The Irish Institute for Catholic Studies (IICS) at Mary Immaculate College is delighted and honoured to welcome researchers, academics, educators, postgraduate students and members of the public to a one-day seminar on

Catholic Studies in Ireland. The seminar ‘Catholic Studies in Ireland: Challenging, Constructive and Critical Voices’ title showcases contemporary interdisciplinary research on the nascent academic area of Catholic Studies in Ireland. As an

interdisciplinary area, Catholic Studies is in critical dialogue with the intellectual contribution of Catholicism to philosophical, theological, educational, and social

debates, past and present. It critically explores the expression and embodiment of Catholic themes and sensibility in various subjects, including fine arts,

literature, architecture, media, and music. Further, this Catholic Studies seminar explores the ancient and diverse Catholic tradition and its impact on life in Ireland, past and present, in a spirit of scholarly rigour and academic freedom.

This Catholic Studies seminar is delighted to host two keynotes: one by Professor Fainche Ryan (TCD) on the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s most remarkable artistic, religious, and historic treasures, and another by Professor Liam Gearon (Oxford) on Enlightenment’s Empire and Apocalyptic Modernity: Religion and Education Revisited, which involves a re-evaluation of the Enlightenment’s all pervasive

critique of religion.

The Catholic Studies Seminar aims to create a welcoming, hospitable space for dialogue that reflects the wide spectrum of perspectives on Catholicism in Ireland and divergent interpretations of its impact on social and cultural life in historic and contemporary Ireland. It features over 25 short papers from scholars who present and discuss exciting and emerging research in the field. The seminar aims to foster dialogue across diverse disciplines that contribute to Catholic Studies, while connecting contemporary and historical issues. Papers will explore the intersections of Catholicism with cultural, social, and religious contexts, events and ideas. The range of disciplines represented in this seminar includes education, history, Irish language, literature, philosophy, theology and

inter-religious dialogue. The seminar will provide participants with an exciting opportunity to reflect critically on the place of Catholicism in Ireland’s academic,

cultural and social landscape.

PATRICIA KIERAN

Associate Professor Associate Professor in Religious Education

Learning, Society & Religious Education

Director, Irish Institute for Catholic Studies (IICS)

Email: IICS@mic.ul.ie

Patricia.Kieran@mic.ul.ie

Edited by Liam Francis Gearon and Arniika Kuusistothis (2025) at this seminar. Congratulations to Liam and Arniika!

From Limerick City: Travel straight up O’Connell St. and O’Connell Avenue until you come to Punch’s Cross then turn right onto New Street. At the end of that road continue straight at the roundabout onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your right.

From M7/N18 Motorway: The College is located on the South Circular Road just off the main M7/N18 Limerick/Dublin motorway. Take exit 2 off the N18 (M7) towards Dock Road / City Centre. Turn right off Dock Road at James Barry Motors onto Courtbrack Avenue. The entrance to the College will be on your left.

Mary Immaculate College is just a 15 minute walk from Limerick’s Train and Bus Station, Colbert Station. From there, regular Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services conveniently connect Limerick to towns and cities throughout Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Tralee, Killarney, Ennis, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Westport, sligo and Belfast (via Dublin).