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Bernard shaw's Ireland:

An International Perspective

Please join our conference celebrating George Bernard Shaw at the Museum of Literature Ireland in Dublin, June 5-7th 2024.

Playwright, critic, socialist, Bernard Shaw lives up to the title of one of his many plays, Man of Destiny. The Irish Shaw has become very present in recent years and in the last fifteen years, Shaw’s Irish identity has been firmly re-established both in the field of Shaw Studies and Irish Revivalist Studies. This serves to enrich his international profile and influence. His prolific writing career determines that wide ranging and international influence. He travelled widely, had a voracious interest in world affairs, and actively engaged with political, economic and social topics in a robust fashion. Even though his views were not always popular, they were always provocative. His plays were translated into many languages during his lifetime, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, to name just a few. In America, eleven productions of Shaw’s plays were premiered including his Nobel winning Saint Joan which was performed in the Garrick Theatre on Broadway in December 1923. In January 1897, in a letter to Ellen Terry: Shaw wrote "The theatre is my battering ram as much as the platform or the press: that is why I want to drag it to the front. My capers are part of a bigger design than you think”. These ‘capers’ continue into the 21st century and his work radiates from his Irish beginnings to circumnavigate the globe continuing to provoke thought, discussion and curiosity.

Through the generous support from the Museum of Literature Ireland, University College Dublin, and the International Shaw Society this conference will centre on Shaw's Ireland and feature theatrical performances and workshops, keynote speakers, book launches, and academic papers that consider Shaw's multi-faceted Irish identity.

Museum of Literature Ireland is a FULLY ACCESSIBLE VENUE. Learn more here.