Call for Papers

Irish Studies Permanent Section

Echoes of Hope: Resilience and Renewal in Irish Literature

2025 Midwest Modern Language Association Conference

14-16 November 2025

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI

This virtual panel welcomes proposals that speak to the ways in which Irish literature, past and present, offers visions of resilience, renewal, and the possibility of a brighter future. From the lyrical verses of W.B. Yeats to the contemporary narratives of Colm Tóibín and Marian Keyes, Irish writers have grappled with hardship, exile, and identity, yet running through these works is also a profound sense of the endurance of the human spirit. Hope manifests in various forms: as political defiance in the works of Seamus Heaney, as personal redemption in the fiction of Edna O’Brien, and as a quiet but persistent force in the poetry of Eavan Boland. Proposals that likewise examine the role of folklore and mythology in preserving cultural hope, particularly in times of colonization, famine, and social upheaval are also welcomed.

At a time when global uncertainty looms large, the themes of Irish literature offer valuable insight into how storytelling can sustain hope. By looking at works both canonical and contemporary, this panel highlights literature’s ability to inspire change, provide solace, and illuminate paths forward.

 Presentation Format: Virtual

 Submissions should include the following:

1.     Title.

2.     Abstract (250-300 words).

3.     Brief biography that includes your full name, institutional affiliation (if applicable), and contact details.

 Please email your submission to Dr. Desmond Harding (hardi1d@cmich.edu) by April 25, 2025.