About the Conference
Jan 15-18 2014
Drew University, in association with the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland, is pleased to announce a conference titled TRANSATLANTIC CONNECTIONS. The conference explores relationships between Ireland and the USA, and papers will cover the following areas
Transatlantic connections in history, in particular, transatlantic cooperation in the Abolition of slavery, American and Irish independence, Civil Rights in both countries and the Irish Peace Process
Transatlantic themes in Literature: Critical & Creative work from scholars and writers.
Food Culture: Comparisons of the cuisines of Ireland and the United States. American Irish vs. Irish foodstuffs. History, heritage, and conviviality. The future of food and drink in Ireland.
Film Studies: Irish Cinema in the world
Surf Culture: Surfing & tourism in Ireland, visual culture, arts, music & surf culture, gender studies & surfing, Surfing & education.
The Drew TRANSATLANTIC CONNECTIONS Conference will take place in Bundoran, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
The Conference will also feature plenary lectures on historical and cultural topics pertaining to Ireland, America, and their relationship since the eighteenth century
Conference Location & Accommodation
The Conference will be based in the Atlantic Apartotel, right on the main street of Bundoran. The Atlantic Apartotel has self-catering apartments from one bed apartments to three bed apartments.
Book your conference accommodation at the Atlantic by emailing info@atlanticapartotel.ie
The Atlantic Apartotel offers special rates for the Drew Transatlantic Connections Conferences, and discounts are available for groups of 3+ people who are happy to share apartments. Single apartments are limited and available on a first-come basis. Please include the code DREW in your email.
The Food Culture panels will take place in La Sabbia restaurant, Bundoran. The head chef at La Sabbia is Mr. Keith Barry, former head chef of the exclusive Locks Restaurant in Dublin. Keith will be preparing two speciality lunches for delegates as part of the conference, one is a taster of the best of Irish cuisine, and the second lunch is a special “potato” lunch demonstrating the versatility of the potato.
The Surf Culture panels will be held at the Donegal Adventure Centre, Bundoran. The Donegal Adventure Centre is Ireland’s largest surf school and educational activities centre. Established in 1996, the DAC as it’s known was instrumental in establishing Bundoran as the surf capital of Ireland. Many world class surfers have made their home in Bundoran, because of the excellent and consistent surf conditions.
The Film Culture panels will be held at Bundoran Cineplex.
Keynote Speakers
Christine Kinealy is Professor of Irish History at Drew University, USA. Since completing her PhD at Trinity College in Dublin, she has worked in educational and research institutes in Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool and, since 2007, New Jersey. Professor Kinealy has written and lectured extensively on the Irish Famine (An Gorta Mor). Her most recent book, War and Peace: Ireland since the 1960s (Reaktion Books, 2010), was greeted with critical acclaim in Ireland and Britain. Further information can be found on her website: http://www.users.drew.edu/ckinealy/
Easkey Britton is from Donegal, and is five times Irish Surf Champion, tow-in surfer, and astonishly accomplished in many areas. . Easkey has a PhD in Marine Science, and is a writer, artist, and a lecturer in marine conservation, gender studies and surfing, and surf culture. Easkey made a documentary this year surfing in Iran, and will address the conference on Thursday evening with a talk about her groundbreaking experiences. She will also deliver a paper to the surf culture panel on Sustainability and Surfing.
Diane Negra is Professor of Film Studies and Screen Culture and Head of Film Studies at University College Dublin Diane’s work covers critical and cultural studies of media, including studies of feminism and postfeminism, critical ethnic studies, stardom and celebrity studies. She is the editor of The Irish in Us: Irishness, Performativity and Popular Culture (Duke UP, 2006), and is currently working on a new book titled Gendering the Recession. Diane will speak on this topic for the conference
Liam O Cuinneagain is a teacher and director of Oideas Gael, the adult Irish language school located in Clencolmcille, County Donegal. He is also the head of Udaras na Gaeltachta, the Enterprise and Cultural development agency for Ireland's Gaeltacht (Irish speaking regions). Liam will give a talk about the Irish Language – its three dimensional dynamic of – An Ghaeltacht (native Irish speaking communities),outside the Gaeltacht, and the International aspect.
