PAST PROGRAMS
June 6th Thursday 5:30pm
“A Labor of Love: Private Charity during the Great Hunger,” a lecture by historian Christine Kinealy
May 17th Friday 1:00 – 4:30pm
“Exploring the Legacies of the Great Hunger: The Cultural, Spiritual, Psychological and Political Consequences for Today’s Ireland from Centuries of Colonization” A symposium with Dr. Christine Kinealy and Dr. Garrett O’Connor hosted by Quinnipiac University
Dr. Christine Kinealy, a visiting professor in residence at Quinnipiac University, who is known internationally for her ground-breaking research on the Great Hunger, and Dr. Garrett O’Connor, an internationally recognized psychiatrist who specializes in addiction and healing, will present at the symposium.
This event was held in The Grand Courtroom at Quinnipiac University’s Mount Carmel Campus.
May 9th Thursday 5:30pm
Lecture and Book Signing by Christopher Conway
Christopher Conway, an Irish-American author, will discuss and sign his new book “The Road to God Knows Where,” at 5:30 pm on Thursday May 9, at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at Quinnipiac University. The book signing will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. This event was sponsored by Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services.
May 2nd Thursday 5:30pm
“A Labor of Love: Private Charity during the Great Hunger,” a lecture by historian Christine Kinealy
Professor Christine Kinealy, a world-renowned authority on the Irish Famine, will deliver the free community lecture, “A Labor of Love: Private Charity during the Great Hunger,” from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. Kinealy, who is a visiting scholar in residence at Quinnipiac University, will frame her discussion around her forthcoming book, “The Kindness of Strangers,” which explores the role private charity played in saving lives during the Famine.
April 18th Thursday 5:30pm
Lecture and Book Signing by Tim Pat Coogan, Author of “The Famine Plot”
Author Tim Pat Coogan will discuss his latest book, “The Famine Plot,” and hold a book signing at the museum from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. “The Famine Plot” offers fresh insights into the famine’s causes, its unspeakable effects, the legacy of the famine mentality that followed immigrants across the Atlantic to the shores of the United States and the lasting effects on the population left behind.
Coogan, who is one of Ireland’s best known writers, wrote the 1966 book, “Ireland Since The Rising,” which was the first history of the 50 years that followed the 1916 Rising. Coogan’s other works include best-selling biographies of Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera.
March 28th Thursday 5:00pm
Reading by Irish Poet Desmond Egan
Desmond Egan, founder and artistic director of the Gerard Manley Hopkins International Festival, will read his poetry, including the acclaimed collection “Famine,” at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at 5:00pm. Following the reading, Egan will answer questions from the audience.
Egan, a full time writer who lives near Newbridge in County Kildare, has published 23 poetry collections. His poem, “Peace,” was translated into 35 languages as part of the “Peace for the Millennium” celebration. Egan has won numerous awards for his poetry during his career, including the Macedonian Poetry Prize, the Bologna Literary Award, The Farrell Prize, and the National Poetry Foundation of USA Award.
This event, which is sponsored by the English Department in the College of Arts and Sciences and Academic Affairs at Quinnipiac University, is free and open to the public.
March 14th Thursday 5:30pm
Musical performance by Irish and American Folk Artist Danny Quinn
Danny Quinn, an Irish and American folk musician, will perform from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. Quinn, who has been entertaining audiences for nearly three decades, has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and England at concerts, coffee houses, festivals, corporate events and pubs. In addition to being an engaging entertainer, Quinn is also an accomplished songwriter with more than 40 published songs to his credit.
March 3rd Sunday 2:00pm
Lecture on Connecticut’s Irish Regiment During the Civil War at the New Haven Museum
The New Haven Museum, The Connecticut Irish American Historical Society, and Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at Quinnipiac University are pleased to present a lecture on the 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Connecticut’s Irish regiment. The voices of the 9th Regiment, which included many of New Haven’s Irish, will be heard through Bob Larkin’s lecture at the New Haven Museum on Sunday March 3 at 2pm.
February 7th Thursday 5:30pm
Lecture and Book Signing by John Kelly, Author of “The Graves are Walking”
Author John Kelly will discuss his latest book, “The Graves are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People,” from 5:30 to 6pm. Kelly will then hold a book signing from 6 to 7pm. “The Graves are Walking” is a magisterial account of one of the worst disasters to strike humankind – the Great Irish Potato Famine – conveyed as lyrical narrative history from the acclaimed author. Praised by historians and President Clinton, the book is deeply researched, compelling in its humanity and startling in its conclusions about the decisions behind this tragedy.
January 24th Thursday 5:30pm
Fiddle performance by Marie Reilly
Marie Reilly, a premier Irish fiddler who recently released her new album “The Anvil,” will perform from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Reilly, who is from County Longford, performs with a unique and distinctive Leitrim fiddle style passed down through eight generations. She was born into a family steeped in Irish traditional music; her grandfather, father and uncles were all distinctive fiddle players.
January 22nd Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00pm
Business After Hours
The Hamden Chamber of Commerce and Quinnipiac University’s community radio station AM 1220 WQUN are hosting a Business After Hours at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum. Guests from the greater Hamden business community will see the museum’s critically acclaimed collection. Attendees will also receive a free ticket to the Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s hockey game versus The University of Connecticut at the TD Bank Sports Center immediately following the event.
Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to hcc@hamdenchamber.com or 203-288-6431. Visit www.hamdenchamber.com for more information. Parking is available on Woodruff Street.
January 1st–4th Tuesday–Friday 10pm
Broadcast Blighted Nation
Recorded in Ireland and New York, Blighted Nation explores how our country’s past resonates in the 21st century. In four one-hour radio programs broadcast on January 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 10pm on RTE Radio 1 in Ireland, Blighted Nation will explore the arrival of the blight and its catastrophic consequences, Britain’s response to the famine, mass emigration as well as its aftermath and legacy. Listeners can also hear the program topics discussed in more detail at www.rte.ie/blightednation (podcasts available for downloading)
November 8th Thursday 6pm
Lecture An Gorta Mór and ‘The Dismal Science’ of Political Economy
Given by David A. Valone, Professor and Chair of History, Quinnipiac University at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, 3011 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518
Light refreshments to be served prior to the lecture