Honorary Officers
The Federation for Ulster Local Studies is grateful to be supported by a number of influential figures from within local studies in Ulster from a variety of backgrounds including Broadcasting, History, Irish Studies and Genealogy- with many serving honorary positions as Patron, President & Vice-President of the Federation for Ulster Local Studies.
Meet our current Honorary Officers below;
Patron
Pat Loughrey
Pat Loughrey began his career as a secondary school teacher in Draperstown, Co. Tyrone before having over 25 year career in broadcasting with the BBC; Head of Education Broadcasting BBCNI (1988-1991), Head of Programmes BBCNI (1991-1994), Controller BBCNI (1994-2000) and finally Director Nations and regions (2000-2009). Pat became Warden of Goldsmiths University of London (2010-2019) and in 2024, he was made an honorary fellow of Goldsmiths.
Throughout his career in broadcasting, Pat remained committed to championing local studies and history in Northern Ireland and beyond and was responsible for the production of many fantastic historical documentaries. In recognition of his contribution to local studies in Ulster, he became Patron of the Federation for Ulster Local Studies in 2025.
President
Professor Brian Walker
Brian Walker is currently a Professor Emeritus of Irish Studies at Queens University Belfast and has had a long career as an academic and engaged with local studies in Ulster.
He has written extensively on Irish History including A political history of the two Irelands: from partition to peace (2012) and Irish history matters: politics, identities and commemoration (2021) and co-edited a number of volumes such as The Church of Ireland: An illustrated history (2012).
In recognition of his contribution to the study of Irish History and long support of local studies he was asked to be President of the Federation for Ulster Local Studies (2020-2025) and is currently serving his second term (2025-2030).
Vice-President
Helen Meehan
Helen Meehan [née Montgomery] a retired teacher & past President of Donegal Historical Society. A regular contributor to its journal, other Ulster Journals, Southern Federation journal, Clan Montgomery Journal (USA), Dictionary of Irish Biography (Royal Irish Academy) Atlas of Co Donegal etc. Helen has published 4 books and was awarded an MA [Hons Causa] by the University of Galway for her 726 page "Inver Parish in History.
In 2025, to honour her contribution to the study of local history, Helen was appointed as a Vice-President for the Federation for Ulster Local Studies.
Vice-President
Dr William Roulston
William Roulston is currently Research Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation.
He has written numerous books on historical and genealogical topics in Ulster including Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors (2018), Researching Presbyterian Ancestors in Ireland (2020) & Researching farming ancestors in Ireland (2021).
In recognition of his service to local studies in Ulster, he was asked to be Vice-President (2019-2024) & is currently serving his second term (2025-2030).
Vice-President
Roddy Hegarty
Roddy Hegarty is currently the Director of the Cardinal O'Fiach Library in Armagh. He has a long association with the Federation for Ulster Local Studies, previously serving as Chairman and was also employed as Development Officer between 1998-2006. In recognition of his long service to the development of the Federation he was asked to be Vice-President (2019-2024) & is currently serving his second term (2025-2030).