Marc Geagan is an historian and ethnomusicologist, and author of Dancing By The Sea, a local history of the Bundoran area. Marc will be hosting a local history “hedge school”, with local historians, who will engage with delegates and address various myths, stories and narratives about Ireland in the context of their own local research.
Cultural Entertainment
The Henry Girls are three sisters from Co.Donegal, Ireland. They were brought up by music loving parents who introduced them to an eclectic array of sounds such as The Everly Brothers, The Bothy Band, The Beatles, Johnny Cash and Ella Fitzgerald as well being surrounded by traditional Irish music. In their own music, they have a unique rootsy sound which blends their native traditional Irish folk music with hints of americana, bluegrass and blues. They are renowned for their fine close harmonies and musical arrangements, and have been likened to such great musical acts as Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Dixie Chicks and The Be Good Tanyas. They write songs that are tuneful, catchy, and warm. Their repertoire is scattered with old and new and their style reflects many influences and tastes.
They have been playing music together since childhood but decided to go professional in 2010 and since then have become one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of Ireland, now captivating audiences on worldwide stages and earning rapturous encores and standing ovations wherever they play. They’ve taken time out from a very busy tour schedule to perform their own brand of transatlantic music for us at the conference.
Maura Logue is the Director of Dark Daughter Productions, and an award-winning writer, actress, director and producer of many theatrical events including performance theatre, carnival, local historical events & more. Maura was also the community arts officer for Donegal, and has been involved with countless community arts projects in the South & Northern Ireland. While the architect of many many projects, Maura is a stunning actress, and the perfect woman to deliver some of the fine roles played by women in the canon of Irish theatre.
The Trad Session is the default entertainment in the Irish pub. It is always open to travelling musicians, and singers, musicians and performers are all welcome to bring their talents to the session. We encourage all conference delegates who play, sing or recite to join in the session. Everyone is welcome!
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was born and raised in the heartland of the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht in Donegal. She is a native speaker and learnt her songs and tunes from her family and neighbours. Mairéad is internationally known as one of the most important fiddle players that play in the unique Donegal style.This takes her to the world stage with her band ‘Altan’, who play the music of Donegal with pride, throughout the world. Mairéad learnt her songs and tunes from her father Francie Ó Maonaigh, one of the most important fiddle teachers in that part of the country. In 1987, Mairéad and her husband, Frankie Kennedy decided to become full-time musicians and they founded Altan. The band went from strength to strength over the years, playing the music of Tír Chonaill around the world, from New York to Tokyo and back again. The band stayed true to their music and songs, that they learned from their family back at home in Donegal in their neighbours kitchens and at sessions.Aside from playing with Altan, Mairéad is also renowned for her work on other projects. She can be seen presenting music programmes on both radio and television, like “The Long Note”, and “The Pure Drop”, and lately, “The Full Set”. Mairéad is on recordings along with Enya, The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, The String Sisters and many others. Mairéad released her first solo project, 'Imeall' in 2009, which garnered her a Meteor Ireland Music Award nomination.
In 2010, Mairéad was elected Donegal Person of the Year by the Donegal Association in Dublin. Mairead will sing & play for the Drew “Transatlantic Connections” gathering in Bundoran on January 17th at 10pm.
It has been described as ‘psycho ceilidh’, ‘whiskey-soaked folk’ and just plain old ‘partying music’ – whatever it is, The Logues have made the genre their own. From their humble beginnings in a sleepy County Tyrone village, they have become one of Ireland’s most sought-after live bands.
Made up of drums, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, tin whistle and vocals, The Logues have been bringing their folk-rock circus to audiences throughout Ireland and parts of the UK since St. Patrick's Day 2006, when they formed for what was supposed to be a one off gig to fulfill a drunken promise. Since then they have become one of the busiest bands in the country, playing around 150 shows a year.
