Organizers of the upcoming conference in Tuam, Co. Galway, are hoping that visitors from the U.S. will drop by to listen to some of the talks in a packed program exploring the links between the West of Ireland and North America.
As reported in the Echo a few weeks ago, the late Gov. Hugh Carey, the man credited with saving New York City from financial ruin in the 1970s, will be discussed by scholar Terry Golway and at a later session genealogist Anne Rodda will detail the Brooklynite’s family roots in nearby Milltown.
“The Irish-American Link: People, Places and Culture” will be based at the Ard Ri Hotel from July 12-16.
Said Prof. Christian Kinealy of Drew University in New Jersey: “The County of Galway is ideally placed both physically and geographically to host this important conference, which will bring together local historians, academics, folklore experts, genealogists and all who are interested in learning more about the links between the West of Ireland and North America.”
Two locals who took opposites sides during the American Civil War will be among those discussed: Major Dick Dowling, considered a hero of Confederate Texas, and Col. Patrick Kelly, who was killed leading the North’s Irish Brigade in 1864. In all, there will be 28 lectures over the three weekend days, while the Thursday and the Monday will be given over to full-day heritage tours of West and East Galway. For more details and information about booking, go to www.irishamericanlink.com.
