The main purpose of the Irish Studies Centre at London Metropolitan University is the promotion of Irish Studies through teaching, research, documentation and community liaison.

Founded by Professor Mary Hickman in 1986, the Irish Studies Centre is based in the Institute for the Study of European Transformations and aims to increase the understanding and appreciation of the Irish contribution to all aspects of economic, cultural, political and social life.

As well as teaching and research, it achieves this through a number of other activities including an annual Cultural Programme, its holding of the Archive of the Irish in Britain, its publications and its international links with Irish academics, researchers and politicians.

http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/irishstudiescentre/irishstudiescentre_home.cfm

Our nearest centre for Irish Studies is The Institute of Irish Studies at Liverpool University



Institute of Irish Studies
1 Abercromby Square
University of Liverpool
L69 7WY

www.liv.ac.uk/irish

2006 was the centenary of the death of Michael Davitt, one of the great figures in Irish history.
For details of individual events that took place in the Spring of that year visit http://www.ihihc.co.uk/

President Mary McAleese visited Haslingden over the Easter weekend to unveil a plaque and attend an exhibition in honour of Michael Davitt.

The May 2006 issue of Irish Studies Review is well worth looking at. It is dedicated to the concept of 'Irishness in Britain'. There is an introductory thematic overview by guest editor Aidan Arrowsmith from Metropolitan University, Manchester which introduces the other articles, all of which deal with aspects of the 'otherness' of the Irish, seen as threatening in England since the time of Geraldus Cambrensis.

Margot Ryan of the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill has provided us with details of an excellent initiative aimed at raising the profile of Irish culture in Manchester schools:

The Irish Centre provides educational resources and facilities for schools who may wish to bring their students for a day trip to the Irish World Heritage Centre. They also offer pre and post visit support to schools. A school visit consists of a number of sessions and workshops, with lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day. The sessions include:

• an info-hunt around the building to allow the children an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the building as opposed to giving them a traditional guided tour.
• an object appreciation workshop where the children get the chance to handle some of the artefacts from the Irish Centre's collection and begin to ask themselves questions about them.
• artists and musicians provide workshops on Irish themed art and traditional Irish music.

By the end of their visit, the children will have produced either a piece of art inspired by Irish heritage or a tune on the tin whistle. The Irish Centre has had visits from over 20 schools in Manchester and would love to hear from schools that have not yet visited. Some of their recent funding has been provided to help them encourage both Catholic and non-Catholic schools to visit the centre.

For further information please email mryan@iwhc.com or phone 0161 202 1200.

• Christine Kinealy, a Professor of History at the University of Central Lancashire and Drew University, USA. She has written on Irish history, specialising in the history of the Famine.


• Eileen Murphy, a playwright and theatre director. Her work includes two plays on the Manchester Martyrs.


• Bernie Murphy, a singer from Manchester who is active in campaigns in support of asylum seekers.


• Michael Herbert, the author of The Wearing of the Green: a Political History of the Irish in Manchester.


• Tristram Hunt, a lecturer in history at Queen Mary, University of London. He recently presented a TV series on Protestantism and is writing a biography of Frederick Engels.


• Roger Swift, a Professor of History who has written extensively on the Irish in Britain.

The Manchester Irish Education Group held four talks in October 2008:

Thursday 2nd October:
'Cuchulainn's battle with Ferdiad: Irish myth, romance and nationalism'
Speaker: Stuart Rutten

Thursday 9th October:
'Countess Markievicz: A Woman of Conscience'
Speaker: Katherine McLoughlin

Thursday 16th October
'The Irish in Manchester: Reflections on St Patrick's Parish Collyhurst'
Speaker: Michael Sheehan

Thursday 23rd October
'How traditional is Irish Traditional Music?' (With contributions from invited singers and musicians)
Speaker: Judith Flynn

For more details on Manchester Irish Education Group activities contact Pat Hoswell on 0161 368 6185 or email joemanchester@hotmail.co.uk.

Diary Date

The Manchester Irish Education Group are holding their annual one day conference at the Town Hall on Saturday 7th March 2009.

The speakers will be: Jim Hunter, Maria Luddy, Geraldine O'Malley Hammersley, Brian Ryan, and Yvonne Weldon.