Thomas D’Arcy McGee was born in Carlingford, Co. Louth, Ireland on April 13th 1825 and at seventeen he emigrated to the United States. He returned to Ireland as a successful nationalist, journalist and enthusiastically supported the 1848 Young Ireland rebellion. He escaped to Philadelphia as ‘a traitor to the British Government’. Over the following years McGee moved to Canada and to the right of the political spectrum. He became one of the founding fathers of the Canadian Confederation, but was assassinated on April 7th 1868.

The inaugural Thomas D’Arcy McGee International Summer School will take place in Carlingford, 20-22 August.

For detailed information, including application forms etc., please click here.

For any further information please contact Tommy Fegan at tommyfegan(at)gmail.com

Our web hosting company assures us that most, if not all, emails sent to ICUF during this time should have come through during the course of the evening / night after the issue was resolved, and indeed a backlog of emails did come in during this period.

Did you email ICUF during this period?

As well as receiving an automatic response from the scholarships@icuf.ie email, all applicants received email confirming receipt of emails received from Amanda Hopkins.

If you submitted an application during this period, but did not receive an email from Amanda Hopkins, you are requested to email us at scholarships@icuf.ie to get in touch, to ensure your application has been received.

Pictured, (left to right): Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Professor Bo Cui, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, His Excellency Loyola Hearn, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Professor John Kelly, Executive Director, ICUF

In a meeting  hosted by Dr. Patrick Prendegast, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Loyola Hearn, presented Prof. Bio Cui with his Dobbin Scholarship award.

Professor Bo Cui is with the University of Waterloo, and his research in Ireland is being conducted in the Crann Institute in Trinity College, where he is investigating the fabrication of magnetic nanostructure in (CoFe)/Pt multilayer stacks for the study of magnetic noise.

“Bringing the Celtic Languages to America’s Heartland”

The conference will be held May 30-June 2, 2012 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

WHO is invited to present?

NAACLT includes but is not limited to academic professionals. People involved in Celtic language learning and teaching from every walk of life are invited to participate, including:

• Community-based language teachers
• Celtic language enthusiasts
• Celtic language policy makers
• Celtic-language musicians.

NAACLT is now accepting abstracts for twenty-minute talks in any of the following (or related) areas:

• Methods, techniques, and best practices in teaching Celtic languages
• Incorporating Celtic cultures into the classroom or learning experience
• Application of computer technology to Celtic language teaching or research
• Pedagogical materials: what works, what doesn’t
• Topics in Celtic linguistics, sociolinguistics, and Second Language Acquisition
• Language policy and planning in the Celtic world
• Promotion or appreciation of Celtic languages and cultures

Deadline for abstracts of between 200-300 words to be sent to Kevin Scannell (kscanne at gmail.com)  is  April 15, 2012. NAACLT offer a $100 scholarship for financial assistance to partially offset the cost of attending the conference. Information on this and on accommodations and conference registration is available on the NAACLT web site.

The theme for 2012 is: “Canada: Landscapes and Landmarks”

Confirmed plenary speakers are:

Professor David A. Wilson, University of Toronto: 
The Narrow Ground and the Northern Land: Thomas D’Arcy McGee and the Fight against Fenianism

Professor Stephen A. Royle, Queen’s University, Belfast: 
Canada: Islands, landscapes and landmarks

Professor Jane Moss, Duke University: 
Memorializing an Imagined Past: Evangeline and the Acadian Deportation

For information on registration, the venue and a draft programme please visit the conference page – click here

For further enquiries please contact ACSI2012@yahoo.ie

Initiated in 2009, the Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Programme, with funding from the National Lottery and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, provides a number of scholarly awards each year to support the teaching of the Irish language in certain Canadian Universities.

Cliceáil anseo le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais / Click here for further information.

Canada: Landscapes and Landmarks
Dublin, 10-12 May 2012

ACSI (Association for Canadian Studies in Ireland) will host the XVIth Biennial Conference in Dublin on 10-12 May 2012. The theme for 2012 is: “Canada: Landscapes and Landmarks”
 
The image of the ‘land’ is an ongoing trope in both past and contemporary conceptions of Canada, from the national anthem, to the flag, to the symbols on coins, the land and nature remain linked to the Canadian sense of belonging as well as to the image of the nation abroad. Linguistic landscapes reflect the multi-faceted identities and cultural richness of the nations. If earlier portrayals of the land focused on a rugged, unspoiled landscape, such as in the paintings of the Group of Seven, contemporary  notions of identity, belonging and citizenship are established, contested and legitimized within sites and institutions of public culture, heritage and representation that reflect integration with the land transforming landscape into landmarks. The Highway of Heroes from the Trenton military base, Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site in Québec, the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, The Rooms in St John’s Newfoundland and Ireland Park in Toronto, are examples of landmarks that transform landscape into a built environment that endeavours to respect the land while using it as a site to commemorate, celebrate and promote Canadian identity. Similarly, in literature and the arts, the creation of the built environment and the interaction among those who share it is a recurrent theme.
 
