University of St. Thomas
William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Fall 2013 Cultural Outreach Events and Tenth Anniversary Celebration We are pleased to announce that our Center is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary as a Center for Excellence at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Come celebrate with us by attending our fall cultural events and Annual Irish Gala! Fall 2013 Cultural Outreach Series We invite you to attend our Fall 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. Monday, September 9, 2013 Tim Collins, County Galway, Ireland Dick Dowling: Early Days in Ireland and Texas When: 11:30 am Where: University of St. Thomas Ahern Room, Crooker Center, 3909 Graustark, Houston, TX 77006 Lecture and lunch free and open to public, but RSVP requested for lunch by Wednesday, September 4, at noon, first-come, first-served Many years of hard work of Ann Caraway Ivins, a long-time Friend of the Center, has come to fruition in the publication of a book about Dick Dowling through Irish author Tim Collins. Collins will present aspects of the book focusing on Dowling's early days in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, how he found his way from Galway to Texas, and his contributions in Texas and particularly Houston.
Collins is a graduate in marine science and a chartered librarian, recently retired, from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has a special interest in the history of Irish science, notably natural history and maritime history. Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Dr. Janet Lowery, UST Department of English Dancing at Lughnasa 15 Years Later: Backdrops and Foregrounds When: 7:30 pm Where: University of St. Thomas Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon Houston, TX 77006 Free and open to the public In this presentation, which includes watching the 95-minute film adaptation of Brian Friel's award-winning play, Dr. Janet Lowery of UST's Department of English briefly will highlight distinctions among critics' views on both the play and film, discuss historical backdrops, and foreground the power of the ensemble cast and the fate of its characters in this film. She also will introduce some contemporary developments in the Irish theater and European culture that suggest the far-reaching insights of Friel's vision. Directed by Pat O'Connor (Circle of Friends), with the screenplay by Irish playwright Frank McGuinness, and music by Bill Whelan, the film stars Meryl Streep, Michael Gambon, Catherine McCormack, Sophie Thompson, Kathy Burke, Brid Brennan and Rhys Ifans, and is narrated in voice over by Gerard McSorley. Dr. Lowery is a Professor in the Department of English as well as the Director of the UST Creative Writing Program. She formerly served as the Cullen Endowed Chair of the Department of English. Dr. Lowery received her Ph.D. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the State University of New York at Binghamton (SUNY). Wednesday, October 2, 2013 Dr. Catherine Swift, Director of Irish Studies Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Ireland Genetic Genealogy: Surname Formation in Ireland--Discussion, Debate and DNA When: 7:30 pm Where: University of St. Thomas Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon, Houston, TX 77006 Free and open to the public Thursday, November 14, 2013 Rev. Harold Good Northern Ireland Peace Process: Lessons Learned When: 7:30 pm Where: University of St. Thomas Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon, Houston, TX 77006 Free and open to the public Friday, November 22, 2013 (Note change of date) Annual Irish Gala benefiting the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies When: 6:30 pm reception; dinner following reception Where: The Houstonian Hotel 111 North Post Oak Lane Houston, TX 77024 Honorees: Members of the international community who have been instrumental in building and maintaining peace in Northern Ireland and who serve as mentors for our study abroad program: Rev. and Mrs. Harold Good Chairs: Laura and Rev. Charles Millikan Janet and Randy Gilmore Honorary Chairs: His Eminence Daniel N. Cardinal DiNardo Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Bishop Janice Riggle Huie The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church For more details, please contact Lori Gallagher Upcoming Events, Irish Gala (table payment option on line) Sunday, December 8, 2013 Celtic Christmas Carols with Danny O'Flaherty and Noel Nash When: 2 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 UST faculty, staff and students free Seating is first-come, first-served; seats reserved for those with mobility restrictions
| 
