University of St. Thomas
William J. Flynn
Center for Irish Studies
Spring 2013 Cultural Outreach Series
We encourage you to attend our Spring 2013 Cultural Outreach Series. These events are first-come, first-served. Please advise us in advance of any mobility issues. All lectures are free and there is a minimal charge for some concerts.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Celtic Spirituality and its Contribution
to the Roman Catholic Church
Sister Madeleine Grace, CVI
When: 7:30 pm
Where: University of St. Thomas,
Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon,
Houston, TX 77006
Free and open to the public
The Roman Catholic Church has been endowed with numerous schools of spirituality, normally stemming from the giftedness or charism of an individual in reference to one's approach to God. Celtic Christian Spirituality cannot trace its origins to one person, even though many Irish would place St. Patrick at the top of the list. Rather, numerous individuals and events have come together to mold a heritage and way of life somewhat distinctive to the Emerald Isle. Few Catholic Americans can claim that they have not been influenced by the embodiment of this spirituality within their own education.
The elusiveness, yet popularity, of the phraseology presents its own challenge in unlocking how Celtic Spirituality emerges as an area of personal growth. Certainly the Carmina Gadelica, the peregrinatio pro christo, the doctrine of the Trinity, the emphasis on penance, and the Breastplate of St. Patrick are integral to our own understanding of this pathway to God. Come and join us in exploring this heritage more deeply.
Sr. Madeleine Grace, CVI, a member of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Houston, holds degrees from the University of Houston in Social Science, St. Mary's University in San Antonio in Theology and St. Louis University in St. Louis in Historical Theology. Her specific area of specialization is Early Church History coupled with a keen interest in Spirituality. She currently is an Associate Professor in the UST Department of Theology.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Sliabh Notes
Traditional Irish Music Concert
When: 7:30 pm
Where: University of St. Thomas,
Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum,
Houston, TX 77006
Benefiting the William J. Flynn
Center for Irish Studies
Open to the public; Adults $15;
Seniors $10; children and students free
Seating is first-come, first-served;
seats reserved for those with mobility restrictions
Rarely do Houstonians have a chance to hear one traditional Irish musician from the heartland of the west of Ireland, and even more rare is the experience of hearing several together. Join us for a special return group appearance of these fantastic musicians.
Sliabh Notes, the traditional group from the southwest of Ireland, featuring Dónal Murphy from Abbeyfeale, Matt Cranitch from Cork, and Tommy O'Sullivan from Dingle, make a welcome return to Texas in 2013. Since the group was formed in 1995, they have released three albums, and have established an enviable reputation for their high-quality traditional music. They have played at many venues throughout Ireland, and have also performed at major festivals, including North Texas Irish Festival, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Copenhagen Irish Festival in Denmark, Torino Festival in Italy, Camden Festival in London, Castlewellan Celtic Fusion Festival, and Ballyshannon International Folk Festival. At all these events, Sliabh Notes and their music, which has been described as 'having a distinctive regional flavour but with international appeal', were given a very enthusiastic reception.
Writing in Irish Music Magazine, Betsy Cummings reviewed their performances at Milwaukee Irish Fest:"Sliabh Notes outstandingly represents Ireland's Sliabh Luachra region and they also get my award for one of the best Irish band names. I can only hope they'll be touring Stateside more often and very soon. I'm a fan but who wouldn't be when the music is this good?"
At the heart of the Sliabh Notes sound is the playing of Dónal Murphy on accordion, and Matt Cranitch on fiddle, who in the words of Paul Dromey, Folk Columnist of the Evening Echo, "have proved themselves to be one of the finest and most electrifying Sliabh Luachra-style box and fiddle duos you could wish to hear." Added to this stellar performance is the versatile guitar playing and unique singing of Tommy O'Sullivan. The result is a dynamic mix of exciting traditional music that is vibrant, powerful and compelling. Nuala O'Connor has said in the Irish Times that "it is difficult not to be carried away by this music."
Sliabh Luachra is well-known for its unique style of Irish traditional music, particularly its distinctive repertoire of slides and polkas. The area has long been an inspiration and source of influence for Dónal, Matt and Tommy, and this is reflected in their concert repertoire and recordings. To date they have made three albums,"Sliabh Notes," "Gleanntan" and "Along Blackwater's Banks." Each album has received much critical acclaim, including:
"[T]hese reels take on new life and luster in the brilliant playing afforded them here by Sliabh Notes … This is one that should not be missed." – Sally Sommers-Smith, Irish Music Magazine.
"One of the best albums to be released this year so far comes form Sliabh Notes." – Irish Post.
"Magnificent." – Siobhán Long, Irish Times.
"Past, present and future of Irish music, all encapsulated in one single album."
