Institute for Irish-American Studies

Annual Report 2008-2009

May 8, 2009

Most of our energies at the Institute are devoted to developing research projects, coordinating distance education programs, and scheduling public events. We have four research foci that we call “centers.” They are the Center for Irish Language Acquisition Research, Center for the Preservation of Irish-American Publications, Center for Great Irish Famine & Immigration Studies, and Center for Traditional Irish-American Music. We are also involved in research addressing the following themes: ‘New Irish’ & Film, Return Emigration, Mapping Irish America, and the Irish in the Americas.

Center for Irish Language Acquisition Research/Lárionad Taighde ar Fhoghlaim na Gaeilge

+ Hosted Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Eimear Ní Cheallaigh (2008-2009).

+ Launched textbook and CD for learning Irish as a foreign language in New York (2008) and Galway (2009).

+ Submitted proposal for Minor in Irish Language and Literature to CUNY Board of Trustees and the program was approved (2008).

+ Announced approval of CUNY Board of Trustees appointment of Thomas Ihde as Associate Professor of Languages and Literatures [Irish] (2008).

+ Organized a variety of distance education courses both on-line and as study abroad at National University of Ireland-Galway.

+ Hosted lectures by Irish languages speakers (2008 & 2009).

Center for the Preservation of Irish-American Publications

+ Preserved and increased access to over 150 books published by Irish-American presses, some dating back over 200 years.

+Completed an $8,000 dollar grant from the New York Metropolitan Library Council to preserve an additional 40 books from the CUNY libraries (Fall 2008).

+ Donations also received from the W.B. Yeats Society of New York and the American Irish Teachers Association.

Center for Great Famine & Immigration Studies

+ Collaborated on documentary of Irish immigration in New York City that was commissioned by the Aisling Center, Memory Brings Us Back.

+ Organized conferences and courses that focus on Irish immigration and the Great Famine.

Center for Traditional Irish-American Music

+ Re-appointed John Redmond as Traditional Irish-American Musician in Residence at Lehman College (2008).

+ Organized concerts of a number of traditional Irish-American musicians in combination with lectures and benefits as well as large concert performances.

+ Presented a series of 6 public interview/performances as a pilot project to document the face of Irish-American traditional music in New York City (2008-2009). The recordings of these interviews will serve as the start of an oral history archive.