Dr Geraldine Carville receives an OBE

Dr Geraldine Carville JP, who is also Sen, DLITT, PhD, MA, MEd, BA, BSc Hons, DipMus, FRSG, lives at Chancery Chase at the Maze.

Dr Carville, a Queen’s University graduate, has published as many as 13 text books and over 20 research journal articles.

Her work has been reviewed by over 140 reviewers. She has been a member of the Queen’s Women Graduate for many years.

The first award a Bene Merenti medal and diploma was presented to her for her first book the Heritage of the Holy Cross at Abbey in Co Tipperary.

At the 2004 International Congress on Medieval Studies, she received the International Otto Grundler Prize and $2,500 US dollars at Western Michigan University - the first time that it was won by anyone outside the United States - for her book on ‘The Impact of the Cistercians on the Landscape of Ireland.’

In addition to her writing Dr Carville has worked tirelessly for her communities in South West Belfast and the Maze Districts. She has conscientiously dedicated her time to help her community both as a teacher and as a musician and a Justice of the Peace JP.

Dr Carville’s community and environmental services are exemplary.

In July 2011 University of Swansea recognised Dr Carville‘s research and literature by awarding her with a Senior Doctor of Letters Degree.

Geraldines publication ‘The History of the Parish of Kilbarron Ballyshannon was launched in November 2012.

She has been commissioned to commence writing her 14th book for Centenary of Knights of St Columbanus.

Dr Carville is a church organist and a committed Christian.

Her interest is in medieval manuscripts and research into the plain song chants which were introduced in Ireland by the Scottish Presbyterians during the Plantation of Ulster.

During her research, Dr Carville studies ‘acoustic jars and the missing note’.

This is the theme of her 2009 publication The Cistercian Abbey Church where the Very Stones Sing the Psalms.’

The Mayor of Lisburn recently held a Civic Reception to thank her for her committed role as an ammassador for her communities.