Are you looking for intellectual nourishment or just good storytelling about Ireland past and present? Look no further. We offer an attractive menu of options. 

Though its connections with American academics, scholars, and practitioners around the world, the Irish American Cultural Institute is able to draw on the deep knowledge and painstaking training of experts in a broad array of fields related to the rich history and culture of modern and contemporary Ireland. 

Already the Institute has successfully launched a series of talks (each lasting 45-60 minutes) on such topics as the Great Famine and Irish emigration over the period 1845-1900; Daniel O'Connell and Irish anti-slavery; Irish traditional music (with performance intermixed); Irish art and politics in the twentieth century; and Ireland and Brexit. 

All presentations are archived and become available soon after each event. Please click here to see archived presentations

The University of Limerick is pleased to announce Dr Peter Hession as the first appointee of the new UL O’Malley Fellowship: Advancing Irish Studies, supported by the Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI).

Dr Hession, a historian currently based at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, was selected following a competitive international process. He will commence his twelve-week fellowship residency at UL on 9 February 2026.

The O’Malley Fellowship is designed to support advanced research in Irish history, literature, and cultural studies, while contributing to the vibrant intellectual community at the University of Limerick.

Professor Christina Morin, Assistant Dean, Research (AHSS, UL), welcomed the appointment, noting:

“As a Faculty, and as a community of scholars with deep interests and expertise in Irish Studies, we are delighted to welcome Dr Peter Hession to UL to advance his exciting research and to share it with us. We’re indebted to the Irish American Cultural Institute for their help in establishing this fellowship and look forward to it strengthening and amplifying the university’s research culture while facilitating excellent and impactful Irish Studies research.”

Dr Hession said:

“It is an honour to join UL this semester as the inaugural recipient of the O’Malley Fellowship: Advancing Irish Studies in partnership with the Irish American Cultural Institute. The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has a remarkable community of scholars working in Irish Studies, and I am very much looking forward to engaging with colleagues and students while advancing this new phase of my research.”

Dr Hession’s research focuses on the environmental, political, and technological histories of nineteenth-century Ireland. His forthcoming book, Famine of Things: Technology and the Great Irish Hunger, offers a major new perspective on the material forces shaping famine, survival, and governance.

During his fellowship, Dr Hession will pursue a new project, “Famine Roads: A Reassessment” and will deliver a public lecture as part of his residency at UL.

Dr Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said:

“Dr Peter Hession’s innovative scholarship, and particularly his re-examination of the social, political and material histories of nineteenth-century Ireland, aligns strongly with the University’s commitment to supporting rigorous, impactful research. We are delighted to welcome Dr Hession to our academic community and look forward to the significant contributions his fellowship will bring to our students, colleagues and the wider field of Irish Studies.”

The University of Limerick warmly congratulates Dr Hession on his appointment and looks forward to welcoming him as the inaugural UL O’Malley Fellow in February 2026. Learn More