Kenneth W. Nicholls

We were very sorry to hear of ken’s passing. We will always have fond memories of him.

Ken was my MPhil supervisor back in the late 90s. A gifted scholar, he gave generously of his time and deep knowledge. Rest in peace.

I’m so sorry to hear of Ken Nichols passing. I was a student in UCC in the early 80’s when the college population was a lot less than it is now and we all seemed to know one another. Even though I didn’t do history I remember Mr. Nichols so well from that time, I always have an image of him in my mind walking down Jail Cross. He was a huge part of the rich fabric of the college. May he rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of Ken's passing. His lectures were an incredible journey, taking his students from Gaelic Chieftains to the Japanese Shogunate in an instance. Ken brought many historical to life, as if they were his personal acquitances. May Ken rest in peace.

Irish scholarship has lost a unique resource with the death of Kenneth Nicholls. The most altruistic of scholars and of men, he gave freely of his great learning and knowledge of the original sources. Over the years, I often had occasion to refer postgraduate students to him to seek clarification on some point or other relating to the early modern period; they were always received graciously by him and were never disappointed in their quest. There has never been another like him and never will be again.

Mr Nicholls' lectures were an absolute legend. I registered for History in the early 1990s just to listen to him tell us about medieval times in Ireland. By far, the most entertaining lecturer I've ever heard. At times, he'd chuckle after saying something. His was an edifying life that enriched the minds of those around him. May he rest in everlasting peace.

Ken Nicholls was a good friend and a fine scholar. I learned a lot as a student from his conversation and highly individual takes on a wide range of history and world affairs, and was sorry to have lost touch with him in recent years. He often made you feel foolish, but in an intellectually stimulating way - which is part of the learning process. He was rumoured to have a magnum opus in progress for many years - is there anything publishable that could be produced as a memorial to his scholarship? He had a wry sense of humour, and was very touching on the subject of cats. Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

I was fortunate to have Kenneth Nicholls as a stand in lecturer in first year history. He could paint a picture of the past like no other, often smiling to himself, as if even he was surprised at what he had unraveled.

Suaimhneas do i measc na nGael

Sincere sympathy to all who mourn Kenneth on his sad passing.
May he Rest In Peace reunited with his parents.

Another of the greats has left us.
In my first week as a Junior Freshman in Trinity College Dublin in 1979, the late Jim Lydon recommended we go and buy Gearóid’s Ireland before the Vikings, Donnchadh’s Ireland before the Normans, and Ken’s Gaelic and Gaelicised Ireland. The books have been my constant companions ever since and I only wish the same were truer of their authors for they were the most extraordinary of men, a privilege to have known.
Of them, Ken in his tweed suit was certainly the most eye-catching and his scholarship—his depth of knowledge of the obscurest of obscure archives (and willingness to share same)—was unsurpassed by anyone I have ever met. I have read footnotes by Kenneth Nicholls that contained more scholarship than a full article by some of us lessers.
One of those occasions when to say that we will never see his likes again does no justice at all to the expression. Leaba i measc na naomh dá anam uasal.

Sincere sympathy to all the friends and colleagues of Kenneth Nicholls. Only met him once but have known and valued his writings for decades. Thank you very much for everything. Rest in peace

Deepest sympathies to all Ken's friends and colleagues. He was a man of astounding scholarship who was happy to share it with all the world. May he rest in peace!

Very sorry to hear of the death of Ken McNicholls. I have known Ken for approx. twenty five years, and in that time I found him to be an absolute gentleman. He was so knowledgeable, always helpful and willing to impart that knowledge to all. May Ken Rest In Peace.

My sincerest sympathy to Ken's many friends who were fortunate to have known him better than me. He was an occasional customer in my bookshop and his knowledge of history was very impressive.
The tributes from past students and ex-colleagues are an eloquent testament to his unique talent.
A gentleman and a scholar.
May he RIP.