Signed to Ireland’s most respected live music booking agency, AMA Music Agency , the band have performed at a number of festivals including TradFest in Dublin; headlining the Ballyshannon Folk Festival and Donegal Town Festival; Ierse Dag (Irish Day) in Hardenberg, Holland; along with supporting bands like Saw Doctors, Goats Don’t Shave, Dublin City Ramblers and performing at The Pogues official after-concert party in London.
In July 2011, The Logues released their debut album ‘Tough at the Bottom’, a collection of 11 original songs. Despite their D.I.Y ethic and lack of any media campaign, the album reached #4 in the Amazon.co.uk folk download chart, almost entirely due to word of mouth and the fans they had slowly built up over the years.
The Logues will perform on the final evening of the Drew University Transatlantic Conference, and provide a helluva party to finish up!
Schedule
Tuesday Jan 14th
USA flights departing on Tuesday 14th will arrive in DUBLIN on the morning of Wednesday 15th.
COACH SERVICES RUN REGULARLY FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT TO BALLYSHANNON. A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FROM BALLYSHANNON TO THE ATLANTIC APARTOTEL, BUNDORAN.
CAR HIRE IS AVAILABLE FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT.
Wednesday Jan 15th
2pm-6pm Registration for Conference in Atlantic Apartotel, Bundoran
6:00 pm Book Launch by Dr. Scott Laderman, “Empire in Waves - The Political History of Surfing”
7:30pm Keynote Address Professor Christine Kinealy: The History of the Transatlantic Cable
8.30pm Conference Reception & Traditional Music performance by THE HENRY GIRLS
Thursday Jan 16th
Morning Panels 9.30- 12.30
History Panel @ Atlantic Room
Arts Panel @ the 51 Pub
Irish Surf Culture Panel@ Donegal Adventure Centre
Food History & Culture Panel @ La Sabbia Restaurant.
Lunch 12.30-2.00 with tasting of Irish contemporary cuisine & local micro-brewed beers @ La Sabbia Restaurant . All delegates invited.
Afternoon Panels 2.00pm-5.00pm
History Panel Atlantic Room
Arts Panel @ the 51 Pub
Irish Surf Culture @ Donegal Adventure Centre
Food History & Culture @ La Sabbia Restaurant
6.00pm Plenary Lecture: Dr. Easkey Britton " Making Waves"
7:30pm Dinner at La Sabbia Restaurant
9.30pm: Dark Daughter Productions will perform extracts from Irish Theatre Classics, followed by a solo acoustic performance by the amazing Johnny Gallagher.
Friday Jan 17th
Morning Events 9.30-12.30
Local History Hedge School with Professor Christine Kinealy: Atlantic Room
Film Studies Panel @ Bundoran Ciniplex
Lunch 12.30-1.30. "The Potato Lunch". Head chef Keith Barry will demonstrate just how many ways you can enjoy the potato.
Afternoon Lectures
1.30pm-2.30 pm Liam O’ Cuinnegain, Director of Oideas Gael, Glencolmcille will give a talk on “An Ghaeilge” – The Gaelic Language at home and away. Atlantic Room.
1.30-5.00 Film Studies Screening & Q&A session with Irish Film Industry
6.00pm Plenary Lecture: Professor Diane Negra will present "Gendering the Irish Recession".
8.00pm Atlantic Room Final Evening Banquet & Awards, with music by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, followed by The Logues.
Saturday 18th
Morning Events
8.30-10.00 Networking Breakfast
10.00 -11.00 Meet the Yeats Society: Ian Kennedy from the Yeats Society will discuss the work of the Yeats Summer & Winter School.
Check out & departure 12.00 noon.
Conference Fees
All-Access Fee:
Registration, all lectures & panels, special luncheon events, evening meals & entertainment
$450.00
Separate Fees:
Registration & handling fee (compulsory)
$175.00
Attendance for lectures & panels (compulsory)
$175.00
Irish Cuisine Taster Lunch & Beer tasting Jan 16th
$30.00
Potato Lunch Jan 17th
$20.00
Opening reception & Henry Girls concert
$25.00
Evening Meal Jan 16th
$35
Final Banquet & Awards & Entertainment
$70.00
Call for Papers
Due November 15, 2013
History Submissions: January 16th 2014
We are delighted to have Professor Christine Kinealy as keynote speaker for the history panels. Professor Kinealy will launch the conference on Wednesday January 15th with a presentation on the history of the transatlantic cables between Ireland and North America. On Thursday January 16th, the theme for the day is
“Brothers and sisters in struggle: transatlantic co-operations”.
