About The Canadian Irish Studies Foundation

Since its creation in 1995, the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation has achieved an impressive list of accomplishments, which include:

Raising more than $3.5 million dollars.
Receiving major grants from the Government of Canada ($500,000), the Government of Quebec ($500,000), the Government of Ireland ($200,000) and grants of $100,000 from the Royal Bank, Canadian Pacific, the Bank of Montreal, the McConnell Foundation, St. Patrick's Society of Montreal, the Montreal St. Patrick's Foundation, and grants of $80,000 from Petro Canada, Imasco, and grants of $50,000 from Bombardier and Power Corporation.
Organized two Nights at the Races at the Hippodrome, each of which raised $80,000.
Received a collection of 60 paintings by Canadian artist Sheila Maloney, which recount the story of Irish emigration to Canada during the Famine years. The collection was purchased by Brian Levitt (cost: $50,000) and donated to the Foundation. They are now on permanent display at Concordia University.

Working in partnership with Concordia University, the Foundation has played a central role in the following:

The creation of a Chair in Canadian Irish Studies, the first of its kind in Canada
The establishment of the Centre for Canadian Irish Studies, now re-classified as the School of Canadian Irish Studies, an academic unit within the Faculty of Arts and Science
Offers more than twenty rotating courses from ten departments, usually six each year, with enrollment of more than 200 students
An Irish Public Lecture Series which brings distinguished speakers to Concordia (more than 80 since its inception)
A visit by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney to Montreal to receive an Honorary Degree from Concordia University
A visit (Fall 2003) by former Irish Prime Minister, Dr. Garret FitzGerald
Thirteen fully funded scholarships for students in the program
Maintains a List Serve (approx. 1500 individuals) who receive information related to Irish academic and cultural events in Montreal and Canada
Organizes community outreach events (an evening on Griffintown with former residents; a one-person show on Thomas D'Arcy McGee) that reflect aspects of the history of the Irish in Montreal

The Canadian Irish Studies Foundation usually publishes three Newsletters a year which are sent to approximately 2,000 people on our database.