Princeton's Fund for Irish Studies Draws Crowds for Lectures, Readings, and Debates

The popular series features high-profile authors, scholars, and artists discussing Irish history, culture, and contemporary issues.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:04pm

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Princeton University's Fund for Irish Studies (FIS) series has been providing lectures, readings, and film screenings on Irish topics for the Princeton community for over 25 years. The events, held at the James Stewart Film Theater, are free but require reservations, often selling out due to high demand. Upcoming events feature authors Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride discussing Irish unification, and Oscar Wilde's grandson Merlin Holland speaking on Wilde's legacy.

Why it matters

The FIS series has become an integral part of Princeton's cultural calendar, offering the community access to high-profile Irish authors, scholars, and artists. The events provide intellectual stimulation and cultural enrichment, highlighting Princeton's commitment to celebrating Irish history and culture.

The details

The FIS series was initiated by the University's Humanities Council in 1998, with Irish poet Paul Muldoon as its first director. The series typically holds 4-8 events per academic year, featuring readings, lectures, and discussions. Past guests have included authors such as Sally Rooney, Colm Tóibín, and Muldoon himself. The events are free and open to the public, but require reservations due to the popularity of the series.

  • The March 20 event with Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride will take place at 4:30 p.m.
  • The April 10 event with Merlin Holland will take place at 4:30 p.m.
  • The April 23 event with writer John Banville will take place on Thursday, April 23.

The players

Fund for Irish Studies (FIS)

A series hosted by Princeton University that provides lectures, readings, and film screenings on Irish history, culture, and contemporary issues for the Princeton community.

Paul Muldoon

Irish poet who was the first director of the FIS series when it was initiated by Princeton's Humanities Council in 1998.

Fintan O'Toole

Columnist for the Irish Times, advising editor of the New York Review of Books, and the official biographer of Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney.

Sam McBride

Northern Ireland editor of the Belfast Telegraph and the Dublin-based Sunday Independent, and author of the Sunday Times bestseller "Burned: The Inside Story of the 'Cash-for-Ash' Scandal and Northern Ireland's Secretive New Elite."

Merlin Holland

Oscar Wilde's only grandchild, biographer, and editor of Wilde's work.

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What they’re saying

“These events have enriched my life and provided enormous intellectual stimulation, provocation, and ultimate satisfaction. I wouldn't miss an event if I didn't absolutely have to.”

— Jack Byer, Retired theater director (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Princeton's Fund for Irish Studies has become an integral part of the community's cultural calendar, offering access to high-profile Irish authors, scholars, and artists and providing intellectual stimulation and cultural enrichment for attendees.