ABOUT THE CENTER
Villanova University’s Irish history began in 1842 when it was founded by Irish Augustinians as a school for Irish immigrants. Since then, Villanova’s connections—to the Irish community in the United States, and to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland—have grown deeper and stronger.
Today, Villanova is the heart of Irish activity in our region for educators, authors, artists, athletes, business leaders and politicians. Our faculty come from a range of disciplines, and the Center facilitates courses in Irish literature, history, language studies, art, politics, theatre and philosophy, offering a minor to students from all colleges and a major through the Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies.
Visiting scholars, writers and lecturers from Ireland, including our visiting Charles Heimbold Chair of Irish Studies, keep alive our dialogue with Ireland. Outside the classroom, the Center organizes vibrant study abroad opportunities, particularly at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland, Dublin.
Our Supporters
In 2016, Villanova University received a transformational gift from the Connelly Foundation, elevating the longstanding Irish Studies Program to a Center. In recognition of the Connelly Foundation’s generosity, the Center’s directorship was named for Emily C. Riley, Executive Vice President for the Connelly Foundation and a former member of the Villanova University Board of Trustees.
We are grateful to the Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick who have made many important initiatives possible, including the Charles A. Heimbold Jr. Chair of Irish Studies and experiential learning programs for our students in Ireland.
As a Center we are committed to supporting peace in Northern Ireland. We recognize the momentous achievement of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and acknowledge the role played by the US in that settlement. We seek to contribute to that work and to deepen the relationship between our two countries. In the post-Brexit context, we work to serve as a forum for dialogue between writers, artists, political representatives, policymakers, activists and others across the island of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
SUPPORT THE CENTER
Your donations support the Center in its mission to promote the study and practice of communication and celebrate its role in the creation of social change.
COLLEGE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
COLLEGE MISSION
UNITAS: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
SUSTAINABLITY