UCD and the Abbey Theatre Shakespeare Lectures, begin on 11th May 2016. These annual talks bring together actors and academics to discuss how, why and where Shakespeare matters in Ireland, and in the “shared language” and cultural memory President Michael D. Higgins celebrated on his 2014 visit to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon.

This year, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, our venues include the National Library of Ireland, the Pearse Museum and the Abbey, with speakers from UCD, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, King’s College, London, and the University of St Andrews, as well as the UCD Ad Astra Scholars and leading Irish actors.

Supported by the UCD College of Arts and Humanities Distinguished Speakers Series Funding

11th May, 7pm, Pearse Museum:Prof. Andrew Murphy (University of St Andrews), ‘Shakespeare and Irish Radicalism: The Road to 1916’

With Owen Roe (King Lear at the Abbey (2013))

12th May, 5pm, Abbey Theatre (Peacock):Prof. Gordon McMullan (King’s College, London), ‘Remembering and Forgetting Shakespeare in 1916’

27th May, 4pm, Abbey Theatre (Peacock): Dr Farah Karim-Cooper (Shakespeare’s Globe), ‘Gesture on the Shakespearean Stage’

With Marty Rea (Richard II in DruidShakespeare 2015; Iago in Othello at the Abbey, 2016)

9th June, National Library, 7pm: Prof. Margaret Kelleher (UCD) and Prof. Danielle Clarke (UCD): ‘An “Irish Mode”? The Literary Writings and Legacy of Thomas MacDonagh.’ A conversation between Prof. Kelleher and Prof. Clarke of UCD School of English, Drama and Film

With the UCD Ad Astra Drama Scholars

All events are free. Tickets must be pre-booked at www.ucd.ie/alumni/events (for 11th May and 9th June events) or at the Abbey www.abbeytheatre.ie (for 12th and 27th May events).