Kevin Whelan, Smurfit Director of the Keough Naughton Notre Dame Study Center in Dublin, Ireland, will discuss the role of sports in Irish culture during the University of Notre Dame’s annual “Why Irish?” colloquium.
Titled “The Sporting Irish,” the lecture is free and open to the public and will take place Oct. 16 (Friday) at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Hesburgh Center for International Studies.
The talk will examine the rich and storied sporting legacy of the Irish people at home and abroad and will address the role of sport in Irish culture, why sports are important to the Irish and how they excelled.
One of Ireland’s best known and widely published historians, Whelan has published numerous books and articles on Ireland’s history, geography and culture. He previously taught at University College Dublin, University College Galway and St. Patrick’s College Maynooth.
Whelan also is actively engaged in the public life of Ireland. Since 1996, he has served as historical advisor to the Irish government on the Great Famine and the 1798 Rebellion. A native of County Wexford, Ireland, Whelan received his bachelor’s degree from University College Dublin and doctorate from the National University of Ireland.
Sponsored by Notre Dame’s Department of Irish Language and Literature, “Why Irish?” brings international speakers to campus to examine the role of the Irish language in various disciplines.
Contact: Tara Macleod, Irish Language and Literature, 574-631-7615, Macleod.15@nd.edu