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See our list of events on the Event page.
December 2021
Job Posting for a Tenure Track Position in Irish Studies
An opening for a tenure track Irish langauge instructor was announced in December. See tenure Tenure Track Job Posting
for details on the position. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2022. The candidate would start July 1, 2022.
September 1, 2021
Muireann Bergin joins the Irish Studies program
Irish Studies would like to introduce their newest Irish language instructor - Muireann Bergin.
She did her undergraduate degree in French and Modern Irish at University College Dublin (UCD) and is currently finishing my masters in Early and Medieval Irish from University College Cork (UCC). Muireann likes music, hiking and travelling. She is in for a treat as Nova Scotia has a lot to offer.
March 13, 2021
Saint Mary's Irish Language Morning
Orla McCague, this year's ICUF Irish Language put together three different language sessions via Zoom. She was joined by fellow instructor, Jennifer Publicover of traditional Irish music, and also by alumnus Kieran Walker. Each session was about 45 minutes long, allowing participants to learn new phrases for Saint Patrick's Day.
March 5, 2021
The D'Arcy McGee Lecture - An evening with Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Doireann Ní Ghríofa, a rising poet and essayist in Ireland, spoke candidly with her audience via Zoom on March 4th as this year's guest speaker at the D'Arcy McGee Lecture. She shared some of her current work and even read some of her work from A Ghost in the Throat.
March 6, 2020
The 2020 D'Arcy McGee Lecture - "Why do you write in Irish?"
Biddy Jenkinson, renown Irish-language poet, spoke on March 6th for the 2020 D'Arcy McGee Lecture entitled "Why do you write in Irish".
Thursday, February 13, 2020
"Hard Questions, Emerging Answers: Why Gaelic in Nova Scotia Matters"
This was a lecture given by Dr. John Shaw, Honorary Fellow, Celtic and Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh. The lecture was a joint effort between the Highland Village, Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs, and the Irish Studies program at Saint Mary's. Dr. Shaw has spent many years researching and studying the local Gaelic stories in Cape Breton. Given Nova Scotia's unique history, that Gaelic should have survived into the present day, that is a remarkable achievement. This lecture explored the hard questions that the Gaelic initiatives have confronted over the years and its responses.
July 2019
The Irish Studies programme is delighted to announce that Orla Nic Thaidhg (Orla McCague) will join us in September 2019 as our new Ireland Canada University Foundation Teagascóir Gaeilge/ Irish-language Instructor. Orla is from Monaghan, Ireland. She has a B.A. in Music and Irish from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and a Masters in Education through the medium of Irish from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Orla has worked in secondary schools in Ireland and also taught Irish and music at the University of Montana (Missoula) through the Fulbright programme in 2017/2018. With her strong interest in music, Orla hopes to be able to share her love for Irish music, song and dance with the community in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. When asked what she was looking forward to doing when she arrives to Canada, she responded, “I am looking forward to experiencing lots of outdoor activities — I hope to go skiing again and would love to see some whales! Niagara Falls is also on the list.”
Orla is the eighth Irish-language instructor to be hosted by Saint Mary's University through its partnership with the Ireland Canada University Foundation since 2009. In addition, annually, three Irish-language students from Saint Mary's University receive ICUF scholarships to attend Irish-language immersion courses offered by NUIG at its campus in an Cheathrú Rua, Conamara.
Saint Mary's University and Irish Studies value highly their partnership with the ICUF and acknowledge the generous contribution of the Government of Ireland's Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in funding the ICUF's Clár Gaeilge/ Irish-language Programme.
We look forward to welcoming Orla Nic Thaidhg to Saint Mary's University. Cuirimid fáilte romhat, a Orla.
May 2019
Spring Convocation
Kelsey Everett graduated cum laude with a major in Irish Studies and a minor in chemistry. Kelsey was this year's receipient of the Brian O'Brien Medal. She had done three summer scholarshps in Ireland through the ICUF Summer Scholarship program.
Professor of Emeritus was designated to Dr. John Reid, a long standing member of the Irish Studies committee.
Professor Padraig O'Malley was bestowed Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa. He is the John Joseph Moakley Distinguished Professor of Peace and Reconciliation at the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston. O'Malley has expertise on Northern Ireland.
January 2019
Winter Convocation
Laura Freeman Marr graduated on January 18, 2019. Laura did an honours in Anthropology, major in Irish Studies, and Co-operative Education.