We are seeking papers that consider the portrayal and interaction of the land and the landscape in social, cultural and literary spaces of representation. Possible topics could include (in French or English):

The land and landscape in the arts and literature
Linguistic and cultural landscapes within the official bilingualism of Canada
Spaces of memory and testimony
State museums/institutions and representations of citizenship, identity and belonging
Political management of the land and landscape
The transformation of the built environment and of public spaces
History, geography, heritage and the land and landscape
Public spaces as sites of difference and diversity
Diaspora, migrations, uprooting and ‘heritage’

Abstracts

Abstracts should be submitted before the 30th of November 2011 as a .doc or .rtf file to:ACSI2012@yahoo.ie
Abstracts should be no longer than 2 pages. On the first page note the name of your proposed paper, name, contact details and affiliated organisation; on the second page the title of your paper along with your anonymous abstract, 4 or 5 key words and cited references. The abstract should be no longer than 200 words.
We welcome submissions in French or English. Abstracts should be written in the intended language of the paper. Presentations will be allocated 30 minutes (20 minutes followed by 10 minutes for questions).
Proposals will be anonymously evaluated by at least two members of the scientific committee.

Professor Maeve Conrick
President

Caitriona Ni Chasaide
Secretary

Our host, Ambassador Hearn, guest speakers Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, the Honorable Noel Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, with Seán Ó Leidhinn, Department of the Gaeltacht, 2011 Dobbin Scholars, 2011 Irish Language Scholars, ICUF Chairman, Prof. Seamus Smyth and ICUF Executive Director, Prof. John Kelly

The 2011 Dobbin and Irish Language awards took place in the Residence of Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Loyola Hearn. It was a wonderful occasion, and we are deeply grateful to Ambassador and Mrs. Hearn, Maria O’Reilly and all the staff at the Embassy and Residence who made this such great occasion.

It was our great honour to have Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and the Honourable Noel Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, as our guest speakers.

To view Speaker Kinsella’s speech click on the frame below;

Speaker Kinsella, feeling some droplets of rain, tabled his speech. In this speech, he spoke of ICUF’s founding chairman Craig Dobbin, and current Chariman Mark Dobbin. He also spoke fondly of his time studying in Ireland, how in Canada they anticipate an “ever greater collaboration with our Irish counterparts; continuing our close, natural relationship of mutual respect and cooperation” His  entire speech can be read here.

Speaker Kinsella presenting Dobbin Scholar Niall Murray with his award

Speaker Kinsella awarded the following scholars;

Irish Dobbin Scholars:

Mary Halton, University College Dublin, AGF International scholar (in absentia)
Kelsey McEvoy, Athlone Institute of Technology, Atlantic Corridor Scholar
Niall Murray, Athlone Institute of Technology, Atlantic Corridor Scholar
Áine McElhinney, University College Dublin, CHC (Ireland) Ltd
Natasa Paterson, Trinity College Dublin, CRH plc Scholar
Malcolm Byrne, Queen’s University Belfast & Institute of Public Administration, Craig C Dobbin Scholar

Canadian Dobbin Scholars (awarded in absentia)

Kelly O’Brien, University of Toronto, Elaine Dobbin Scholar
Bo Cui, University of Waterloo, Professor Waters Scholar
Ryan Gibson, Memorial University, Mark Dobbin Scholar
Agnieszka Kurek, Carleton University, Sprott Foundation Scholar

Speaker Kinsella’s speech, and the presentation of Dobbin scholarships was following by a speech by An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore. Tánaiste Gilmore’s speech can be viewed here;

Following the example of Speaker Kinsella, with an eye to the gathering clouds, Tánaiste Gilmore abridged his speech somewhat, and the entirety can be read here.

The 2011 Irish Language Scholars with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Sean Ó Leidhinn (an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta), with Prof. John Kelly, Prof. Seamus Smyth and James Kelly of ICUF.

