Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary field of research devoted to the study of Ireland, History of Ireland. Geography of Ireland, Culture of Ireland, Literature of Ireland, Art of Ireland, Languages of Ireland, Politics of the Republic of Ireland, Politics of Northern Ireland and Irish people in Ireland and elsewhere. It is sometimes subsumed within the category of Celtic studies and European studies.
In 2018, the Irish government launched a Global Ireland initiative which was designed to promote all aspects of Ireland, including culture, diplomacy and business, internationally. [1] This supplemented the Culture Ireland initiative which was established in 2005. [2]
There are a number of academic centres devoted to research and teaching in Irish Studies throughout the world.
Each of the universities in Ireland has particular expertise in aspects of Irish studies.
From the 16th century onwards a chain of Irish Colleges was established across Europe for the education of Irish Catholic priests and laity. The earliest of these was in Lisbon and over 30 more colleges followed. [3] With the opening up of higher education in Ireland, these colleges closed but remnants include St Anthony's College, Leuven and the Irish College in Paris. [4] [5]
There is continuing interest in Irish studies across Europe reflecting the long engagement of Ireland with the continent. [6] [7]
With the history of Irish emigration to North America, it is not surprising that there are a number of centers of Irish Studies there. [11]
In the United States there are several centers, especially in the north-east.
In Canada there are several centres of Irish Studies including:
There is also interest in Irish studies in South America. [15]
Again, as a result of emigration to Australia and New Zealand there is considerable interest in Irish studies there. [17] [18]
In Asia, there is growing interest in Irish studies.
There are a number of journals devoted to publishing the results of research in Irish Studies. [23] These include:
There are several book series devoted to aspects of Irish studies. These include:
Several organizations have been established in various countries to promote research and collaboration in Irish Studies. [29] There is the European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies, British Association of Irish Studies, the American Conference for Irish Studies, the Canadian Association for Irish Studies, the French Society for Irish Studies, the Nordic Irish Studies Network, the Spanish Association for Irish Studies, the Society for Irish Latin American Studies, the Brazilian Association of Irish Studies and the Irish Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand.
Internationally, there is the International Association for the Study of Irish Literature and the Society for the Study of Nineteenth-Century Ireland.
In Ireland, there are many relevant organizations including the Irish Women's Writing Network and the Labour History Society.
Goldsmiths, University of London, legally the Goldsmiths' College, is a constituent research university of the University of London. It was originally founded in 1891 as The Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in New Cross, London. It was renamed Goldsmiths' College after being acquired by the University of London in 1904, and specialises in the arts, design, computing, humanities and social sciences. The main building on campus, known as the Richard Hoggart Building, was originally opened in 1844 and is the site of the former Royal Naval School.
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