October 2018
August 2018
Irish Studies announces its newest ICUF member, Neil Ó Briain. Neil will be joining them in September. He will be teaching Irish Language this coming academic year. He has an MA in General Linguistics from Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and a BA in History and Irish Language from University College Cork. He has spent the last few years back in his home town of Cork, teaching and working with Irish as well as playing music. He is looking forward to his time in Nova Scotia to help introduce Irish language and culture to those interested. He is excited to experience a new place in return! Apart from Irish, his interest mainly revolves around the guitar and travelling.
July 2018
Saint Mary’s University ICUF Irish-Language
Summer School Scholarship Recipients 2018
Irish Studies is excited to see three of its Irish-language students, Kieran Walker, Kelsey Everett, and Kenzie Roach head off to Ireland for the 2018 Summer School Scholarship. They will be studying Irish in the Conamara Gaeltacht this summer. The students have received Ireland Canada University Foundation scholarships, funded by the Government of Ireland, to attend Irish-language immersion courses offered by the National University of Ireland, Galway, at NUIG’s campus, Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, in an Cheathrú Rua. The scholarships cover course tuition, accommodation and meals for the duration of their courses. In addition, the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research, Saint Mary’s University, is providing funding to support the students’ travel to Ireland. This is the nineth year that our students have received such scholarships to attend these language courses.
We have asked all three students to introduce themselves and tell us why they were drawn to the program.
Kieran Walker who just graduated is really excited about the trip. He tells us “I have been studying Irish for the past year, and was able to take the introductory course at Saint Mary’s in the fall semester of 2017. I have enjoyed every moment of the learning process so far. That being said, I was elated when I discovered that I would be given this opportunity to continue my study of the language in Ireland in the immersive environment of the Gaeltacht. I have further incorporated the Irish language into my undergraduate degree by making it the focus of my honours thesis in Anthropology.”
Recently visiting my office was Kelsey Everett of Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Along with sharing her father’s excitement of the prospect of coming home with some more tasty Irish cheese, she reports “I have just completed my third year at Saint Mary’s University and am majoring in Irish Studies with a minor in Chemistry. I am very honored and excited to be returning to An Cheathrú Rua this summer for the third time. I am looking forward to learning new things and further developing my speaking skills. Learning Irish in a classroom in Canada is completely different from being able to learn it in a place where it is used everyday. An Cheathrú Rua has definitely become one of my favorite places to be and having the opportunity to attend Irish classes there just makes it that much better.”
And finally, “I am from Milford Nova Scotia.” Kenzie Roach reports. “I am going into my third year at Saint Mary’s and working towards a Bachelors of Arts degree with a major in Geography. My goal is to continue on to do a masters in planning or a bachelors of education. I am hoping that with this scholarship I will be able to further my knowledge on the Irish culture and Gaelic language and aid me in either path I choose. I am extremely excited for my first voyage overseas and getting to experience Ireland first hand and all its charm and history. I am truly grateful to be given the opportunity to build an authentic gaelic knowledge otherwise unobtainable to me in Nova Scotia.”
The Irish Studies programme at Saint Mary’s University wishes the ICUF Gaeltacht Scholarship 2018 recipients the best of luck as they head into summer and their trips to Ireland. We look forward to hearing their stories and seeing their photographs! Go n-éirí go seoigh leis an triúr mac léinn.
June 2018
John Prendergast, Language Instructor Recieves Fulbright Scholarship
John Prendergast, the language instructor with the Irish Studies department for the last two years is the recipient of a 2018-2019 Fulbright FLTA Award. And to his delight he was assigned to Notre Dame University in the United States.
May 16-18, 2018
Spring Convocation
Congratulations to Maggie Redden! Maggie is this year's recipient of the Brian O’Brien Medal. Maggie was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology with designation of summa cum laude. She has taken six Irish Studies courses and has travelled twice with the Conflict Resolution Society to Northern Ireland to assist facilitate peace education workshops.
Dr. Brian O’Brien, a long time benefactor of the Chair of Irish Studies and a stalwart of the Irish community in Halifax, has generously donated the O’Brien Medal. In establishing the O’Brien Medal, Brian was reinstating a practice which ceased when the Irish Christian Brothers left Saint Mary’s in 1940. A medal had been awarded annually in Irish History at Saint Mary’s and for the last time 1938; the final recipient being Edmund Boyd. Edmund presented his medal to the Chair of Irish Studies archival collection and is currently on display.
