On the Road: Irish Travellers

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 08 February 2023 > What's On

Equestrian performer Bartabas started his “Cabaret of Exile” series with a show about the Jewish culture of Eastern Europe. Now he has focused on Irish Travellers for his latest Zingaro show, that has proved so popular that it has doubled its run. This is the first time that a show in France has paid tribute … Continue reading “On the Road: Irish Travellers”

Martin Parr’s Ireland and England

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 28 November 2022 > What's On

Veteran British street photographer Martin Parr  is well known for capturing quirky images that make you wonder what is happening. There are lots on view at two exhibitions in Paris, at the Irish Cultural Centre and the Fondation Henri Bresson. Parr hails from Surrey in southern England but has been photographing Irish subjects for over … Continue reading “Martin Parr’s Ireland and England”

New Reading Guide: Brooklyn

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 09 August 2022 > Pedagogy

A new addition to the programme limitatif LLCER anglais Terminale is Brooklyn by Irish novelist Colm Tóibín (2009). It’s a very approachable novel covering themes of exile, homesickness, first love and personal choice. We’re preparing a Reading Guide for the novel, coming out just after the Toussaint holidays. Brooklyn is set in 1950s Ireland and … Continue reading “New Reading Guide: Brooklyn”

Bloomsday 100

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 10 June 2022 > Celebrate

In 1922, James Joyce’s landmark novel Ulysses was published in Paris, since it wouldn’t have passed censorship rules in his native Ireland. Every 16 June, Joyce fans pay homage to the book, which takes place over one day on 16 June, by dressing in period costume and acting out scenes from the novel. Ulysses was … Continue reading “Bloomsday 100”

Irish Legends: Wolfwalkers

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 25 October 2021 > What's On

Tomm Moore’s animated films are rooted in Irish folklore and history. After fairies in Brendan and the Book of Kells and selkies in Song of the Sea, the heroes of his latest film are wolfwalkers, which he describes as “benign Celtic werewolves”. The film is set in 1650, when Cromwell’s English army had put down … Continue reading “Irish Legends: Wolfwalkers”

James Joyce and Bloomsday

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 09 June 2021 > Celebrate

Ireland has a rich literary heritage and is fond of honouring it. On 16 June every year, it is author James Joyce who is remembered, as Joyce fans all over Ireland and the world celebrate Bloomsday in honour of his novel Ulysses. Ulysses, published in 1922, consists of 18 episodes mirroring Homer’s Odyssey and takes … Continue reading “James Joyce and Bloomsday”

My Name is Artemis, Artemis Fowl

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 06 July 2020 > What's On

Irish author Eoin Colfer imagined Artemis Fowl as a 12-year-old James Bond villain in a battle with the fairy underworld. The eight books starring the teen criminal mastermind have millions of fans, and there is now a film version directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film release was delayed by lockdown and was finally released directly … Continue reading “My Name is Artemis, Artemis Fowl”

Singing the Great Famine

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 27 March 2019 > What's On

One of Ireland’s most popular folk singer-songwriters, Declan O’Rourke, spent fifteen years writing a song cycle of stories about the Great Irish Famine. He’ll be presenting his award-winning songs at the Irish Cultural Centre on Thursday 4 April. Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine has been hailed as O’Rourke’s masterpiece, and he received the prestigious … Continue reading “Singing the Great Famine”