Welcome to the Irish American Cultural Institute

Founded in 1962, the Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI) is the leading Irish American cultural organization. The IACI is a federally recognized 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit national organization devoted to promoting an intelligent appreciation of Ireland and the role and contributions of the Irish in America. The IACI is strictly apolitical and nonsectarian, and is the only Irish American organization that has as its patron, The President of Ireland.

Over the past four decades, the IACI has carved an honored place for the Irish dimension in American life. No comparable body has such an impressive track record of achievement and sustained programming. 

The IACI Spring Perceptions tour features a presentation entitled "Look Behind You! A Father and Son's Impressions of the Troubles in Northern Ireland Through Photograph and Song"  by Belfast born musician Steafán (pronounced shtiff fawn) Hanvey. Look Behind You! is a multi-media performance- lecture for international audiences that details how a father and son (both artists) have negotiated the personal and political landscapes of Northern Ireland. A melding of image and voice, anecdote and memory, it showcases Bobbie Hanvey’s prize-winning photojournalism along with radio-edits of his interviews with some of Northern Ireland’s best-known figures. These are complemented and contextualized by Steafán Hanvey’s story-telling, which comes in the form of critically-acclaimed song-writing, and a trained academic’s gift for presenting complex issues in an engaging manner.

The project operates on several levels: While some sections include personal anecdotes inspired by Bobbie Hanvey’s photography, others portray an essence of Northern Ireland through song and image, inviting the audience to experience impressions of life during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Among other things, the project investigates the notions that "art gives order and logic to chaos (Colin Wilson, "The Outsider") and that "the end of art is peace" (W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney).

Robert O'Neill, head of the Burns Library at Boston College said Steafán "brilliantly blends his father Bobbie’s iconic photographs of the Troubles with his own beautifully crafted words, music and lyrics to offer audiences a moving and memorable experience.”

Dr.John Ungerleider, Professor of Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation at SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, VT, commented:

"I have studied the Northern Irish conflict for many years and even visited Northern Ireland, but in "Look Behind You! Steafán brought elements of this history to life that I had never seen or felt in this way... His father's photos are a moving and vivid record of the painful history and Steafán further evokes their emotional and political content through his music and stories as well as his analysis of the language and perceptions of this historical conflict."

To date, chapters in Jersey Shore, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Omaha, in addition to Drew University, have booked this presentation.

Irish Way

Enjoy the rich heritage and tradition of Ireland while also experiencing the country's distinct culture face-to-face. This unique program, in it's 37th year,  was founded on the belief that fostering an appreciation of other cultures is an important part of an individual’s development  Learn More

Join A Chapter

Were you once a member of a local chapter of the IACI? Perhaps you are new to our Institute and would like to meet with others in your area who are interested in Irish American Culture?

If you would like to help form a new chapter in your area, or if you were involved in one in the past and would be interested in reforming, please contact us.

We are now inviting applications for the IACI-NUI Galway Fellowship in the 2014-15 academic year. The fellowship provides an ideal opportunity to scholars normally resident in the United States who wish to spend a semester (not less than four months) at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUIG, and whose work relates to any aspect of Irish Studies. The Centre for Irish Studies is a designated Centre for Research Excellence at NUIG. Details of current research and teaching programs can be found here.

The deadline for receipt of applications for the IACI-NUI Galway Fellowship in the 2014-15 academic year is 28 February 2014.  

Click here for further details & application.

Details, including information on previous Visiting Scholars, are available here

Duchas