The O’Brien Medal serves both to honour a graduating student who excelled in Irish Studies and to memorialize the contributions of two O’Briens who have played pivotal roles in the history of Saint Mary’s. Rev. Richard Baptist O’Brien was the first President of Saint Mary’s when it acquired degree granting status in 1841. He served as president until he returned to Ireland in 1845. The other O’Brien whose name is commemorated is Archbishop Cornelius O’Brien who worked valiantly and successfully to have Saint Mary’s re-established in 1903 after it had been closed for financial reasons in 1881.
April 28, 2018
Lá Gaeilge Halifax/Halifax Irish Language Day
March 2, 2018
January 27, 2018
November 9, 2017
Peaceful Schools International hosted General de Chastelain. De Chastelain gave a talk entitled Northern Ireland Peace Process, 1994-2017.
September 26, 2017
Genetic Insights into the Population of Ireland was presented by Dr. Gianpiero Cavalleri of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. This was a joint sponsored program by An Cumann and the Irish Studies Programme.
September 22, 2017
The Linguistics program hosted Dr. Stuart Dunmore of the School of Literature, Languages & Cultures, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. This was part of the LIPS Talk! series. His talk was entitled Bilingual life after school: Opportunity, choice and ideology among former Gaelic-medium students.
September 12, 2017
On Tuesday, September 12th, Jim Kelly, the Irish Ambassador to Canada, visited Saint Mary’s University. Ambassador Kelly (second to the right) is pictured with Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail, The Thomas D’Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies; Professor Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Advisor and a Senior Program Coordinator for the Northern Ireland Peace Education Program; Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice President Academic and Research; and Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President, Saint Mary’s University.
June 16, 2017
Two of our students - Joanna Feniyanos and Svetlana Negoda were in Ireland during June to attend the ICUF summer school. The two of them along with our language instructer, John Prendergast, attended the 2017 ICUF awards ceremony at An Cheathrú Rua, Galway on the 16th of June.
Pictured below, L-R: James Kelly (CEO ICUF), Joanna Feniyanos, Svetlana Negoda, John Prendergast, An tAire Stáit Seán Kyne (Former Minister of State of Gaeltacht Affairs).
May 17-19, 2017
At Spring 2017 Convocation, a number of Irish Studies students graduated. Brandon Callahan is pictured below with Pádraig Ó Siadhail, chairholder of the Thomas D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies. Brandon did a double major in Irish Studies and History (honours). He is a former ICUF Summer Scholarship recipient. Brandon plans to pursue a Masters in Divinity at Acadia University.
Bronson MacFarlane, this year's recipient of the Brian O'Brien Medal, is pictured below with Pádraig Ó Siadhail and Bridget Brownlow, Irish Studies instructor and senior organizer for the Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Project at Saint Mary's University. Bronson is the fifth student to receive this award, established in 2002 to recognize an exceptional student graduating in Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s University.
Dr. Brian O’Brien, a long time benefactor of the Chair of Irish Studies and a stalwart of the Irish community in Halifax, has generously donated the O’Brien Medal. In establishing the O’Brien Medal, Brian was reinstating a practice which ceased when the Irish Christian Brothers left Saint Mary’s in 1940. A medal had been awarded annually in Irish History at Saint Mary’s and for the last time 1938; the final recipient being Edmund Boyd. Edmund presented his medal to the Chair of Irish Studies archival collection and is currently on display.
The O’Brien Medal serves both to honour the achievement of a graduating student in Irish Studies and to memorialize the contributions of two O’Briens who have played pivotal roles in the history of Saint Mary’s. Rev. Richard Baptist O’Brien was the first President of Saint Mary’s when it acquired degree granting status in 1841. He served as president until he returned to Ireland in 1845. The other O’Brien whose name is commemorated is Archbishop Cornelius O’Brien who worked valiantly and successfully to have Saint Mary’s re-established in 1903 after it had been closed for financial reasons in 1881.
Bronson is a science student who majored in Biology and completed a minor in Irish Studies. He is also a former recipient of the ICUF Summer Scholarship.
Finally appearing with Pádraig Ó Siadhail is Sabih Abbasi. Sabih completed a dual degree in Science and Arts. In Science he majored in Geology. In Arts he majored in Asian Studies with a minor in Irish Studies. Besides learning Irish, he studied Scottish Gaelic as well.
We also congratulate Hannah Brown for her Irish Studies minor.
