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The Center welcomes gifts to this Endowment in recognition of the tireless efforts of Bill Flynn to bring people from all parties and walks of life to the table to listen, to create an environment for open dialogue and to achieve positive change in the lives of everyone in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This Endowment ensures the quality and longevity of the Irish Studies academic and student engagement programs at the University, separate from the Center’s annual Friends of the Center Campaign, its annual Cultural Outreach Forum and funds raised specifically for study abroad and Irish Studies scholarships.
To make a gift, use button below or contact:
Professor Lori Gallagher
phone: 713-525-3592
email: IrishStudies@StThom.edu
The Annual Irish Gala raises funds for the Center for Irish Studies' scholarships, cultural events, academic programs and the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Endowment.
The Center for Irish Studies has a Circle of Friends that helps us raise operating funds for the Center.
The Center runs almost exclusively on donations.
This year we are pleased to announce a $10,000 match for our Friends’ gifts.
Become a Friend of the Center or renew your membership for this year.
We welcome donations at the following levels:
The Center hosts cultural outreach programs during the academic year.
We bring in speakers and cultural performers from all across Texas and the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Center runs this cultural program entirely on donations.
We invite members to join and/or renew their memberships at the following levels:
Join us and make a world of difference in cultural programming for the community.
We encourage you to join the Irish Club, Club Éireannach. It promotes the culture and heritage of Ireland.
Throughout the academic year, the club hosts a variety of events, including:
As the only program of its kind in the southwest, the Center‘s mission is to preserve Irish heritage and culture, promote peace and reconciliation, and serve as a premier Center for Irish and Irish American Studies.
With assistance from the Irish Government, courses are taught by scholars from Ireland.
The Center maintains a comprehensive list of links to research and resources of interest. Topics include but are not limited to:
Through the generosity of Pat Moran, former chair of the UST Board of Directors, the University has purchased a collection of historical and literary primary source materials under the direction of Dr. Joseph McFadden, UST president emeritus, in the McFadden-Moran Collection.
Highlights of the microfilm collection include:
The William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies proudly announces its current Advisory Board members, many of whom are Irish born or Irish-American.
Traditional and Folk Music from Ireland with Saundra and Tommy O’Sullivan and Sliabh Notes
Sliabh Notes brings together Sliabh Luachra’s instantly identifiable dance sound with songs and tunes that reflect the Irish contribution to music of the American south. Sliabh Notes is a traditional group from southwest Ireland, featuring Matt Cranitch from Cork, Donal Murphy from Abbeyfeale and Tommy O’Sullivan from Dingle.
Another highlight of the evening will be Saundra and Tommy O’Sullivan playing and singing Irish folk music for the first time at UST as a married duo.
The performance by Saundra and Tommy O’Sullivan is brought to you courtesy of a grant from Culture Ireland. Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide. This organization creates and supports opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Culture Ireland develops platforms to present outstanding Irish work to international audiences, through showcases at key global arts events, including the Edinburgh Festivals and the Venice Biennales.
St. Patrick’s Day Concert
with Danny O’Flaherty and Noel Nash
Celtic balladeers Danny O’Flaherty and Noel Nash will bring the precious ancient gifts of music, song, and storytelling to the University of St. Thomas for one performance only. Direct from Ireland, Noel Nash returns to perform with Galway native, Danny O’Flaherty, for a special St. Patrick’s Day concert.
Danny O’Flaherty has spent much of his life dedicated to preserving and promoting Celtic history and culture. Growing up in the Aran Islands and Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland, Danny experienced life as one of the last generations to be raised in the pure Gaelic culture. His first language is Irish Gaelic, and he developed a deep love of Irish song, dance, and storytelling, which his ancestors passed on to him during long winter nights spent around the turf fires.
Irish songwriter and musician, Noel Nash, was born and raised in County Limerick, Ireland. He was educated by the Christian Brothers and then went on to study at the School of Music in Limerick. Noel’s captivating vocals and stage presence led him to tour the United States with a series of concerts in New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Today Noel lives in Ballybunion, County Kerry, where he performs at The Cliff House Hotel during the summer months. Noel’s ability to create an intimate evening with the audience through his captivating stage presence and traditional musical mastery creates the atmosphere of being with friends at the local Irish pub wherever he performs.
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass
Celebrated by Rev. Richard McNeillie
Parking is available in the Moran Center, corner of West Alabama and Graustark.
Rev. Richard McNeillie will celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick at the University of St. Thomas’ Chapel of St. Basil.
Father Richard McNeillie is the vocations director for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Father McNeillie and others collaborate with groups such as parish vocation committees, catechists, youth ministers, Catholic schools, the Family Life Office, Serra clubs, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters of America, and others.
St. Patrick’s Day Brunch
Free and open to the public. RSVP at 713-525-3592 or gallagl@stthom.edu or patrick.mccarty@stthom.edu. RSVP Deadline is Monday, March 6, 2023 by Noon.
