The Burns Library Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies Chair was established in 1989 by a generous gift of the Burns Foundation of San Francisco, California. The Foundation was set up by the family of the Honorable John J. Burns, for whom the library is named. A distinguished scholar, writer or artist who has made significant contributions to Irish cultural or intellectual life is brought to Boston College for either a semester or full academic year. The Burns Scholar uses the library's renowned Irish Book and Manuscript Collection for his or her research. The chairholder also teaches one course per semester and delivers two public lectures on an Irish Studies related topic.
Current Burns Library Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies
John F. Deane, Irish Poet and Fiction Writer (Spring 2008)
Professor Deane is the author of some twenty books, including works of poetry, fiction, essays and translations. Recent books of poetry include Manhandling the Deity (2003), The Instruments of Art (2005), and A Little Book of Hours (2008), all published by Carcanet Press. His most recent book of fiction is The Heather Fields and Other Stories (Blackstaff Press, 2007). In 1979 Deane founded Poetry Ireland, the national poetry society of Ireland, and The Poetry Ireland Review. He is the founder of Dedalus Press and Waxwing Press. In 1996, he was elected Secretary-General of the European Academy of Poetry. He is a member of Aosdána, a select group of artists recognized by the Arts Council of Ireland for their contributions to Irish art. In 2007 he was named by the French government a Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres.
Previous Burns Library Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies 1991-
- Brendan Kennelly (Fall 2007)
Irish poet
Listen to a poetry reading [1 hr]* Brendan Kennelly gave at the Burns Library in October 2007. Introductory remarks were given by Robert K. O'Neill, Ph.D.
- Tom Garvin (2006-2007)
Professor of Politics,
View video from Front Row.
- Maria Luddy (2005-2006)
Professor of History at the University of Warwick.
View video from Front Row.
- Gerald Dawe (Spring 2005)
Poet literary critic; Director of Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, Trinity College, Dublin.
View video from Front Row.
- Mick Moloney (Fall 2004)
Professor of Music and the Irish Studies, New York University
- Peter Gray (Spring 2004)
Senior Lecturer in History, University of Southampton
- Margaret Kelleher (2002-2003)
Senior Lecturer, Department of English, National University of Ireland - Maynooth
- Breandán Ó Buchalla (2001-2002)
Formerly of University College, Dublin
- Patricia Donlon (2000-2001)
Former Director of the National Library of Ireland
- Paul Bew (1999-2000)
Historian, Political Scientist, The Queen's University Belfast
- Nuala Ní Dhomhaill (1998-1999)
Irish poet, author
- Bernard Meehan (Spring 1998)
Keeper of Manuscripts, Trinity College, Dublin
- Alvin Jackson (1996-1997)
Historian, The Queen's University Belfast
- Kevin Whelan (1996-97)
Historian, geographer; Director of the Keogh Center for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame
- Timothy O'Neill (Spring 1995)
Calligrapher, historian
- Sean Ó Túama (Fall 1994)
Irish language scholar, National University of Ireland, Cork
- Maurice Harmon (1993-1994)
University College, Dublin, Professor of Literature, literary critic and author
- Margaret Mac Curtain O. P. (1992-1993)
Historian, National University of Ireland, Dublin
- Alf Mac Lochlainn (1991-92)
Film and literary critic, bibliographer, cultural historian and novelist who served as director of the National Library of Ireland
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