Want to know more about being from a New York Irish family? This year, Glucksman Ireland House’s theme for University day is “Who Do We Think We Are? The Irish Family.” Pretty much anything run by Glucksman Ireland House is going to educate and entertain and this day long symposium promises to be no different. Among the participants are writer Colm Tóibín, who will read from his recent collection of short stories, The Empty Family. President of the Betty Ford Institute Dr. Garrett O’Connor, delivers the keynote lecture “Resilience, Shame, Alcohol and Survival: The Tragic and Triumphant Alchemy of Irish Cultural History” exploring the Irish relationship to alcohol in a historical context.
Glucksman Ireland House faculty members Professor Linda Dowling Almeida, Professor Marion Casey (who spoke in our very first podcast about the exciting exhibit The Ties That Bind, at NYPL of Performing Arts through August) and Professor Miriam Nyhan speak on the Oral History of Irish America project and what is revealed about the family.
Writers Pete Hamill and Peter Quinn discuss immigrant parents and their American children, and Patricia Harty, editor of Irish America magazine, talks to actress Fionnula Flanagan (The Others, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Some Mother’s Son) about Ireland and Irish America. Ms. Flanagan also appears in the film Kill the Irishman, which we reviewed here! and she’s also on this week’s podcast! (which should be up very soon!)
Tickets are at SmartTix.com, 212-868-444; there are discounts for members of Glucksman Ireland House, call 212-998-3950 or email Glucksman Ireland House. I’m guessing tickets are available at the door as well…
Full schedule after the break!
New York: Irish America via NYC, via NYU’s amazing resource
Irish: to the bone…
“Who Do We Think We Are? The Irish Family” Program
8:45am Registration and check-in
at the Silverstein Lounge in NYU’s Silver Building
100 Washington Square E, New York, NY 10003 | See Map >>
Coffee and tea available
9:20am Welcoming remarks
Judith McGuire, President, Glucksman Ireland House Advisory Board
9:30am Session 1: The Empty Family
Colm Tóibín reads from his 2010 short story collection The Empty Family and discusses the family in contemporary Irish literature.
Introduction: Prof. John Waters, Director of Studies, Glucksman Ireland House
10:30am Coffee/tea break
11:00am Session 2: Keynote Address: “Resilience, Shame, Alcohol and Survival: The Tragic and Triumphant Alchemy or Irish Cultural History.”
Dr. Garrett O’Connor, President, Betty Ford Research Institute
Introduction: Judith McGuire, President, Glucksman Ireland House Advisory Board
12:00 pm Lunch
Local recommendations & special deals will be provided to participants.
1:30pm Session 3: The Irish Family
Professors Marion Casey, Linda Dowling Almeida, and Miriam Nyhan speak on what the Glucksman Ireland House Oral History of Irish America project reveals about the family.
Introduction: Eileen Dowling, Glucksman Ireland House Advisory Board
2:30pm Coffee and tea break
2:45pm Session 4: Struggles and Opportunities: Immigrant Parents and American Children
Pete Hamill and Peter Quinn in conversation about the Irish-American family.
Introduction: Eileen Reilly, Associate Director, Glucksman Ireland House
3:45pm Session 5: Meditating on Ireland and Irish America
Actress Fionnula Flanagan in conversation with Patricia Harty, Editor of Irish America magazine and member of the Glucksman Ireland House Board
4:45 pm Closing Remarks
Jackie O’Halloran Bernstein, Deputy Consul General of Ireland, New York
5:00–6:00 pm Reception at Glucksman Ireland House NYU
1 Washington Mews, New York, NY 10003 | for premium ticket holders only.
Meet the day’s presenters and the faculty of NYU Irish and Irish-American Studies
