Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, located at One Washington Mews (at Fifth Avenue), will host several special events in March, including a panel discussion, led by Pete Hamill, on the life and work of John McGahern (1934-2006), considered one of Ireland’s greatest contemporary writers, to take place on March 29.

All events take place at Ireland House, unless otherwise noted. Events are free to members of Ireland House and to those with a valid NYU I.D. card. For all others, $10 admission for regular events; $15 for Blarney Star Concert Series. For further information and to make a reservation, call 212.998.3950 or email: ireland.house@nyu.edu.

A schedule of events follows: 
  • Thurs., Mar. 1, 7 p.m. GRIAN Conference Opens: The 9th annual GRIAN Irish Studies Conference: “Ireland and Gender” opens with screening of the film Guns and Chiffon, a one-hour documentary on the involvement of women in Ireland’s fight for national independence. For more on the conference schedule, visit http://irelandhouse.fas.nyu.edu/page/grian.html.
  • Tues., Mar. 6, 7 p.m. Reading: Queens University Belfast Professor Ciaran Carson reads from The Midnight Court, his translation of Brian Merriman’s Chúirt an Mheán Oíche, an 18th-century comic and erotic masterpiece.
  • Thurs., Mar. 8, 7 p.m. Book Launch: Looking for Jimmy. Author Peter Quinn explores the image of “Jimmy,” an archetypal Irish American who comes to life as the fast-talking, tough-yet-refined urban American who redefined American politics, street culture, religion, and moral imagination during the 20th century. Quinn is the author of Banished Children of Eve and The Hour of the Cat.
  • Thurs., Mar. 15, 7 p.m. Lecture: “The Irish Bridget: Behind the Stereotype” by Margaret Lynch-Brennan. This event celebrates the paperback publication of Making the Irish American, co-published by NYU Press and Glucksman Ireland House.
  • Fri., Mar. 16, 9 p.m. Blarney Star Concert Series: Flute player Mike Rafferty, an ageless marvel now in his 8th decade, is one of the greatest living Irish traditional musicians in North America. A native of County Galway, he has had an enormous influence on many younger American musicians, including fiddler Willie Kelly, with whom he has performed on many occasions. They will be joined by piano legend Felix Dolan.
  • Thurs., Mar. 22, 7 p.m. Lecture on “Irish Americans’ participation in the development of Catholic hospitals in New York City” by Bernadette McCauley, Hunter College. She is the author of Who Shall Take Care of Our Sick?
  • Thurs., Mar. 29, 7 p.m. Panel discussion celebrating the life and work of John McGahern (1934-2006). Pete Hamill leads the discussion on McGahern, whose most recent novel was By the Lake. Panel participants include Joe Kennedy, of The Irish Independent and a close friend for over 40 years, and Belinda McKeon, a regular columnist with The Irish Times.
  • Fri., Mar. 30, 7:30 p.m. Film Screening: John McGahern: A Private World. This hour-long documentary explores the life and work of McGahern, who has been at the cultural heart of Irish life since his first book came out in 1963. The film won the Best Documentary Award in the Irish Film & Television Awards in 2005. Note venue: NYU Cantor Film Center, 36 8th St.

Press Contact