A lecture by Patrick Lonergan, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at the National University of Ireland, Galway and Spring 2019 Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies at Boston College.

Since 2016, relations between Ireland and England have come under growing strain, with debates about Brexit placing renewed focus on each country’s attitude to national sovereignty. That debate has coincided with a significant increase in Irish productions of Shakespeare, many of which comment both directly and indirectly on contemporary political controversies. Far from being a new development, the exploration of Anglo-Irish relations through Shakespeare has been underway since at least 1916. This lecture tracks that history, showing its impact on great Irish writers from Joyce to Heaney – and on great actors like Orson Welles, Fiona Shaw, and many others.

Following the lecture, all are invited to enjoy a reception in Burns Library from 6:00pm-7:00pm. We also encourage to attendees to hear Alvin Jackson speak at 7:00pm on "The Survival of the United Kingdom, 1707-2017: Bloodshed, Borders, and Brexit," a lecture in the Lowell Humanities Series, which will be held in Gasson Hall, Room 100. Jackson is Richard Lodge Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh.

For general directions and parking information, please refer to the University's Admissions site. We recommend parking in the Commonwealth Garage.