Irish American Cultural Institute Records
Scope and Contents
The Irish American Cultural Institute Records feature materials that document the origin and development of the Institute, detailed information about individual city chapters of the IACI, subject files on various IACI-related individuals or events, correspondence and newspaper articles chronicling the work of the Institute.
Dates
- created: 1960-1992
Creator
- Irish American Cultural Institute (Organization)
- McKiernan, John Thomas (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of the collection for research purposes
Conditions Governing Use
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply.
Biographical or Historical Information
Irish American Cultural Institute (1964-Present) was incorporated in St. Paul, MN, in 1964 by Dr. Eoin McKiernan, then chair of the College of St Thomas English Department, to encourage, develop and grow relationships between Ireland and America, and in particular those Americans who recognize their lineage as Irish. McKiernan recognized the need for responsible, sophisticated educational programming that would strengthen the Irish-American relationship.
The Irish American Cultural Institute (IACI) developed locally based “chapters” across the United States and in Ireland and beyond, as well as individual memberships. Early promotional literature stressed “filial gratitude” to Ireland. Importantly, the IACI stayed clear of any religious or political stances and focused its efforts instead on Irish artistic, literary and musical promotion in the United States.
The IACI launched ÉIRE-IRELAND, a scholarly journal of Irish studies in 1965. It established the Butler Literary Awards in 1966, which eventually became the IACI Literary Awards, to recognize writers in both the Irish and the English language, all of whom were residents of Ireland. Public lectures were a part of the IACI’s programming from the start; in the 1970s, these were formalized into the Irish Fortnight, a two-week event that spanned the country featuring Irish intellectuals and entertainers. In the 1980s the Irish Fortnight evolved into the Irish Luncheon Circle, which featured speakers on a less frequent basis. This, in turn was followed by the Irish Perceptions series.
In addition to lecture series and publications, the IACI boasted a powerful Irish-American board highlighted by the service of HRH Princess Grace de Monaco as International Chairman until her death. All Presidents of Ireland from Eamon de Valera forward served as Official Patrons of the IACI, a distinction unique to the IACI.
The IACI and its affiliated chapters also mounted theater and film festivals and symposia, and the organization supported ad hoc cultural events periodically—for instance, the commission and performance of symphonies. The IRISH WAY study abroad program for high school students was established in 1976 and grew to be one of the flagship programs of the IACI. In 1995, the IACI moved its headquarters to Morristown, New Jersey, where the organization currently resides.
Extent
29.55 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Method of Acquisition
This collection was transferred from the Irish American Cultural Institute to the Department of Special Collection in two accessions, July 1990 and September 1992.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Melissa Murphy and Ann Kenne in 2010 - 2011.
Subject
- Irish American Cultural Institute (Organization)
- McKiernan, John Thomas, 1915-2004 (Person)
- Blythe, Ernest, 1889-1975 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Brooke, Basil, Sir, 1888-1973 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Carter, Jimmy, 1924 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Childers, Erskine, 1870-1922 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Cosgrave, Liam -- Correspondence (Person)
- Daley, Richard J., 1902-1976 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Danaher, Kevin -- Correspondence (Person)
- De Bhaldraithe, Tomás -- Correspondence (Person)
- De Fréine, Seán -- Correspondence (Person)
- De Valera, Éamon, 1882-1975 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Deane, Seamus, 1940- -- Correspondence (Person)
- Dunleavy, Gareth W. -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ferran, Brian -- Correspondence (Person)
- Friel, Brian -- Correspondence (Person)
- Galvin, Patrick, 1927-2011 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Hartnett, Michael, 1941-1999 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Kennelly, Brendan -- Correspondence. (Person)
- Kinsella, Thomas -- Correspondence (Person)
- Lynam, Shevawn -- Correspondence (Person)
- Lynch, John, 1917-1999 -- Correspondence (Person)
- MacAnna, Tomas -- Correspondence (Person)
- MacMahon, Bryan, 1909-1998 -- Correspondence (Person)
- MacLysaght, Edward -- Correspondence (Person)
- Mac Siacuis, Risteard, 1912- -- Correspondence (Person)
- Martin, Liam C., 1934- -- Correspondence (Person)
- McCarthy, Eugene J., 1916-2005 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Miller, Liam -- Correspondence (Person)
- Moloney, Paddy -- Correspondence (Person)
- Montague, John -- Correspondence (Person)
- Murphy, Terrence J., 1920-2004 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Murray, William Cotter -- Correspondence (Person)
- O’Brien, Conor Cruise, 1917-2008 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó Conaire, Pádraig Óg, 1893-1971 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó Dálaigh, Cearbhall, 1911-1978 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó Doibhlin, Breandán -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó Fiaich, Tomás -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó Gadhra, Nollaig -- Correspondence (Person)
- O’Grady, Desmond, 1935- -- Correspondence (Person)
- O’hAodha, Michael -- Correspondence (Person)
- Ó hEithir, Breandán, 1930- -- Correspondence (Person)
- O’Riain, Flann -- Correspondence (Person)
- O’Rourke, Colm -- Correspondence (Person)
- Grace, Princess of Monaco, 1929-1982 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Pyle, Hilary -- Correspondence (Person)
- Redshaw, Thomas Dillon, 1944- -- Correspondence (Person)
- Reynolds, Mairead -- Correspondence (Person)
- Rosenstock, Gabriel -- Correspondence (Person)
- Rushe, Desmond -- Correspondence (Person)
- Saul, George Brandon, 1901-1986 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Shannon, James P., 1921-2003 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Shriver, Eunice Kennedy -- Correspondence (Person)
- Sullivan, A. M. (Aloysius Michael), 1896-1980 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Potter, A. J. (Archibald James), 1918-1980. Symphonies, no. 2 (Person)
Genre / Form
- Albums (Books)
- Business correspondence
- Business records
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Lectures
- Scores
- Sound recordings
- Symphonies
Topical
- Authors, Irish -- 20th century -- Correspondence
- English literature -- Irish authors -- 20th century
- Irish Americans -- Societies, etc.
- Irish literature -- 20th century
- Language and culture -- Ireland
Uniform Title
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the University of St. Thomas Archives & Manuscript Collections Repository
Department of Special Collections, LL09 O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul MN 55105-1096 US
651-962-5467
uarchives@stthomas.edu