May 1, 2017
Photos: Svetlana Negoda (top left), Kelsey Everett (top right), and Joanna Feniyanos (bottom right)
Saint Mary’s University ICUF Irish-Language
Summer School Scholarship Recipients 2017
Three Saint Mary’s University Irish-language students will be heading off to study Irish in the Conamara Gaeltacht this summer. The students have received Ireland Canada University Foundation scholarships, funded by the Government of Ireland, to attend Irish-language immersion courses offered by the National University of Ireland, Galway, at NUIG’s campus, Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, in an Cheathrú Rua. The scholarships cover course tuition, accommodation and meals for the duration of their courses. In addition, the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research, Saint Mary’s University, is providing funding to support the students’ travel to Ireland. This is the eighth year that SMU students have received such scholarships to attend these language courses.
Joanna Feniyanos, a Science major, and Svetlana Negoda, a Commerce major, have completed two introductory-level Irish-language courses during 2016-17. They will attend a three-week course in Conamara in June, during which time they will live with an Irish-speaking family. Kelsey Everett, an Irish Studies major in the Faculty of Arts who has finished intermediate-level Irish-language courses at Saint Mary’s, is returning to Ireland having participated in the three-week course last summer. This time she will attend a higher-level four-week immersion course in July and August.
The SMU students are eagerly anticipating their time in Ireland. Joanna Feniyanos says that ‘Learning a language in Halifax is one thing, but to be immersed in the culture of the people who speak it is another. There is so much to learn and experience with the Irish language, which is why being able to study in Ireland would be incredibly helpful and eye-opening. This opportunity would not only increase my knowledge, but open my mind to a different way of life. I could not think of a better way to inspire and motivate students to appreciate the beauty of this language.’ Like Joanna, Kelsey Everett began her Saint Mary’s career as a Science student. Following her trip to Ireland she switched to Arts and declared Irish Studies as her degree major. Commenting on her experience last summer, Kelsey ‘thoroughly enjoyed the in-depth classes and the events that were organized for us. I believe being able to experience the culture is just as important as learning the language itself.’ Unlike her fellow scholarship recipients, Svetlana Negoda is looking to enhance her Commerce education. ‘When I joined Saint Mary’s University, I was thrilled about the opportunity to study the Irish language….With further knowledge of the Irish culture, I will be able to improve economic connections between Canada and Ireland. I believe this will be a great benefit to both countries.’
The Irish Studies programme at Saint Mary’s University wishes the ICUF Gaeltacht Scholarship 2017 recipients the best of luck as they head into summer and their trips to Ireland. We look forward to hearing their stories and seeing their photographs! Go n-éirí go seoigh leis an triúr mac léinn.
March 2017
What Should I Read? Proposing a Canon for Literature in Irish - the D'Arcy McGee Lecture 2017 - On March 3rd, Philip O’Leary, Professor of English at Boston College and a faculty member in Boston College’s Irish Studies Program was this years, is one of the foremost authorities on twentieth-century literature in Irish
November 2016
Healing Divided Societies: The Forum for Cities in Transition - This was a forum led by Padraig O'Malley on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. O'Malley holds the position John Joseph Moakley Chair for Peace and Reconciliation, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
August 2016
Irish Studies announces its newest ICUF member, John Prendergast, will be joining them this September. John Prendergast is delighted to be the ICUF Teagascóir Gaeilge at Saint Mary's University this year. John hails from the beautiful Tralee, Co. Kerry in Southwest Ireland. Having received a scholarship from the Government of Ireland in 2015, John is nearly completed an M.A. in Welsh and Celtic Studies from Cardiff University, Wales. John received his BCL (Law and Irish) undergraduate degree from University College Cork, Ireland. John's Master's dissertation focusses on linguistic justice and language rights, and his M.A. studies have drawn extensively from Canadian case studies and philosophy. John's research interests include applied sociolinguistics, language rights, and various aspects of Irish language literature such as poetry, drama and short stories.
John has previously taught Irish language university courses at the University of Montana and at Cardiff University, and is go huile agus go hiomlán ar bís [very excited] to be joining the Irish Department at SMU this year. Passion for the Irish language comes naturally to John, who has worked extensively on Irish language promotion in Ireland with various different organisations. While here on the ICUF scholarship, John hopes to learn as much about Nova Scotia as possible and spread Irish culture far and wide around Halifax. He is eager to play a bit of hurling and football with the Halifax Gaels (if they will have him!) and is excited to strengthen links between the Canadian and Irish communities in the province.
