Fulbright Scholar Shares History of Traditional Irish Women Singers and Songs Since 1950s

The Department of Theatre Studies and the Center for Work and Service host Fulbright Scholar Mary McPartlan tonight from 7-8 p.m. in the Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre.

McPartlan, a celebrated Irish singer whose style dabbles in both traditional and original works, will present an illustrated lecture looking at a thematic selection of 1950s Irish songs from various female singers. The lecture will also feature performances of a selection of McPartlan's songs.

McPartlan, who is director of the Arts in Action Program: An Invitation To Come Closer to the Arts, and a lecturer in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at the National University of Ireland, Galway, has toured extensively throughout Ireland. Her first album, entitled The Holland Handkerchief (2004) was voted the number-one folk album by British Mojo magazine.

In addition to her performing career, Ms. McPartlan has worked closely with Irish arts organizations, and with Irish television network TG4 in particular. Assisting in the creation of both the TG4 national traditional music awards and an award-winning traditional music series, her contributions to traditional Irish folk music continue as a result of her efforts both at NUI Gallaway and abroad.

Fulbright Awards are presented annually to Irish students, scholars, and professionals, who wish to pursue postgraduate study and research at higher educational, cultural, and similar institutions in the United States. McPartlan took her Fulbright Scholarship to the Lehman College City University of New York, where she educates audiences about Irish traditions, music, and culture, through her module "A history of Irish Theatre and Traditional Music since the 1900s."

For questions, please contact Elizabeth O’Connell at eoconnel@wellesley.edu

For disability services, please contact Jim Wice at jwice@wellesley.edu

—Oset Babur '15