The Irish Language in Liverpool / An Ghaeilge cois Seteia

The panel will discuss Liverpool’s role in providing a safe haven for Irish Speakers as well as source of significant Irish-Language authors and activists. Themes will include the activist roles played by the Irish language in Liverpool and Merseyside in general, and conversely Liverpool’s contribution the Irish language, its history, literature, revival.

Chaired by Dr Eoghan Ahern (Institute of Irish Studies), with speakers : Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín (University of Galway, Ireland), Professor Pádraig Ó Siadhail, (St Mary’s College, Halifax, Canada) and Professor Brian Ó Conchubhair (University of Notre Dame, USA).

The evening will conclude with a wine reception.

Dr Eoghan Ahern, Institute of Irish Studies (Chair)

Eoghan Ahern is a lecturer in the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool. He is a specialist in early medieval literary and intellectual culture, particularly that of Ireland and Britain. Recent and forthcoming research explores such topics as hagiographical writing, scientific thought, and parodic grammar books in seventh- and eighth-century Ireland.

Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín, University of Galway, Ireland

Is í Riarthóir Theagasc na Gaeilge in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge í an Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín agus Príomhfheidhmeannach Gníomhach an Acadaimh idir Eanáir 2018 agus Lúnasa 2020. Tá suim aici i dteagasc agus i sealbhú teangacha, sa seomra ranga traidisiúnta, ar líne, nó tríd an bhfoghlaim chumaisc, agus sa litearthacht acadúil. Tá suim ar leith aici i stair na hiriseoireachta agus na meán Gaeilge agus is ar a ábhar sin a scríobh sí a tráchtas PhD.

Professor Pádraig Ó Siadhail, St Mary’s College, Halifax, Canada

Pádraig Ó Siadhail was born in Derry and has a PhD in Irish-language theatre from Trinity College Dublin. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he is Associate Professor in Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s University. His publications include Stair Dhrámaíocht na Gaeilge 1900–1970 (1993), a history of Irish-language theatre; An Béaslaíoch. Beatha agus Saothar Phiarais Béaslaí, 1881–1965 (2007), a biography of Piaras Béaslaí; Idir Dhá Thír: Sceitsí ó Cheanada (2005), a collection of non-fictional essays, four novels and a collection of short stories. Ó Siadhail is particularly interested in what he terms ‘the call of home’ — how members of the Irish Diaspora have contributed to the Irish language and its culture: for example, the Liverpool-born Irish-speaking political and cultural activist, Piaras Béaslaí.

Professor Brian Ó Conchubhair, University of Notre Dame, USA

Brian Ó Conchubhair is a Professor of Irish Language and Literature at the University of Notre Dame and a fellow of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, and the Institute for Social Concerns. He has been the recipient of a Joyce Teaching Award (2011) and the Kellogg Undergraduate Mentor of the year award (2024).

He has served as Director of the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures (2013-2020); Executive Director of the IRISH Seminar (2011-2013), and President of the American Conference for Irish Studies (2015-2017). He has been a Visiting Professor at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris 3, the University of Notre Dame, Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Charles University (Prague).

Professor Ó Conchubhair’s writings include an award-winning monograph on the intellectual history of the Irish Revival entitled Fin de Siècle na Gaeilge: Darwin, An Athbheochan agus Smaointeoireacht na hEorpa (The Irish Fin de Siècle: Darwin, the Revival and European Thought). He is currently completing a full-length biography of Flann O’Brien/Myles na Gopaleen.

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