Join us for a brunch reception in the Scanlan Room at the top floor of the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Registration for this event is required and space is limited.
Paul Brock Band
High powered music from Ireland featuring four leading Irish musicians
Paul Brock Band is fronted by one of Ireland’s most celebrated traditional musicians: Paul Brock on button accordion and melodeon. The band also features Tipperary-born Denis Carey, who is an acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger. Other band members include award-winning multi-instrumentalist Brenda Dowling on flute, fiddle and concertina as well as fiddler/dancer/bodhran player Jake James. Jake is a two-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion.
A beacon of passion and precision, integrity and diversity, Paul Brock Band is steeped in the Irish musical tradition and yet manages to seamlessly and effortlessly blend and fold in elements from American old time and bluegrass, French-Canadian, and other Celtic traditions to create something accessible, recognizable, beautiful, and entirely unique. This ability is exemplified in the band’s album, “Green Grass Blue Grass”, featuring 15-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs. American music critic Bill Margeson has hailed the collaboration as a “masterpiece”.
Fourth Annual Gulf Coast Cruinniú
A Gathering of Traditional Irish Musicians and Fans
The Cruinniú is a project of the Houston School of Irish Music.
Classes, presentations, sessions and a concert! The organizers invite new or experienced Irish musicians and dancers to register for the workshops, cultural presentations and seisiúns (jam sessions) of the Cruinniú. This weekend is a special opportunity for players to learn from an unparalleled group of instructors from Ireland and the US.
Registration is required for the events and concert. Tickets may be purchased online. Visit https://gulfcoastirish.org for specific events and locations on campus, and contact gulfcoastirish@gmail.com with any questions.
Faculty Concert
The concert will be of special interest to the general public. It will offer high octane music, evocative songs and Sean-Nós (old style) dancing. This event will be a rare opportunity to experience Irish music and dance of such high caliber.
An Evening with Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall
October 20, 2020
watch now An Evening with Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall
“An Irish Christmas!” with Kathleen Keane & John Williams
December, 6, 2020
watch now “An Irish Christmas!” with Kathleen Keane & John Williams
Everybody Matters: From Peace Building through Human Rights to Climate Justice, presented by Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland
March 16, 2021
“Reconciliation and Peace: Walking in the shoes of the Other” presented by Rev. Bill Shaw
April 9, 2021
watch now Reconciliation and Peace: Walking in the shoes of the Other” presented by Rev. Bill Shaw
A Farther Shore: The Irish Civil War, presented by Dr. Gemma Clark and Dr. Gavin Foster
May 21, 2021
watch now A Farther Shore: The Irish Civil War, presented by Dr. Gemma Clark and Dr. Gavin Foster
2021 Irish Gala
November 12, 2021
2021 Christmas Concert
December 8, 2021
Watch Now 2021 Christmas Concert
Stand Up, Speak Out: My Life Working for Women’s Rights, Peace and Equality in Northern Ireland and Beyond, Presented by Monica McWilliams
February 1, 2022
Irish Women in Energy
March 8, 2022
Honoring Michele Malloy
Chaired by Judith Raines ’70 and David Kem
The William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies is celebrating its Emerald Anniversary! This year, we are delighted to honor Michele Malloy for her extraordinary support of UST, her incredible tenure of service to the Catholic Church through organizations such as Charity Guild of Catholic Women and the Order of Malta, her many contributions to the Greater Houston community, and her dedication to the Center for Irish Studies. Michele’s impressive history with UST includes serving on our Board of Directors for more than 10 years, and serving a term as our Chairwoman. Michele has been a constant source of support and guidance on the Center’s Advisory Board throughout its 20 years, and we are so grateful for her decades of advocacy. Of course, our evening of gratitude and celebration will include a spirited “Roast and Toast” to honor Michele in true Irish fashion.
The Irish Gala is instrumental in providing important funding for scholarships, academic programs, and the Flynn Center for Irish Studies Endowment. Many students depend on philanthropic funding to pursue courses in Irish Studies and study abroad opportunities in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
When: Friday, November 17, 2023, 6 pm
Where: Houstonian Hotel, 111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, TX 77024
Purchase a Table Underwriter Form
Contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or IrishGala@StThom.edu.
The UST William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies is proud to host the 2020 American Conference for Irish Studies international conference from April 1-4, 2020, in Houston, Texas.
We are pleased to announce that Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, will be our Keynote Speaker.
The theme of the conference is Borders, Borderlands and Bridges, pertinent 100 years after the 1920 Government of Ireland Act, which set forth legislation for partitioning the island of Ireland.
Our Address:
3800 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006
Where is that Exactly?:
Between Richmond Avenue and West Alabama next to Houston’s museum district, with quick access to 5 major highways.
9 min. to downtown Houston (2.4 miles)
8 min. to Texas Medical Center (2.2 miles)