An Tánaiste awarded the following scholars, whose scholarship is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (destination university listed);

Senior Visiting Scholar

Regina Uí Chollatáin, St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Junior Visiting Scholars

Críostóir Ó hUlgín, St. Thomas University, New Brunswick
Aoife Ní Ríordáin, Concordia University, Montreal
Daithí Ó Ceallacháin, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto
Catríona Ní Conchúir, St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Muireann Ní Chíobháin, Memorial University, Newfoundland
Darren Ó Dochartaigh, St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia

Awards made to the following Canadian Irish Language Scholars were also acknowledged;

Jenna Hartigan, Memorial University
Daniel Bull, St. Thomas University
Daniel Giesbrecht, St. Mary’s University
Tara Haveling, Concordia
Patrick John Treacy, University of Toronto
Veronica Troy, St. Francis Xavier University

As is customary, the formal presentation of awards was followed by a relaxed reception, where scholars and guests had the opportunity to mingle. Amongst our esteemed guests were his Eminence Cardinal Sean Brady, pictured below with Prof Philip Nolan (President, NUIM), Una Phillips, Michael Phillips (former Canadian Ambassador), Prof Seamus Smyth and Rosemary Smyth.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, was also a guest, pictured below with Ambassaor Hearn and Darren Ó Dochartaigh, Irish Language Scholar who will working in St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish over the coming year.

Further pictures of the awards ceremony can be viewed by clicking here.

In our 2011 awards ceremony we were honoured to have as our guest speaker An Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore. With rain threatening (but never arriving!), Tánaiste Gilmore followed the example of his predecessor on the podium, The Honorable Noel Kinsella, and shortened his speech. To view the speech he delivered, click on the frame below;

The text the entirety of his speech is below.

***

Speech of the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore
Dublin, Ireland August 29, 2011
Annual Award Ceremony
Ireland Canada University Foundation

I am delighted to be here today in Ranelagh at the Canadian Embassy for the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Ireland Canada University Foundation. I would like at the outset to thank Ambassador Hearn for hosting the event in this historical residence, the former home of the family of Padraig and Willie Pearce.

I would also wish to acknowledge the presence here today of the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, the Honourable Noel Kinsella as well as Senators Furey, Murray and MacDonald.

I know that the Speaker is very proud of his Irish ancestry and of his time as a student in University College Dublin. I understand that Speaker Kinsella is a strong proponent of the value of international student exchanges and draws on his own experience in Dublin to support that view.

I am delighted that the Speaker and the Senate delegation will have the opportunity of meeting with Minister Ruarí Quinn later in their visit to see how further student exchanges between Ireland and Canada can be encouraged.
Like Speaker Kinsella, I have always been a firm believer in the value of international student exchanges and I want to take this opportunity to publicly express my support to Professor John Kelly and the Ireland Canada Foundation for the valuable work they have undertaken in this regard. Therefore, I was delighted to be able to give concrete and practical expression to my support when I agreed to provide €40,000 towards the operation of the Foundation from the Emigrant Support Fund in my Department.

I understand that the Foundation have hopes that the Canadian Government, through the Minister for Finance, Jim Flaherty, who spent his holidays this year in Ireland, will be in a position to provide matching funds. It is a difficult time to extract money from a Minister for Finance so I wish the Foundation every success in that regard.
I also would like to use this occasion to mention the contribution of the former Irish Honorary Consul in Newfoundland, the late Craig Dobbin, to the establishment of the Foundation. Craig Dobbin was a true friend of Ireland and of course was the first Chair of the Foundation, along with Dr. Patrick Hillery.

The Dobbin research scholarships are not only a wonderful opportunity for the individuals who benefit from them, but are also an excellent way to create and nurture linkages between Irish and Canadian universities. Likewise the Visiting Scholar programme provides great support to those Canadian institutions offering Irish language classes. There are now six Canadian universities with Chairs of Irish or Celtic Studies, and interest in the field has never been stronger.

However, the centre of attention today should be focused on the recipients of today’s Awards; those who will be receiving the scholarships, namely the scholars themselves.

It is an exciting time for you and your families. You are about to embark on a new experience which I have no doubt will greatly enrich you. You will establish new friendships and contacts which will last the rest of your lives. I would like to wish you every success during your time abroad and indeed with your subsequent careers.
Finally I would also like to sincerely thank the Canadian Government for providing an opportunity for so many young Irish people to live and work in Canada. During the difficult economic times in Ireland recently, the Canadian Government greatly expanded its working holiday programme and eased some of its requirements. Many thousands of Irish people benefitted from those changes and are now enjoying a warm welcome in Canada, as so many others have before them. These academic and cultural exchanges ensure that the close ties between Ireland and Canada will only grow stronger in the future.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

An Dr. Regina Uí Chollatáin agus an Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore

Is cúis mhór áthais dúinn a fhógairt gurb í an Dochtúir Regina Uí Chollatáin an tOllamh Cuairte don bhliain acadúil 2011 – 2012 i St. Mary’s University, Halifax faoi Chlár Gaeilge Fondúireacht Ollscoil Éireann Ceanada atá á mhaoiniú ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta.

