History

HISTORY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE

 

The Inter-university Centre for Irish Studies (CISIRL), established in 2021, seeks to build a strong and fruitful collaborative relationship between its four long-established member universities:

 

As the project does not require funding, it incurs no expense for the University of Turin, but, in accordance with its statutes, it is open to receiving funding from entities and individuals who wish to sponsor its projects.

 

The University of Turin has been identified as the project leader. Professor Irene De Angelis will be the first Director of the Interdepartmental Centre with a three-year tenure, after which the University of Florence will succeed to this role, in the person of Professor Fiorenzo Fantaccini.

 

The project has already been confirmed by the Council of Departments of each of the four universities involved.

 

Unlike other European academic bodies, the centre is the only one of its kind at a national level. CISIRL aims to:

  • promote scholarly research relating to Eire, Ulster, and the Irish diaspora;
  • promote university education through seminars and joint and group lectures;
  • act as a meeting place for Italian and foreign scholars and as a location for cultural and educational dissemination through Public Engagement initiatives and interactions with the local area;
  • act as a point of contact between academic institutions and bodies outside of the university, both Italian and foreign, that are interested in research in the field of Irish culture, with a view to facilitate the spread of the fruits of research;
  • promote the fruits of research by means of publications and the organisation of and/or participation in conferences, cultural events, and exhibitions.

 

These aims will be pursued:

  • by means of possible funding – not excluding collaboration with other entities (natural or legal persons) – for the development of research projects; the Centre has already established relations with EFACIS (European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies) and the Eire Embassy in Italy;
  • by means of the organisation of appropriate cultural initiatives of an academic, informative and “Third Mission” nature;
  • by means of opening channels of collaboration with national and foreign institutions and with private entrepreneurs.