VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova University’s Center for Irish Studies released its schedule of events for spring 2018. Events include a poetry reading by 2018 Heimbold Chair, Colette Bryce, among other featured programs.
Annual James Joyce Birthday Celebration
Monday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m.
McShea’s Pub, Ardmore
James Joyce is one of Ireland’s most famous writers with novels including Ulysses and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. On Feb. 5, the Villanova Center of Irish Studies is hosting a birthday celebration for the author at McShea’s Pub in Ardmore. The evening will include traditional music and dance. This event is free and open to the public.
“Writing the Tiger: Literary Perspectives on Irish Prosperity a Decade after the Crash,” Sarah Townsend, PhD
Thursday, Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m.
SAC 300
The collapse of Ireland's economic bubble in 2008 brought to an end the 15-year era of prosperity known as the Celtic Tiger. Sarah Townsend, PhD, assistant professor of British and Irish Literary Studies at The University of New Mexico, explores Irish fiction and drama in the decade following the 2008 financial crash—demonstrating how the upswing and its aftermath has remapped narratives about risk, aspiration and human potential.
“Irish Language and West Kerry Folklore,” Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh
Thursday, Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m.
Location TBD
The Irish Folklore tradition is paramount to understanding Ireland’s culture and language. Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh, Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of Notre Dame, explores the history of Irish linguistic tradition and folklore, specifically in West Kerry, of County Kerry in the south-west region of Ireland. This event is free and open to the public.
Reception and Poetry Reading by Colette Bryce
Thursday, Mar. 15, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. reading
Presidents’ Lounge, Connelly Center
Colette Bryce is an award-winning poet from Northern Ireland and the author of four poetry collections, most recently she released Selected Poems. Bryce is the 2018 Charles A. Heimbold Chair, a visiting writer-in-residence program that offers Irish Studies students the enriching experience of a close classroom experience with one of Ireland’s finest contemporary poets. On March 15, Bryce performs a poetry reading, followed by a reception and book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
“From the Celtic Tiger to the Celtic Phoenix: the Economy in Today’s Ireland,” Michael Curan, PhD
Thursday, Apr. 10, 4 p.m.
Location TBD
When Ireland’s economy suffered from a major economic downturn, it affected the way Irish economists and policymakers would rebuild the country’s economy. In a presentation on April 10, Michael Curran, PhD, assistant professor of Economics, explores the historical narrative of Ireland’s economic events while bridging issues of contemporary economic policies to learn more about today’s Ireland. This event is free and open to the public.
About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has cultivated knowledge, understanding and intellectual courage for a purposeful life in a challenged and changing world. With more than 40 majors across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, it is the oldest and largest of Villanova’s colleges, serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The College is committed to a teacher-scholar model, offering outstanding undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and a rigorous core curriculum that prepares students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators and ethical leaders with a truly global perspective.
