Irish Studies Around the World – 2023

monument was raised in Troy, New York, to James Connolly 100 years after his execution by British forces for his part in the Easter Rising.Connolly lived for several years in Troy, working with both Irish and Italian immigrants, helping them to effectively organise as labourers.Another significant commemoration that was observed internationally in 2023 was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.There were events held around the world, including in the European Parliament and in Washinton D.C., where St Patrick Day celebrations included a gala concert and a special summit, which was livestreamed on 21 March.The D.C. commemoration launched international events celebrating that important achievement that changed the lives of so many in Northern Ireland, an achievement shared by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland.Commemorative activities were held in Ireland, the UK, several US cities, in Canada, Helsinki, and Vienna.An anthology of poetry that links the momentous peace agreement and natural imagery and commissioned by the British-Irish Council, And Now the Sun Breaks Through, is available online.Irish drama, as usual, was performed around the world in 2023.The Irish theatre event of the year was the Druid Theatre's one-day production of Sean O'Casey's Dublin trilogy -The Plough and the Stars, Shadow of a Gunman, and Juno and the Paycockor "DruidO'Casey", which premiered in the company's hometown of Galway at the July International Arts Festival, and went on to play in Belfast, New York, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.In March the Irish Postal Service, An Post, celebrated the latest tour-de-force from the theatre and its long-time director, Garry Hynes, by issuing a series of commemorative postage stamps.A production of