The panels will explore transatlantic cooperation in the Abolition of slavery, American and Irish independence, Civil Rights in both countries and the Irish Peace Process. Both individual paper and panel submissions (3-4 participants) are welcomed, as are proposals for presentations in non-traditional formats (posters, performances, exhibits). Proposals should be 250-500 words in length, and include a brief (~50 word) bio of the submitter or—in the case of panels—each participant.
Literary Submissions: January 16th 2014
In a slight departure from the norm, we are inviting writers and literary scholars to submit proposals for papers or presentations no longer than 10 minutes. On Thursday January 16th, we will host a literary pub gathering, with the opportunity for speakers to present either creative or critical work on the theme of transatlantic connections. There will be an opportunity for group discussion about the work presented. We welcome papers on writers, and by writers, in poetry, short stories, novels and drama. Proposals should be 250-500 words in length, and include a brief (~50 word) bio of the submitter.
Film Studies Submissions: January 17th 2014
We are delighted to have Professor Diane Negra, Professor of Film Studies at University College, Dublin as keynote speaker for the film studies section. On the morning of Friday January 18th, we will have presentations on the theme of transatlantic connections in film. This will take place in Bundoran Cineplex. Proposals should be 250-500 words in length, and include a brief (~50 word) bio of the submitter. On Friday afternoon, we will have a showing of contemporary Irish cinema, with a panel of speakers from the Irish film industry, and a Q&A session following the presentations. Professor Negra will address the conference on Friday evening.
Food Culture Submissions: January 16th 2014
From Celtic feasts to Famine, and from Celtic Tiger to Recession, Irish food and drink has been a significant element of Irish and Irish-American culture. Our food culture section, at La Sabbia restaurant, aims to showcase the best of current scholarly writing, research and debate on the subject, and also will include contributions from local food and drink purveyors in the locality. During the lunch-break on Thursday, all conference delegates will be treated to a taster-lunch of the best of local produce.
Proposals should be 250-500 words in length, and include a brief (~50 word) bio of the submitter. Submissions are invited on topics across the full range of Irish food & beverage history from ancient to contemporary times.
Surf Culture Submissions: January 16th 2014
Bundoran, Ireland is the location of our conference, but it is also the surf capital of Ireland. In the last fifty years, surf culture has exploded all along the West coast of Ireland, and has influenced Irish culture in many ways, reinvigorating rural communities, and offering a very contemporary twist to the traditional Irish seaside towns. Professor Travis Feezell, Chair of Sports Management at Belmont Abbey College, N.c. and Stephen Boyd, lecturer in Visual Culture at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology will chair this section. Submissions are invited on topics across the full range of surf culture, including topographical and geographical conditions, music culture, arts, sports and education, surf tourism and gender issues. This Both individual paper and panel submissions (3-4 participants) are welcomed, as are proposals for presentations in non-traditional formats (posters, performances, exhibits). This section will take place at the Donegal Adventure Centre. Proposals should be 250-500 words in length, and include a brief (~50 word) bio of the submitter or—in the case of panels—each participant.
The Drew University Transatlantic Conference will also include a presentation by Liam O’Cuinneagáin, founder and director of Oideas Gael, on the Irish Language, musical performances by Johnny Gallagher and The Henry Girls, Performances by Maura Logue’s “Dark Daughter” Company, and The Yeats Society, Sligo. There will be a final Irish banquet and concert on Friday 17th January, with awards for the best presentations in each of the five disciplines.
We encourage graduate students, scholars, academics and professionals to consider submitting paper proposals to this conference. Please send any questions to Niamh Hamill at the conference email address.
Submissions are due NOVEMBER 15, 2013 to nhamill@drew.edu
