Distinguished Visiting Scholars at the Centre

The Centre for Irish Studies has a long-standing commitment to supporting international research initiatives in the field of Irish Studies.  In particular, the hosting of Visiting Scholars makes a significant contribution to the intellectual life of the Centre by providing a platform for wider discussions among the Irish Studies community at NUI Galway.

With the generous assistance of funding agencies, including the Leverhulme Foundation, the Irish American Cultural Institute, the Fulbright Commission, the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Foras na Gaeilge, and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at NUI Galway, the Centre has hosted emerging and established scholars from Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

From Mícheál Hishikawa’s exploration of the sean-nós song tradition (Kobe University, Japan) and Christine Beckett’s engagement with traditional music performance (Concordia University, Montreal), to Felix Flores Verona’s quest to uncover Michael Davitt’s Cuban connection (Universidad de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba), from Dara Culhane’s memoirs of the Sheehy sisters (Simon Fraser University, Canada), and Masaya Shimokusu’s study of Irish folk tales (Doshisha University) to William Desmond’s work on ’being between’ and Irish philosophical thought (KU Leuven), and Asier Altuna Garcia de Salazar’s research on representations of Spain and the Basque Country in Irish Romanticism (University of Deusta, Bilbao), visiting scholars at the Centre have continued to open new pathways in Irish Studies research.‌

IACI-NUI Galway Fellowship in Irish Studies

In partnership with the Irish American Cultural Institute, the Centre for Irish Studies offers an annual Visiting Fellowship in Irish Studies to enable a scholar from the United States to further her/his research at NUI Galway. The award includes a contribution towards the cost of travel and relocation, from the Irish American Cultural Institute, and a stipend from NUI Galway. The Centre for Irish Studies also provides workspace, computer facilities, library access, and administrative support.

The fellowship has brought some of the most distinguished North American scholars in the world of Irish Studies to Galway, including Catherine Shannon (2001-2002), Richard Finnegan (2002-2003), Robert Savage (2003-2004), Ken Nilsen (2004-2005), Philip O’Leary (2005-2006), Clare Carroll (2006-2007), Margot Backus (2007-2008), James S. Donnelly Jr. (2008-2009), Laura O’Connor and Ed Madden (2009-2010), Scott Spencer (2010-2011), Donna Potts (2011-2012), Cian McMahon (2012-2013), Chris Maginn (2013-2014) and Seán Farrell (2014-2015).

Through their research at NUI Galway, these scholars have made an outstanding contribution to the project of Irish Studies worldwide.