We have extended the deadline for our CALL FOR PAPERS for 
this conference:
Changes in Contemporary Ireland: Texts and Contexts
Loughborough University	11-12 September 2009

Plenary Speakers
Tina O’Toole, ‘The Impact of International Feminism on 
Irish Activism’
Eamonn Jordan, ‘Challenges Facing Irish Theatre 
Scholarship
Paddy Lyons, "Is Irish Gay Writing Progressive?"
Irene Gilsenan Nordin, ‘Changes in Contemporary Irish 
Women’s Poetry’
Ailbhe Smyth, 'Talking About Girls, Feminism, Ireland and 
Losing the Plot'

EXTENDED DEADLINE: 10 August
We invite abstracts for a two-day international Irish 
Studies conference at Loughborough University. The 
conference is intended to cover all aspects of Irish 
Studies, including but not limited to Literature, Drama, 
Cultural Studies, Sociology, Media and Film Studies, 
Sport, Geography and History.
The focus of the conference is an exploration of the 
radical change in Irish society over the past three 
decades. The 1980s saw a sea change in Irish society. In 
the wake of the Kerry Babies case, the death of a teenage 
mother in Granard, and numerous sex scandals in the church 
and political scandals in the state, creative 
practitioners now confronted contentious issues, and we 
welcome papers examining the resultant artistic output.
Irish theatre has undergone a variety of renaissances and 
revivals. This conference seeks to explore the development 
of the genre post 1980 taking into account the ending of 
the Troubles, the ceasefire, the Good Friday Agreement and 
the revitalisation of Irish theatre on the West End and 
Broadway stages. We welcome papers on plays, playwrights 
and performances post 1980 which reflect upon the cultural 
upheavals and changes in Irish national identity, 
international and global influences, and the emergence of 
the ‘Celtic Tiger’. We also welcome papers commenting on 
wider social change, political developments and cultural 
events.
Proposals of 200-250 words should be submitted by 10 
August 2009 to:
Catherine Rees: [log in to unmask]
and Deirdre O’Byrne: [log in to unmask]