May 2016
Off to Irish-Language Summer School in Conamara
Three Saint Mary’s University students are heading off to Ireland in early June to participate in a three-week Irish language credit course at the National University of Ireland, Galway, campus in an Cheathrú Rua, Conamara. Kelsey Everett, Robyn Darrington-Chapman and Kegan Crawford are this year’s recipients of the Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Scholarships funded by the Government of Ireland, with additional support towards the students’ travel generously provided by the office of Dr. David Gauthier, Saint Mary’s University Vice-President, Academic and Research.
Kelsey is from Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and is currently studying forensic science at Saint Mary's University. She completed two introductory-level Irish language courses in the last academic year. She says that she “chose to study the Irish language initially because I needed an elective course and Irish sounded pretty interesting. I can say that after doing two Irish language classes I’m definitely going to continue with it.” She views the course in Galway as a great opportunity “to learn a lot more than I could from a classroom in Canada. There's no better place to study the Irish language than in Ireland. I've always wanted to go to another country, so that definitely helped too.” Apart from her time in Conamara, Kelsey is “really excited to see all the touristy places like the Cliffs of Moher and Newgrange. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the old castles!”
A native of Halifax, Robyn is a first year student doing a double major in Criminology and Political Science with her minor in Irish Studies. She plans to go to Law School once she has finished her degree at Saint Mary’s. She began studying Irish at SMU “because my interest in Gaelic led me to look into Irish culture as well.” Robyn sees her time at NUIG “ as a once in a lifetime opportunity to study a language in a native setting.” She is also looking forward to visiting historical sites around Ireland.
Like Robyn, Kegan began to study Irish because of his interest in Scottish Gaelic. Since then, he says, “I have become very fond of the entirety of the Gaelic world.” Kegan, who is from Westville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, is studying Linguistics and English as well as Irish and Scottish Gaelic at Saint Mary’s University. Asked about what he is looking forward to in Ireland beyond the language course, he says, “Oh! The hills! And the fields! And the waves of the sea! If I could I would want to see every inch of the Emerald Isle! But I am looking forward to seeing Connemara National Park and Newgrange. I'm mostly excited with climbing some hills though. I also figured it would be a good time to practice the old tin whistle as well while in Ireland; a nice and authentic experience.” Once he completes his studies at Saint Mary’s University, Kegan would like to go to grad school,” but as he says, “that’s a long ways off yet.”
April 2016
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail the 2016 winner of the Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award
On April 27th Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail was awarded the 2016 winner of the Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing. This is for his book Katherine Hughes: A Life and a Journey, Penumbra Press. Dr. Ó Siadhail was also actively involved with the Atlantic Book Award and Festival with a workshop and a reading.
Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising 2016 Centenary
This program was jointly presented by the Central Library, with the financial support of the Embassy of Ireland. Newsreels from 1916 where shown with music accompaniment from Cassie MacDonald. A presentation from Dr. Patrick Mannion of Memorial University on the reaction of Halifax towards the uprising.
Photo was provided by Pauline Murphy Sutow.
Photo was provided by Pauline Murphy Sutow.
October 2015
Heather Humphreys TD visits President Robert Summerby-Murray of Saint Mary's University.
On October 22nd, Heather Humphreys met with the university president and then had lunch with a number of the Irish professors and community members at the Old Triangle. She is currently the Minister of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht in Ireland.
Ireland's Professor of Poetry (2013-16), Paula Meehan speaks at Saint Mary's.
May 2015
Spring Convocation
Pictured above with Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail is Sarah Catherine Griffiths. Ms. Griffiths, who graduated at the 2015 Spring Convocation with Summa Cum Laude, was the recipient of the O’Brien Medal. She is the fourth to receive this award, established in 2002 to recognize an exceptional student graduating in Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s University.
The O’Brien Medal serves both to honour the achievement of a graduating student in Irish Studies and to memorialize the contributions of two O’Briens who have played pivotal roles in the history of Saint Mary’s. Rev. Richard Baptist O’Brien was the first President of Saint Mary’s when it acquired degree granting status in 1841. He served as president until he returned to Ireland in 1845. The other O’Brien whose name is commemorated is Archbishop Cornelius O’Brien who worked valiantly and successfully to have Saint Mary’s re-established in 1903 after it had been closed for financial reasons in 1881.
Dr. Brian O’Brien, a long time benefactor of the Chair of Irish Studies, one of the main figures in the Holy Cross Cemetery restoration project, and a stalwart of the Irish community in Halifax, has generously donated the O’Brien Medal. In establishing the O’Brien Medal, Brian was reinstating a practice which ceased when the Irish Christian Brothers left Saint Mary’s in 1940. A medal had been awarded annually in Irish History at Saint Mary’s and for the last time 1938; the final recipient being Edmund Boyd. Edmund presented his medal to the Chair of Irish Studies archival collection a number of years ago.
