The Centre for Irish Studies is:
A collaborative project involving Murdoch University, the Australian-Irish Heritage Association and staff members of other Western Australian universities.
It aims to develop an understanding and appreciation of:
* The Scattering of the Irish people.
* The Irish contribution to the development of Australia, culturally, economically and politically.
* Contemporary Ireland.
To achieve this, it will arrange courses, seminars and lectures on:
* The migration of the Irish to Australia and their impact.
* The literature, language, history, art, music and dance of Ireland and Irish-Australia.
* Historical and contemporary Ireland.
* The Irish in Australia, past and present.
* The colonisation of Ireland and Australia and its impact on indigenous cultures.
Other effects are expected to be:
Bringing together the strengths of all WA universities. Creating a deeper understanding by students of their own cultural heritage. Providing a cultural focus for the Australian-Irish community. Helping the further development of Irish cultural organisations, eg the WB Yeats Society. Acting as a clearing house for information about Irish Studies in Australia and overseas Facilitating joint research projects and staff/student exchanges. Inculcating a deeper our understanding, particularly by students of Australian and ethnic studies, of our multi-cultural society. Providing as a resource centre
How the Centre will function.
Broadly speaking the universities involved will concentrate on the academic work of the Centre, eg arranging post-graduate courses, seminars and conferences and the integration of general Irish studies with the Centre. Murdoch will provide specified administrative support, eg an equipped office, and the Director (currently Associate/Professor Bob Reece). The AIHA will deal with the extension aspects, ie arranging seminars, lectures and other events for the general public and its own members. The AIHA will establish the Irish Heritage Scholarship Foundation to provide scholarships, research grants etc and the Executive Officer, (currently Ian Chambers, in an honorary capacity). The AIHA will also be represented on the Centre's Board of Governors and the Scholarship Assessment Committee
It goes without saying that these arrangements are not set in stone but give an indication of where we are going and how we intend to set about it. With all due modesty we can assure members that the Centre, the first in Australia, would not have been established without the AIHA and all members can take pride in this achievement.
Click here for Centre for Irish Studies web page.
The Executive Officer of the Centre for Irish Studies is Ian Chambers
Phone (08) 93602366