Irish American Cultural Institute

Providing leadership and resources to preserve, interpret, and promote Irish and Irish American Cultures

Welcome


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 six 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.
 

Join Us for the IACI Monthly Virtual Presentations


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. 

 

Realtime access and participation in the Q&A portion of these events is free to members of the IACI. If you are an IACI Member you will automatically receive a link to the program. If you are not a member and would like to take advantage of this member benefit Join Now

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


Upcoming Schedule
  
Programs subject to change.  All presentations begin at 7pm EST, unless otherwise noted.

November 9:  Conal Creedon - topic TBA


The Butler Literary Award


The Butler Literary Award 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. In 2018 the Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI) revived the award and changed its focus to emerging literary writers in Ireland. It is offered every two years.

The 2022 Butler Literary Award will be for what the judges deem the best first publication by an Irish writer in any literary form, or a first publication in a new form by an already published writer, in the period between 1 August 2020 and 30 June 2022.


This year’s judges are Wendy Erskine, short story writer; Dr. Eibhear Walshe, novelist, critic, and Director of Creative writing, University College Cork; and Helen Meany, journalist and arts consultant.


The judging panel is chaired by Catherine Marshall, curator and art historian, and member of the Board of Directors of the IACI.

The award for $2,000, it is hoped, will be of benefit to emerging Irish writers in terms of critical recognition, publicity, and financial aid.

The judges have shortlisted nine titles for the 2022 Butler Literary Award. They are as follows:


Ana Maria Crowe Serrano, In the Dark, Turas Press, 2021

Naoise Dolan, Exciting Times, Orion, 2021

Olivia Fitzsimons, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, John Murray, 2022

Victoria Kennefick, Eat Or We Both Starve, Carcanet, 2021

Roisin Kiberd, The Disconnect, Profile Books, 2021

John Patrick McHugh, Pure Gold, New Island Books, 2021

Kerri Ní Dochartaigh, Thin Places, Canongate, 2021

Megan Nolan, Acts of Desperation, Jonathan Cape, 2021

Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Auguries of a Minor God, Faber & Faber, 2021 


Commenting on the shortlist, the judges said that they were struck by the wealth of talent among emerging writers in Ireland at present, writing in all forms, from essays to memoirs, poetry, novels, and the short story. “The calibre of writing was so high that we decided to have an expanded shortlist this year. We think that this list showcases the originality, literary playfulness, depth, and verve that made the selection process a pleasure.”


The selection includes two poetry collections, one from Victoria Kennefick, exploring history, religion, food, and the body, and the other from Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, offering her ambitously inventive reflections on global politics, exile, and love. John Patrick McHugh’s short-story collection, set in an island community, is full of exuberant energy and black humor. There are four novels, two that explore aspects of contemporary sexual politics, relationships, and identity from the perspectives of young women, by Naoise Dolan and Megan Nolan; a compelling historical novel set in the Spanish Civil War by Ana Maria Crowe Serrana, and an excavation of family secrets in rural Northern Ireland by Olivia Fitzsimons. Sparkling personal essays by Roisin Kiberd and an intense fusion of memoir and nature- writing by Kerri ní Dochartaigh complete the list.

 

The winner of the Award will be announced, in tandem with the biannual O’Malley Visual Art Award at a reception at the University of Limerick (Home of the O’Malley Art Collection) on Wednesday September 28th 2022.

The judging panel for the O’Malley Visual Arts Award of €5,000 was made up of Sean Lynch, artist curator and writer, Johanne Mullan, curator, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Helena Tobin, Curator and director, South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel. The panel was convened and chaired by Catherine Marshall on behalf of the IACI.

The Irish Way Program

The Irish Way is a study abroad program in Ireland offered to high school students.  

During the summer in Ireland, students are introduced to its magical landscape and rich heritage through a variety of workshops, classes, and tours.  Emphasizing culture, education, travel, safety, and fun, our programs ensure a unique and unforgettable journey for every student.  Learn More


A Message From Our Patron


"I am delighted to be Patron of the Irish American Cultural Institute, an organisation that does such valuable work in strengthening and maintaining the important links that exist between Ireland and America.  Here in Ireland we are very proud of our wider global family, and feel a special connection with the United States who have welcomed so many generations of Irish emigrants into their communities.  We are deeply appreciative of all that the Irish American community contributes to our country, of the pride you still feel for your Irish heritage and culture and of your dedication to maintaining and showcasing that culture to other communities across the globe." 

MICHAEL D. HIGGINS, President of Ireland


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.


Duchas

 

This informative e-newsletter offers members insights into Irish culture, history, and the latest happenings at the IACI. Besides providing updates on IACI programming, this publication offers feature articles, educational information, book reviews, and a wealth of other information.  It's Irish American culture, delivered straight to your e-mail inbox!  Click here to sign up!
 
We invite IACI members to share their stories, events, pictures, book/movie reviews, recipes, etc.    To submit material, click here.  
Eire-Ireland

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.” The journal is available in print and electronic versions.  Learn More


Shop at Amazon.com and Support the IACI!


AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the IACI every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the IACI. Shop Now