From June 17–19, researchers Evita-Marie Di Falco, Katherine Diamond, and Samara O’Gorman travelled to Québec City to attend the annual Canadian Association for Irish Studies (CAIS) Conference. Hosted on the expansive campus of Université Laval, this year’s conference explored the global and transnational dimensions shaping the study of Ireland today.
Katherine Diamond Presenting at CAIS Conference
The conference opened with the Marianna O’Gallagher Lecture, delivered by Dr. Timothy McMahon, and featured leading scholars in Irish Studies from across Canada and around the world. Presentations covered a diverse range of topics, offering attendees the opportunity to explore how Ireland and its people continue to inspire innovative research on identity, language, politics, history, and culture.
The CIMPN also shared its own research initiatives during the conference. Katherine Diamond, of the Preserving and Showcasing Irish Heritage in Québec Project, presented the newest initiative, the Irish Mile™ Digital Map, which is supported by the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise. Her presentation, titled “The Irish Mile: Digital Mapping and Landscapes of Memory,” examined how digital mapping technologies can help researchers from a variety of disciplines visualize patterns of transatlantic migration between Ireland and Québec while preserving the stories embedded within these landscapes of memory.
The conference provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build new connections, and showcase the CIMPN’s ongoing work to an international audience. The organization looks forward to returning for the 2027 CAIS Conference to share further developments on the Irish Mile Digital Map and engage once again with the vibrant community of Irish Studies scholars.