May 2008 NUI Galway Hosts 35th Annual Conference of the Sociological Association of Irela

The 35th Annual Conference of the Sociological Association of Ireland convenes from 9-11 May at NUI Galway. Over three days, delegates will hear a wide range of presentations on topics as diverse as tourism in divided cities, the inequities of the Irish taxation system, the environment, religious practice, masculinity, new immigrant communities, food and food cultures. On the opening evening of the conference, Galway-based actor and writer Jeananne Crowley, will launch the latest volume in the Irish Sociological Chronicles series, Belongings: shaping identity in modern Ireland, edited by Mary P. Corcoran and Perry Share, and published by the Institute of Public Administration. Among the topics covered in this volume are the Michael Neary case, the 1916 commemorations, the Miss China Ireland pageant, Munster Mania, the rise of the Jumbo Breakfast Roll and the Irish Ferries dispute. On Saturday, 10 May veteran politician and sociologist Michael D. Higgins will be honoured with honorary life membership of the association. More than 70 papers and posters will be presented over the three-day event. Some of the papers to be presented are highlighted below. For a full listing of the conference programme please refer to www.sociology.ie. For further information please contact Mary P. Corcoran at 087-664-8751 or Aifric O'Grada.