– http://worldzone.net/music/rudall/
For more information, consult their Web sites:
http://www.mattcranitch.com/
http://donalmurphy.net/
http://tommyosullivan.net/
Friday, March 15, 2013
Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Mass Celebrated by
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
When: 10:30 am (note later time)
Where: University of St. Thomas,
Chapel of St. Basil, 3802 Yoakum
Brunch following Mass:
University of St. Thomas,
Jerabeck Gymnasium, 4000 Mt. Vernon
Cost of Breakfast: $25 check or cash
with advanced ticket sales; $30 at the door
Benefiting the William J. Flynn
Center for Irish Studies
RSVP requested for Breakfast
by Thursday, March 7, 2013
to 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day as it is celebrated in Ireland. His eminence Daniel N. Cardinal DiNardo will celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick with a Mass in the Chapel of St. Basil. Other priests are welcome to concelebrate. After Mass, stay for a traditional Irish feast of smoked salmon, Irish soda bread, scrambled eggs and much more! Be a part of this important annual celebration!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Queen Comes to Ireland:
The Story of Queen Victoria's Four Visits
Dr. Joseph McFadden
University President Emeritus
and History Professor Emeritus
When: 7:30 pm
Where: University of St. Thomas,
Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon,
Houston, TX 77006
Free and open to the public
Queen Victoria visited Ireland four times during her 63-year reign as the Queen of England and the British Empire. The visits took place in: 1849, 1853, 1861, and 1900. The purpose and results differed for each trip to Ireland. None of the visits was a "state visit." All were characterized as "private" visitations. A characterization for each visit would be as follows: 1849: reassuring; 1853: enabling; 1861: peaceful; 1900: a missed opportunity. We will discuss each of these visits and their impact on Irish history.
Dr. McFadden received his Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University in American History with a minor in Modern European History and Russian History. He has traveled extensively in Ireland and taught at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland. He has been with UST since 1988, teaching as a history professor since 1997, and serving as president between 1988 and 1997 and again as interim president in Spring 2004. Dr. McFadden founded the Center for Irish Studies in 2002 and the Center opened in January 2003.
For more information, contact the Center Director, Lori Meghan Gallagher, JD, at 713-525-3592 oririshstudies@stthom.edu.
Parking and Maps: Parking is available for $2 in the Moran Center at West Alabama St. at Graustark St. Campus Maps are available online under About UST at http://www.stthom.edu/public/index.asp?page_ID=3845/. Or, access www.stthom.edu, then Quick Links on top right hand corner of the Web site, look under On Campus and click the link for Maps.
Concert and Lecture Sponsors: The Center for Irish Studies Cultural Outreach Forum sponsors our Cultural Outreach Series, along with other sponsors. Members of the Cultural Outreach Forum are listed below. Become a member of the Cultural Outreach Forum or a Friend of the Center for Irish Studies!
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, November 8, 2013
Annual Irish Gala benefiting
the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies
The Houstonian Hotel,
111 North Post Oak Lane,
Houston, TX 77024
6:30 pm reception;
dinner following reception
Honorees:
Members of the international community who have been instrumental in building and maintaining peace in Northern Ireland:
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Good
Join us for an enjoyable evening with delicious food, lively entertainment and great company! We are delighted to honor Rev. and Mrs. Harold Good of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Rev. Good has served as the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland (for the entire island) and has received many awards recognizing his contributions to peace around the world. The Goods also have played a significant role as mentors to our students on the Flynn Center for Irish Studies' study abroad program in Northern Ireland. Help us raise scholarships to enable our students to enroll in Irish Studies courses at UST as well as to study abroad in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through the funds raised by the Gala, we also raise scholarships to bring Irish and Northern Irish students to study at UST.
For more details, please contact Lori Gallagher
at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu
About Our Center
The University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies features academic, cultural outreach and study abroad programs. We offer our students a minor in Irish Studies at the undergraduate level and a concentration in Irish Studies in the Master of Liberal Arts Program at the graduate level. Most of our courses are open for the public to audit at a discounted rate.
Our Center's mission:
*To preserve Irish heritage and culture
*To promote peace and reconciliation around the world using the Northern Ireland model
*To serve as a premier Center for Irish and Irish American Studies in Texas and the Southwest
William J. Flynn Center Again Named Among "Top Ten Irish Studies Programs"
We are delighted to once again be named one of the "Top Ten Irish Studies Programs" in the country. This honor recognizes the continued strength of our academic, cultural outreach and study abroad programs relative to those of much larger institutions on the east coast. Our Flynn Center for Irish Studies is the only program of its kind in the Southwest.
The Center enjoys strong ties with the Irish Government through the Consul General of Ireland in Chicago, the Irish Government Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and other departments.
We are scheduled to lead another group of students on study abroad to Ireland and Northern Ireland in summer 2013.
"The Gathering" in Ireland in 2013
Now is your chance to visit or return to Ireland and Northern Ireland! "The Gathering" is the event of 2013. Whether you are Irish born or Irish in spirit, celebrate the year of Irish connections. The Gathering of 2013 is comprised of year-round festivals and events around the island. Go to www.thegatheringireland.com and be a part of it!
Visit our New Website!
UST recently published a new Website for the Center, which is one of the University's six Centers for Excellence. We have extensive research links on a wide range of topics and information about our academic program. Find yourself among the photographs from past cultural events and gatherings. Save the dates for our spring 2013 cultural events. Send links to these events to your family and friends!www.stthom.edu/irishstudies. Join us!
Come See Us in Our Lovely Home!
Physical address:
William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies
University of St. Thomas
4206 Yoakum Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
Mailing Address:
Lori Meghan Gallagher, JD, Director
William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies
University of St. Thomas
3800 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