March 2015
CBC Radio Interview
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail did two interviews back to back regarding Katherine Hughes, the heroine of his book Katherine Hughes: A Life And A Journey. Click on the links below to listen to the interviews.
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail Interview on Katherine Hughes I
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail Interview on Katherine Hughes II
D'Arcy McGee Lecture
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St. Patrick's Day - Irish Studies Information Session
On March 17th, students taking Irish Studies courses were invited to lunch. This allowed them the opportunity to meet with other Irish Studies professors and the International Activities Project Manager Miyuki Arai. Information on the upcoming courses, studying abroad opportunities, and scholarships were available.
Cyril Byrne Memorial Lecture
January 2015
Facutly Author Series
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail spoke at one of the Faculty Author Series regarding his latest publication.
November 2014
Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail launched his book in Emerald and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
August 2014
The Irish Studies program is pleased to welcome this academic year's ICUF member Amy Mitchell. She was awarded a B.A. in Nua-Ghaeilge (Modern Irish) and English from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, in 2011. She is in the process of completing doctoral research in the Department of Modern Irish, NUI Maynooth, where she was awarded an internal scholarship in 2012. Her project examines representations of masculinity in the writing of the Irish-language poet Seán Ó Ríordáin. She has a keen interest in modern Irish-language literature, poetry in particular, gender, postcolonial and psychoanalytic theory.
As part of her graduate programme, she has been given many opportunities to teach both the Irish language and Irish-language literature to undergraduates in the Department of Modern Irish, as well as to international students taking courses at NUI Maynooth. She looks forward to continuing this work at Saint Mary's and in Halifax, to discussing the Irish language, and culture, with students and locals and to promoting the language and culture through active engagement with the student body and wider community and the organization of cultural events. She also look forward to learning more about Canada, Canadian culture and the links between Canada and Ireland.
Spring 2014
May 16 was a big day for many students. It was Saint Mary's University spring convocation. Lily Grace and Daniel Giesbrecht, Irish Studies graduates, were among the students who received their degrees that day. Pictured with them is Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail.
Photo: Dr. Colin Dodds, President, Saint Mary’ s University, presents Daniel Giesbrecht with the O’Brien Medal.
Daniel Giesbrecht, who has graduated with an Irish Studies major and History (Hons), has been awarded the O’Brien Medal. Daniel is the third recipient of the award, established in 2002 to recognize an exceptional student graduating in Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Other recipients of the Medal are Ron Beed (2002) and Sandra Murdock (2004).
The O’Brien Medal serves both to honour the achievement of a graduating student in Irish Studies and to memorialize the contributions of two O’Briens who have played pivotal roles in the history of Saint Mary’s. Rev. Richard Baptist O’Brien was the first President of Saint Mary’s when it acquired degree granting status in 1841. He served as president until he returned to Ireland in 1845. The other O’Brien whose name is commemorated is Archbishop Cornelius O’Brien who worked valiantly and successfully to have Saint Mary’s re-established in 1903 after it had been closed for financial reasons in 1881.
Dr. Brian O’Brien, a long time benefactor of the Chair of Irish Studies, one of the main figures in the Holy Cross Cemetery restoration project, and a stalwart of the Irish community in Halifax, has generously donated the O’Brien Medal. In establishing the O’Brien Medal, Brian was reinstating a practice which ceased when the Irish Christian Brothers left Saint Mary’s in 1940. A medal had been awarded annually in Irish History at Saint Mary’s and for the last time 1938; the final recipient being Edmund Boyd. Edmund presented his medal to the Chair of Irish Studies archival collection a number of years ago.
This spring Ireland Canada University Foundation (ICUF) offered three openings for the 2014 summer scholarships. This year's recipients are (left to right) Liam Tousignant-Ó Siadhail, Shawna Bowser, and Bronson MacFarlane.
Winter 2014
Beyond the Reel: The Irish Famine, Filmmakers and a Historian
This year Saint Mary's University was pleased to present the joint Donald Higgins Memorial Lecture and the D’Arcy McGee Lecture. Guest lecturer was Dr. Mark McGowan, author of Death or Canada: The Irish Famine Migration to Toronto, 1847. The book was turned into an Irish-Canada docudrama, which was nominated for a Gemini and IFTA award. Dr. McGowan gave an inside look at the filming of the docudrama in his talk Beyond the Reel: The Irish Famine, Filmmakers and a Historian.
