76 School of Canadian Irish Studies Concordia Canada / St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal / Elaine Ní Bhraonáin USA
- The School of Canadian Irish Studies, formerly the Centre for Canadian Irish Studies, was created with the joint financial support of Concordia University and the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation.
- The academic programs of the School focus on Ireland’s complex history and rich culture, as well as the contribution of Irish immigrants in all regions of Canada to the social, cultural, economic, religious, educational and political life of the country.
- Usually, fifteen or more Irish Studies courses are offered annually in areas such as History, Literature, Film, Music, Economics, Language, Theatre, Popular Culture, Theology, Political Science and Geography.
The School offers:
A Minor and a Certificate in Canadian Irish Studies, offered within the Faculty of Arts and Science;
An annual public lecture series by scholars and distinguished figures in Irish cultural life;
Scholarships for outstanding students in Canadian Irish Studies, including new entrants, returning undergraduates and graduate students;
Special outreach projects of interest both to academics and the Irish community in Canada;
Cooperation with other academic institutions in Ireland, Canada, the United States and elsewhere in the international promotion of Irish Studies. -
St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal
website
St. Patrick’s Society and the Irish in MontrealThe Irish were in Canada from the earliest times. Apart from, in all probability, having discovered North America years before the Norsemen, the Irish came to Canada in the service of the Kings of France. Although many changed or disguised their names for obvious reasons, the War Office in Paris lists over 400,000 Irishmen who served in the Armies of France from the midseventeenth to mid-eighteenth centuries.
Some of these “Wild Geese” were undoubtedly sent to New France in various French Regiments, and we know for certain that the distinctive uniform of the Irish Brigade, red faced with green was seen in Montcalm’s Army for several years before the Battle of Quebec in 1759. Many formed connections with the French settlers and took up residence here.
After the Conquest, Ireland was represented in Canada by members of the British Army who often followed the lead of their predecessors and settled in Quebec. The first recorded St. Patrick’s Celebrations in Montreal were held by the various Regiments garrisoned here, organized by the large number of Irishmen serving in them.
With the resumption of trade and commerce with British North America, Irish merchants, principally from the Province of Ulster, arrived in Montreal and set up shop, establishing businesses and· commercial dynasties that, in many cases, exist to this day.
By the first third of the 19th century, realizing the rapid growth of the Irish population of Montreal and their ethnological and cultural importance, a group of Montreal citizens decided, after mutual consideration and much deliberation, that it was incumbent upon them to form an organization which would be indicative of their value to the community, but which was of greater importance, to maintain their ancient traditions.
- Elaine Ní Bhraonáin
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Elaine Ní Bhraonáin was raised bi-lingually, with her father speaking Irish Gaelic to her while her mother spoke English. She completed all her education through the medium of the Irish language by attending all-Irish speaking primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools.Elaine obtained a Degree in Irish language and Irish Folklore, and a Masters in the Irish language from University College Dublin. Upon completing her BA and MA, she moved to New York in June 2003, and began teaching Irish at the Irish Arts Center. Elaine teaches four levels of adult classes and developed the highly successful Gaelic Kids, Irish language program for children aged 3-12. In 2004 Elaine began working for the City University New York (CUNY) Institute for Irish-American Studies as a program director which led to her promotion to Assistant Director which involved coordinating events and classes and organising the American Conference for Irish Studies in 2007. Elaine began writing her weekly bi-lingual Irish-English column for the Irish Echo newspaper in New York, Irish America’s most widely read newspaper in 2005. During her time in the United States, Elaine has also taught Irish for the Aisling Community Center in Yonkers, the Manhattan branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and at Irish language days at Iona College in New Rochelle. She also participated in the New York University Irish Language symposium, where her lecture was published in Radharc, the annual journal for the Irish Studies program at Glucksman Ireland House.Following five years of teaching in New York, Elaine returned to her academic studies, and obtained her second Masters in Irish History through the Institute for Irish Studies at Queens University Belfast, in preparation for her Ph D research focused on ‘The Negotiation of Irish Identity in New York’, which she began in September 2009.While pursuing her Ph D research, Elaine continues to teach the Irish language in New York at the Irish Arts Center, The Irish Consulate, the New York Irish Center and provides consultation in the Irish language for the private and public sector. Elaine also participates in Irish language conferences and events throughout the United States and Ireland. Elaine also works as a correspondent for Irish language television stations such as RTÉ and TG4 and for radio stations: Radio Na Gaeltachta, Newstalk BBC and Radio na Life.Elaine will begin teaching the Irish language at New York Public Libraries in March 2011. Elaine is actively involved with many Irish organisations in the US, including the Irish Business Organization and United Irish Counties Association, and is on the committee of the young professional group – Irish Network – NYC. In 2009 Elaine was named one of the Top 50 most influential women in Irish America by the Irish Voice Newspaper. Elaine will be presenting her Ph D research at the American Conference for Irish Studies in Wisconsin in March 2011 and will also be chairing a panel discussion on the Irish Language Abroad at the conference.