Such wonderful memories of Mr Nichols during my time at UCC. He was everything you wished for in a teacher....he brought it all to life in the most magical of ways. He was always beyond kind and cheerful. May his gentle souls now Rest in Peace

My sincere condolences to Kenneth’s friends and colleagues on his sad passing. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to all who cared for Prof. Nicholls, including his cats. May he rest in heavenly peace.

Deepest condolences to all those who mourn the passing of Kenneth. Thank you Ken for being you. Scholarship has lost a bright light but it probably shining brightly elsewhere. RIP

Rest in peace Kenneth. You shared a brief period of your journey with my father and admirably you were still writing and reading copiously in the last period of time. You struck me as a man of immense knowledge, intelligence and wit and it was a privilege to have met you for a snapshot of your life.

Sympathy to hear on the loss of Kenneth. May he Rest in Peace.

Deepest sympathy to all who mourn the passing of Kenneth.May Kenneth rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Kenneth’s friends and colleagues. May he rest in peace.

I offer my sympathy to those friends and colleagues who mourn the death of Kenneth Nicholls. Kenneth was a unique presence in the world of Irish historical scholarship. His formidable body of distinguished published work - and the memory of his unique personality - will be an enduring legacy. Máistir léinn. Trócaire ar a anam.

Deepest sympathy to all who mourn Kenneth Nicholls. I fondly recall attend his lectures as an undergraduate. He spoke without notes for an hour and we sat enthralled. A distinguished historian and a gentleman.

Ken Nicholls- scholar unique-affable, humorous, frighteningly erudite in wide-flung fields with a knowledge that he was happy to share with all. A rich presence in College; a lively and enlightening lecturer and seminar participant. A striking figure on the University campus and the embodiment of university scholarship. A noble, gentle man whose person and whose work enriched all who knew him. Trócaire sa chré air.

A great scholar and a generous colleague. He will be missed
Ar lámh dheis Dé go raibh sé

Sorry to hear of Ken's passing. Sincere sympathy to all his friends, neighboursand colleagues. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Kenneth’s friends on his death.
May he rest in peace .

Sincere condolences to Kenneth’s friends on his death . May he rest in peace .

Sorry to hear of the death of Ken. I have known him for approx. twenty- five years, and in that time I found him to be an absolute gentleman. He was so knowledgeable, always helpful and willing to impart that knowledge to all. May Ken Rest In Peace

Sincere condolences to all who mourn Mr Nicholls. A gentleman.May he RIP.

As a non-historian, I count myself deeply fortunate to have come to know Kenneth more than a decade ago, and in the time since then I’ve frequently been the beneficiary of his generously shared encyclopaedic command of Irish history and historical phonology. Go raibh comhluadar síoraí agat i measc saoithe na bhFlaitheas, a Kenneth uasail.

So sorry to read of Kenneth’s death. He was a gentleman and a scholar. His learning and scholarship were appreciated greatly by Donnchadh Ó Corráin, my late husband.
May he enjoy the great symposia of the hereafter.
Lux perpetua luceat eis.

I gcuimhne ar Kenneth Nicholls. In grateful remembrance of his generous help with historical research through the years. He was a scholar of the utmost integrity and was gifted with a remarkable memory. Solas na bhFlaitheas dá anam uasal.

Condolences on the death of Kenneth
to his many friends and past students.
Apart from his scholary pursuits he was a most caring indvidual.He looked after Eileen O Mahony of Ballymichael with great care and compassion and many others.
Sonas siorrai na bflatheas RIP

A great scholar, one of a kind. RIP

My thoughts are with Kenneth's friends at this time. He was a very supportive supervisor when I did my MA with him, and very generous with his time and knowledge of sources. His pioneering work on Gaelic Ireland will be a lasting legacy. A true scholar.

Sincere condolences to Kenneth's friends on his passing. May he rest in peace.

The news of Ken's passing brought a tide of emotions, and fond memories of my too few times with him. He generously guided me through sixteenth century Kerry with a powerful ability to recall events, and people, and weave their stories into a rich historical tapestry.

