Ireland in the World

Ireland in the World

More than 70 million people worldwide can claim descent from Irish emigrants. Yet this is a small island with a population of less than 5 million. Ireland is the most westerly country on the European seaboard and as an island can be described in geographical and physical terms as being on the edge of Europe. Being on the edge has provided the platform for Ireland to create many global links.

Migration is central to the Irish psyche, language, lore, storytelling, literary works, art works and music of the Irish at home and abroad. But engaging with Ireland in the world opens up questions and challenges about a number of contexts, including migration, artistic and literary exchanges, cultural encounters, translation, the relationship between empire, colony, and nation, and its position within and between Europe and the Anglophone world.

This theme invites scholars to collaborate in exploring the many and varied interactions between Ireland and the wider world, supported by UCD Centre for Global Irish Studies, through the lens of the following research pillars:

• Global Gaels (including diaspora communities)
• Histories of Ireland
• Languages of Ireland
• Traditional Knowledge Systems
• Performing Irish Identity

Theme Lead: (opens in a new window)Dr Aoife Whelan (School of Irish, Celtic Studies & Folklore)

Members of our theme participate regularly in a range of Irish Studies associations, conferences and events, including:
(opens in a new window)American Conference for Irish Studies
(opens in a new window)British Association for Irish Studies
(opens in a new window)Canadian Association for Irish Studies
(opens in a new window)European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies (EFACIS)
(opens in a new window)Irish Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand (ISAANZ)