32nd Annual Meeting of the American Conference for Irish Studies
The American Conference for Irish Studies that the University of Montana will host October 21 – 22. It has become a bit more than a conference, however, as the Irish Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Anne Anderson, will attend and address the conference, as will the Governor of Montana, Steve Bullock. The theme of the conference, Her Exile Children: Ireland and Irish America,” looks at the role the Irish of America played in the struggle for Irish freedom. It’s clear that by the 1880s the British government and the Irish nationalists recognized that the fate of Ireland would be decided in America. It’s also clear that the British government saw the spectre of the American revolution hanging over the objective to create in Ireland a republic similar to what the Irish found in the United States. This threatened the very existence of the empire itself and scared the daylights out of London!
The conference strives to locate the examination and study of Irish history, culture, and politics within the context of the Diaspora, the Irish who had emigrated and settled through the world but who retained a deep and committed concern for the welfare of their homeland. This should be a very exciting and interesting event and we have a great panel of speaker and scholars lined up to share their thoughts with you.
Along with the academic content we also have a large number of cultural activities, such as:
1. A Trip and Tour of Anaconda and Butte
2. A Hurling Tournament
3. A showing of a documentary film on Butte
4. A dramatic presentation relating to 1916.
Info: [email protected]