Guím suaimhneas duitse, Ken, and that you may glory among the scholars and scribes of Éireann, a tá ar shlí na firinne romhatsa.

Sincere condolences to all who mourn Ken from all of us at O'Leary's SuperValu Macroom

Ken's lectures brought late mediaeval Ireland to vivid life for me in the 1980s, a gentle, generous and inspiring scholar.
God rest him.

I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Prof. Kenneth Nicholls, with all the best attributes of the quintessential professor. He was an iconic figure at UCC, legendary in the History Department and far beyond. May he rest in everlasting peace.

Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.

RIP Kenneth Nicholls.

My condolences to Ken's friends and colleagues, a brilliant scholar and it was a privilege to have been taught by him.

So sorry to learn of the sad passing of Kenneth. The depth of his knowledge was extraordinary. Also he was most generous is sharing it. As a historian he is simply irreplaceable and such a great loss to all. Rest in peace Kenneth

Sincere condolences to those who mourn Kenneth, he had very good friends and neighbors who were exceptionally kind to him. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to all those who mourne Kenneth. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Thanks Kenneth for your work - it was a pleasure to know you.
May you have Eternal Rest.

So sad to hear of Kenneths Passing.
I knew him for many years when he used to bring his car for repair to my
garage. it was always a pleasrue to deal with him his knowledge of world affairs.history and always reading up on things. he enjoyed his job in ucc.
this kind of old school person can not be replaced.
A pleasure to have know you and dealt with you)
R.I.P Kenneth.

I was lucky enough to attend some of Mr Nicholls' lectures in UCC in the late 90s. We were uniformly fascinated by his style, his uniqueness, his astounding command of history, that slow walk of his and his gentle way. He was one of life's good ones. God rest him.

I had been thinking of Kenneth Nicholls in recent times and how he fared. I am saddened now to hear of his passing away. What a scholar! How lucky Ireland was to have had one of such great mind. An extraordinary gatherer and sharer of arcane knowledge.

D'éag duine nach deárnaidh cárnadh riamh dá bhfuair,
d'éag ursa dob áidhbhseach cáil i ngrianaibh suadh.

Kenneth's knowledge of people, culture, flora and fauna gave him an uncommon understanding of the world. He found pleasure in the simple things in life, lived a modest life, and cherished his friends and neighbours. Gone is a legend, but not forgotten. Sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing. May he rest in peace.

The death of Kenneth Nicholls leaves a gap that will never be filled. His expertise in late-medieval Irish law & custom, which he shared with us in the weekly Legal Deeds seminar in the Department of Modern Irish in UCC, will live long in the memory of the students and scholars who attended. Gura gean le Dia thall é.

My deepest sympathy to all who mourn Ken. He was the best lecturer in UCC with the greatest mind. Spoke freely for hours note free- truly unique and peerless in so many ways. I'm glad I knew him. RIP Ken.

May ken rest in peace, my sincere condolances .
It's very sad to hear of this savage loss.
May god guide you through this dark and difficult time. Jesus died for our sins & was buried + rose again so I hope you turn to him and believe & trust in him alone + I am sure you will find hope and joy once more at this hard time xo


Lance & Jessica O'Donovan (Gavin + Clo) and young jess junior xo

Sincere condolences on the passing of Kenneth, a brilliant scholar and medieval historian. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to all those who mourn the passing of Kenneth an extremely intelligent person.May his memory be a blessing.

My sincere sympathy to all who mourn Kenneth and who are saddened at his passing. He was a brilliant historian and will be very much missed by all of us who knew him and his brilliant work.

Ken was a learned gentleman. I attended his lectures while studying history at UCC several moons ago now. Ken was very approachable. He gave me some useful advice when conducting research separate to my academic work. Commiserations to all who held him dear. Eternal rest oh Lord grant unto Ken's kind soul.

Please accept expression of sympathy on the death of Mr.Nicholls.
He was highly scholarly, and a real gentleman.
May he rest in Heavenly peace.

Condolences to Kenneth's friends and colleagues on his passing. May he rest in peace.