The Irish American Cultural Institute is the proud publisher of the journal Éire- Ireland, which since its first appearance in 1966 has been the premier journal devoted to Irish Studies in North America. The journal is published twice a year, with Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter issues. It is interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in scope, though articles on modern Irish history and modern Irish literature dominate the wide-ranging fare. The journal also features articles dealing with the literature and history of Irish America. One issue each year is devoted to a special theme or subject, with the 2019 special issue slated to examine “Irish Music” and the 2020 special issue scheduled to explore “Ireland and the Environment.”

Starting with the Spring/Summer 2018 issue, members will receive an electronic version, in addition to the print version. Please be sure to provide your e-mail to receive the electronic version.

If you are not already a member and would like to become one, please click here.

The Irish American Cultural Institute is reviving The Butler Literary Award, which was initiated in 1962 by Patrick and Aimee Butler of St Paul, Minnesota and continued until 2002 when the award was temporarily halted. The award was for a deserving Irish author in English or Irish.

The Butler Literary Award will be offered for what the judges deem to be the best first publication by an Irish writer in any literary genre or a first publication in a new genre by an already published writer in the period between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018.

This year’s judges are Nadine O’Regan, Arts and Books Editor, Sunday Business Post, Fintan O’Toole, columnist and critic, Irish Times and Dr. Eibhear Walshe, Senior Lecturer in the School of English, and Director of Creative writing, University College Cork. The judges are chaired by Catherine Marshall, curator, and art historian and member of the board of the IACI.

The award, for 2,000 dollars, is modest but it is hoped that it will grow from this moment into something that will be of real benefit to Irish writers in terms of critical recognition, publicity and financial benefit. It will be offered every two years.

 The judges have shortlisted three writers for the 2018 Butler Literary Award. They are:

     Arnold Thomas Fanning, Mind on Fire, A memoir of madness and recovery, Penguin Ireland, May 2018

     Caoilinn Hughes, author of Orchid and the Wasp, Oneworld Publications, July 2018

      Emilie Pine, Notes to Self, Tramp Press, July 2018

The winner of the Award will be announced at a reception at Books Upstairs, 17 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2 on Monday, 15th October 2018 at 6.30 pm.

Arnold Fanning’s Mind on Fire is a courageous and dramatic account of a decade of mental illness, its impact on himself and those close to him and his eventual recovery.

Orchid and the Wasp is a debut novel by poet, Caoilinn Hughes, about post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. It proves that Irish writing has finally replaced the guilt-ridden catholic family with something very different but troubling and entertaining in equal measure.

Emilie Pine, Notes to Self, is a collection of personal essays based on the author’s thoughts and experience of paternal love, addiction, rape, and infertility, explored with devastating openness.

The biannual O’Malley Art Award will also be announced by the Institute at the reception.