystical Phenomena''
''Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review'' 40 (157): 23–32. *O'Doherty, E. F. (1956)
''Religion and Mental Health''
''Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review'' 45 (177): 39–49. *O'Doherty, E. F. (1960)
''Taboo, Ritual and Religion''
Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review 49 (194): 131–143. *O'Doherty, E. (1960)
''Toward A Dynamic Psychology''
''Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review'' 49 (196): 341–354. *O'Doherty, E. F. (1969)
''Psychological Aspects of Student Revolt''
''Theoria: A Journal of Social and Political Theory'' 33: 29–36.

Awards

* Member,

Royal Irish Academy The Royal Irish Academy (RIA; ), based in Dublin, is an academic body that promotes study in the natural sciences, arts, literature, and social sciences. It is Ireland's premier List of Irish learned societies, learned society and one of its le ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:ODoherty, E. F. 1918 births 1998 deaths Alumni of the University of Cambridge Alumni of University College Dublin Alumni of Clonliffe College Experimental psychologists Irish psychologists Members of the Royal Irish Academy 20th-century Irish Roman Catholic priests Academics of University College Dublin 20th-century psychologists People educated at Coláiste Mhuire, Dublin O'Doherty family