A Poet and A Pint
Poetry reading was done for the months of February and March. Dr. Seán Kennedy lead out in these intimate readings at the Old Triangle downtown Halifax. This provided opportunity for informal discussion around Ireland, culture, and politics at the time the poetry was being written. These occurred every Tuesday night for those two month.
Second film night for the Irish Film Series
For a second night, Irish Studies has co-hosted along with the Centre for European Studies at Dalhousie University and the Canada Research Chair in Contemporary Film and Media Studies at Nova Scotia Centre of Art and Design University. This film was shown at the NSCAD Screening on February 2nd. There were two movies/documentaries shown this night.
- 12 Days in July is an insightful documentary about the 1997 crisis at Dumcree, Portadown. Director Margo Harkin and her team gained the trust of the otherwise media-shy participants, allowing for highly detailed and deeply personal reflection on the issues Northern Ireland faced and the challenges that still lay ahead.
- Sisters of the Lodge explores the ceremonies and traditions of the women behind the Orange Order. Allowed unprecedented access to this secretive order, filmmaker Alison Millar has made an intimate documentary allows these women an opportunity to voice their concerns, fears, and aspirations for their organization.
Did you know that you could surf in Ireland?
Waveriders - 1st film night for the Irish Film Series
This is the second year that Irish Studies has co-hosted an Irish Film Series with the Centre for European Studies at Dalhousie University and the Canada Research Chair in Contemporary Film and Media Studies at Nova Scotia Centre of Art and Design University. This film was shown at the NSCAD Screening on February 2nd.
Waveriders is the story of Ireland’s connection to surfing from its reinvention in Hawaii in the early 20th century to the rapid growth of big wave surfing in Ireland today.
Featuring renowned Irish, British and American surfers – Richie Fitzgerald, Gabe Davies, Kelly Slater and the Malloy brothers, the film is the realisation of a long term ambition by Dublin based Joel who teamed up Derry Producer Margo Harkin to make a cross border production on the spectacular nature of surfing in Ireland.
Fall 2013
Dr. Liam Ó hAisibéil joins Irish Studies for the academic year.
Dr. Ó hAisibéil is the 2013 ICUF member. He will be with the Irish Studies program until spring 2014. He will be working with the Irish language students.
Spring 2013
Irish Film Series
Three Halifax universities collaborated to bring the work of celebreated Irish filmmaker Pat Collins to town. Dalhousie, Saint Mary's Uuniversity and Nova Scotia College of Art and Design staged three Sunday-evening screenings over the course of March, April and May.
In March, they featured Silence (2012). Pat Collins’ lush debut feature film is about an Irish sound recordist living in Berlin, who returns to his homeland to traverse the woolly, windswept landscape, further and further away from civilisation.
In April, they featured two of Pat Collins' documentaries: Oileán Thoraí: a documentary on Tory Island (2002) and Tim Robinson: Connemara (2011). Two documentaries, one which intimately captures the life of Ireland’s most remote island communities, and the other which provides a visual interpretation of the work of Tim Robinson, Ireland’s most celebrated map maker.
In May, they featured two of Pat Collin's short documentaries: Abbas Kiarostmi: The Art of Living (2001) and Taibhsí i mBéal na Gaoithe: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill (2008). These documentaries were about the celebrated Irish-language poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and the celebrated Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami (who we encounter here on the Aran Islands).
March 15, 2013
The Cyril Byrne Memorial Lecture - David Adams Richards
This year the Cyril Byrne Memorial Lecture was pleased to present David Adams Richards. He revisited his classic 1976 novel and read from sections that have never before been heard in public.
September 2012
2012 ICUF Member – Sean Ó Ruairc
Sean O Ruairc has a First Class Honours BA in History and Irish from University College Dublin (UCD) and has a First Class Honors MA in Irish from UCD also, where he was on a full scholarship. He has been teaching in a Gaelscoil Secondary School in Dublin for the past year, while at the same time completing an MA in 20th century Irish History. Sean has received two Awards from the National University of Ireland for his Undergraduate Results in Irish. He also has taught in numerous Irish Language Summer Schools over the past 8 years.
