"The Irish-American Link: People, Places and Culture" Conference Launch

The Old Tuam Society is pleased to announce that we will host an inaugural conference, entitled "The Irish-American Link: People, Places and Culture", to be held in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, Co. Galway from July 12-16th, 2012.

The aim of this conference is to explore historic connections between the West of Ireland and North America. It is intended to focus on historical figures, emigration history, culture and genealogy. It will involve twenty-eight lectures over three days and two tours, which will explore the “Hidden Heritage of East and West Galway”.

As well as history and important historical figures, the conference programme will have a strong emphasis on the cultural links between the West of Ireland and North America. The audience will be composed of a mixture of academics and the general public.

Another major element of the conference will be a commemoration of the life, career and family history of Governor Hugh Carey. The conference will feature lectures on the contribution of Hugh Carey to the political life of Ireland and the U.S. This will culminate with the unveiling of a plaque in Milltown, Co Galway, from where his antecedents emigrated to the United States.

The conference will be hosted by the Old Tuam Society in partnership with Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, U.S.A.; Galway County Council; Centre for Irish Studies, N.U.I., Galway; and Galway County Heritage Forum. For the full speaker line-up and conference agenda please see www.irishamericanlink.com.

We are delighted to announce the official launch of our brochure and website on Friday, 27th April at the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam at 6.30pm. Please see invite below.