Deir an Dochtúir Padraig Ó Siadhail, St Mary’s University:

“Is mór an onóir dúinn i gClár an Léinn Éireannaigh i Saint Mary’s University go mbeidh an Dochtúir Regina Uí Chollatáin inár dteannta don bhliain acadúil 2011-12 mar Ollamh Cuairte faoin Chlár Gaeilge atá á mhaoiniú ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta is atá á riar ag Fondúireacht Ollscoil Éireann Cheanada (ICUF). Deis iontach é an ceapachán seo a ligfidh dár gcuid mac léinn a bheith ag obair le scoláire sinsearach i léann na Gaeilge. Ceapachán tábhachtach é fosta a ardóidh go mór próifíl na Gaeilge is seasamh chultúr na hÉireann sa phobal taobh amuigh den ollscoil.”

Rugadh agus tógadh Regina Uí Chollatáin i nDún na nGall agus tá sí ina cónaí i Laois faoi láthair. Is í an Stiúrthóir ar Lárionad de Bhaldraithe do Léann na Gaeilge, COBÁC í, agus is léachtóir le Gaeilge í i Scoil na Gaeilge, an Léinn Cheiltigh, Bhéaloideas Éireann agus na Teangeolaíochta, COBÁC. Is iad na príomhréimsí taighde agus ábhar foilsithe aici ná, meáin chló agus chraolta na Gaeilge, ré na hAthbheochana, mar aon le nualitríocht agus critic na Gaeilge. Is iad na leabhair atá foilsithe aici ná An Claidheamh Soluis agus Fáinne an Lae 1899-1932 mar aon le clár iomlán an nuachtáin ar dhlúthdhiosca (Cois Life, 2004), Iriseoirí Pinn na Gaeilge (Cois Life, 2008), agus P.H. Pearse: Life and After-Life. Pádraic Mac Piarais: Saol agus Oidhreacht (Comh-eagarthóir, Irish Academic Press, 2009). Tá ailt foilsithe aici in irisí éagsúla acadúla agus in irisí eile chomh maith. Tá cainteanna tugtha aici ag comhdhálacha náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta. Glacann sí páirt rialta i gcláracha sna meáin Ghaeilge a chlúdaíonn ábhair éagsúla idir chúrsaí reatha agus chúrsaí litríochta, agus is ball í de Bhord TG4. Díríonn an taighde is déanaí da cuid,’”Scéal na nGael”. Athláithriú phobal na Gaeilge sna meán chló agus ar líne’, ar thionchar na meán Gaeilge ar phobal náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta na Gaeilge, ó fhréamhacha tosaigh na gcleachtaí traidisiúnta scríbhneoireachta, anuas go fóram iriseoireacht na Gaeilge san aonú haois is fiche. Díreoidh sí ar an taighde seo mar Ollamh Chuairte sa Ghaeilge i Roinn na Gaeilge, St Mary’s University, Halifax, mar chuid dá ceapachán ag Fondúireacht Ollscoil Éireann-Cheanada 2011-2012.

*******

The Ireland Canada University Foundation is very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Regina Uí Chollatáin to the position of Senior Visiting Scholar, to St. Mary’s University in Halifax, under the ICUF Irish Language Programme, which is supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Dr Regina Uí Chollatáin, a native of Donegal and now living in Laois, 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. She has published widely in academic and other journals, and her books include An Claidheamh Soluis agus Fáinne an Lae 1899-1932 along with digitised index (Cois Life 2004), Iriseoirí Pinn na Gaeilge (Cois Life, 2008), and P.H. Pearse: Life and After-Life. Pádraic Mac Piarais: Saol agus Oidhreacht (co-editor, Irish Academic Press, 2009). She has also given lectures at national and international conferences and events. She participates regularly in Irish language media programmes in many areas from current affairs to literature, and she is a member of Bord TG4. In her appointment by the Ireland-Canada University Foundation as Visiting Irish Language Professor in St Mary’s University, Halifax, she will focus on her most recent research, ‘”Scéal na nGael”. The representation of the Irish language community in print and online media’. This research examines the impact of Irish language print and online media on the Irish language national and international community, from its roots in traditional writing practices, to the present day twenty-first century journalistic platform.