August 18, 2012
Saint Mary's University Students Complete Emmersion Program
on August 13th in An Cheathrú Rua in Galway, an unprecedented 13 Canadian scholars of the Irish Language were awarded scholarships in an event that was attended by the Minister for State for the Gaeltacht, the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, the Vice President of the National University of Ireland, Galway and Professor John Kelly, our Executive Director. Jeff Woods (top) and Alexander Berry (bottom) represented Saint Mary's University.
October 24, 2011
Power and Politics: an Irish Senator's Perspective
An Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the Irish Senate gave a free public lecture on the Irish Senate where he outlined the constitutional position of Seanad Éireann, the election process to the Seanad, and describe the powers of the Seanad. Then later in the afternoon, he met with students from the intermediate level of the Irish Language.
September 2011
Two new ICUF members join Irish Studies for the 2011/2012 academic year.
Dr. Regina Uí Chollatáin, Senior Scholar, and Caitríona Ní Chonchúir, Language Assitant, are joining the Irish Studies Programme at Saint Mary’s University for the academic year 2011-2012. Dr. Uí Chollatáin is the Director of the UCD de Bhaldraithe Centre for Irish Language Scholarship, and a lecturer in Modern Irish in the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics. Her main areas of published research in both Irish and English include, print and broadcast Irish language media, the Revival period, and modern Irish literature and criticism. Caitríona Ní Chonchúir, a native of Cork, is a primary school Vice Principal in a Gaelscoil in Cork city.
June 2011
Irish Language Scholarship
Daniel Giesbrecht will be attending a month long language course in western Ireland this summer. A second year student at Saint Mary's, Daniel has been studying Irish Gaelic as part of his Irish Studies Major. A generous financial award from the Ireland Canada University Foundation will cover tuition and accommodation costs for the duration of the programme, which is run by the National University of Ireland, Galway. Bursaries from SMU will cover the bulk of travel costs. “There is no better way to improve fluency in a language than through immersion. I'm really looking forward to experiencing life in a Gaeltacht region where Irish is still widely spoken by the majority of the population. I'm thankful for this opportunity. "
Daniel playing Bocce in his hometown of Gibsons, BritishColumbia - June, 2011.
Photo submitted by Daniel Giesbrecht
May 20, 2011
Convocation
Three Irish Studies majors at the 2011 Spring Convocation are being congratulated by Pádraig Ó Siadhail, D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies. Starting from the left is Georgia Marie Maracle of Tyendinaga, Ontario; Kathleen E. Hill of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and in back is Zachary J. Reid of Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
Photo provided by Kathleen Hill
May 19, 2011
Dinner with Ray Bassett, Ireland's Ambassador to Canada - Holy Cross Cemetery Trust
Bridget Brownlow, Program Coordinator for The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Project at Saint Mary's University and Sailí Ní Dhroighneáin, 2010/2011 ICUF Irish Language Teaching Assistant both attended the Charitable Irish Society Dinner. Sailí sung the Irish anthem and then led the guest in the Canadian anthem.
May 17, 2011
Ambassador from Ireland to Canada visits Saint Mary's University
The Irish Ambassador to Canada, Ray Bassett (far right) visits with representatives from the local Irish Community. Pádraig Ó Siadhail, D'Arcy McGee Chair of Irish Studies; Bridget Brownlow, Program Coordinator for The Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Project at Saint Mary's University; Sailí Ní Dhroighneáin, 2010/2011 ICUF Irish Language Teaching Assistant; Brian Doherty, of the Charitable Irish Society of Halifax; and Helen Ferguson, Cultural Consultant.
March 17, 2011
The Charitable Irish Society Dinner - Celebrating 225 Years
These photos were taken by Nicole Luttrell.
March 11, 2011
The D'Arcy McGee Lecture
James Smith of Boston College spoke on his research into the Irish Magdalen landries. A good crowd of 50 people came to hear him. Mr. Smith discussed his research and responses from both the state and the church. For more information on his book, go to: http://undpress.nd.edu/book/P01180.
February 11, 2011
The Cyril J. Byrne Memorial Lecture
The 2011 guest speaker for the Cyril Byrne Memorial Lecture was the acclaimed Irish novelist, Anne Enright. The former RTÉ television producer is author of The Wig My Father Woreand The Gathering(Man Booker Prize for fiction). Enright has a new book due out in April of this year. It was a great opportunity for her to introduce The Forgotten Waltz. Enright has been on tour in North America, visiting cities like New York and Boston. Saint Mary's was excited to be included on her tour.
Guest speaker, Anne Enright refers to her notes during the talk.