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Irish Culture celebrated on campus with Turas

Attendees participate in traditional Irish dancing at the first Irish Culture Night Wednesday. Photo by Moira Nolan.
Attendees participate in traditional Irish dancing at the first Irish Culture Night Wednesday. Photo by Moira Nolan.

Live Irish music, dancing and entertainment were all part of the first Irish Culture Night Wednesday.

Sponsored by the Intellectual and Cultural Activities Committee and the International Programs Office, the event was lead through the music from Irish band Turas, which features Bradley alumnus Jeff Putnam.

Christine Blouch, director of International Programs, said having an Irish band was one of the main aspects of the event that was held in the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center.

“Turas liked the idea that it’s a university gig, and that’s why I’m glad we decided to make it a culture night,” Blouch said. “Irish music is so reflective of social and cultural issues.”

Blouch said she wanted to add multiple elements to the night to bring out the deep history of Ireland and its culture while still being able to give information about May’s study abroad program to Dublin.

The event could have been solely an information table about study abroad programs in Ireland, according to Blouch, but she decided that route shouldn’t be taken. What made the International Programs Office take a different step was the fact that 2016 is a special year for Ireland.

Next year marks the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a rebellion that led to the Irish Civil War and Irish independence.

“Because it was such a historic year, I wanted to do something different to advertise the programs,” Blouch said. “But then it became something a lot more fun.”

Jackie Hogan, an associate professor in the Sociology Department and ICAC chairperson, had her own table where she talked about history and impact of the Irish rebellion. A poster with pictures and information was used as a visual aid.

While the event featured many tables showcasing different aspects of Irish culture, the sociology club also had an exhibit that involved the Titanic. In addition to taking visitors through what happened to the Titanic and its significance to Ireland, attendees were also given a ticket that put them in a category to simulate the odds of surviving the Titanic’s sinking.

Jake Dammer, a senior marketing major, said he was happy with the experience he had at Irish Culture Night.

“I visited Dublin in May and heard about this, so I wanted to come check it out,” Dammer said. “It was cool to catch up with some of the teachers I went to Ireland with.”

Dammer said he was glad to take a look at some of the tables and is looking forward to hanging up a free map of Ireland in his room he got from the event.

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