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Dublin’s George Bernard Shaw conference to focus on literary giant’s Irish identity and influence

Writers from around the world gather to celebrate great Irish icon

JANE WALSH,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9:01 AM

Updated Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9:01 AM

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George Bernard Shaw

Photo by Google Images

University College Dublin will be hosting “G.B. Shaw: Back in Town” A Shaw conference, in Dublin, from 29th May to 1st June.

The conference will be focused on the Nobel Prize-winner and literary giant’s Irish identity and his influence on world drama.

G. Bernard Shaw was a personal friend of a long list of Irish writers including Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Augusta Gregory, George Russell ("AE"), and Sean O'Casey. Writers from around the world will gather at the conference to honor him and his work.

Opening remarks at the conference will be made by International Shaw Society President Leonard Conolly. The launch will take place at the National Gallery Dublin.

Jay R. Tunney, author of “The Prizefighter and the Playwright: Gene Tunney and Bernard Shaw”, will also participate. In 1928, Gene Tunney retired from boxing as the first undefeated world heavyweight champion in modern history, one of the most famous athletes of the “Roaring Twenties”.

Shortly after, Tunney and his new steel heiress bride traveled widely, befriending a host of writers and scholars. At the end of that year, Gene met the man who would become a close mentor, friend, and father-figure for the rest of his life, George Bernard Shaw.

Jay Tunney is the son of the heavyweight champion, and will discuss the unlikely relationship of his father and the playwright at the conference.

For more information on the conference visit their site.

Nster.com

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9 Comments

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abhainn | May 20, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT

Wilhoef: Bernard Shaw was neither Nazi, nor Nazi-like. You obviously know nothing about him.

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abhainn | May 20, 2012, 06:22 PM EDT

CitizenWhy, you are ignorant. Bernard Shaw did not say "The Irish are a fair people, they never speak well of each other." It was the English writer, Samuel Johnson.

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Seanmor | May 14, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT

Shaw had his own brand of Irish nationalism. In the summer of 1916 he had letter published in a leading English newspaper, in which he opposed the execution of Roger Casement. He is also said to have have made this statement about the Easter rising"It was a fair fight in every way, except for the enormous odds my countrymen had to face". In his preface to "John Bll's Other Island", Shaw tells of his trip to Ypres sponsored by the British gov't who wanted to impress upon writers and journalists the damage done by "the beastly Hun" during the 4 years of the Great War.Shaw told his hosts:"You should see what the British did to my native city in only one week of war".

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Bythebay | May 06, 2012, 11:34 AM EDT

George Bernard Shaw was a gifted literary giant well recognized with the Nobel Prize and a socialist, eg. he wanted economic equality hence he founded the London School of Economics. He was not a Nazi and should not be debased by attempts at calling him such a slanderous name.

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wilhoef | May 05, 2012, 08:59 PM EDT

I said he was "Nazi like.

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Bythebay | May 05, 2012, 04:21 PM EDT

George Bernard Shaw founded the London School of Economics and was a Nobel Prize winner. He was not a nazi, he was a socialist.

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wilhoef | May 05, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT

Did anyone ever read about this guy's background? He was Nazi like and not someone of whom to be proud.

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CitizenWhy | May 05, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT

"The Irish are a fair people, they never speak well of each other." GB Shaw. He was funny about everything, and this statement was just an example of his self-mockery. He was also a true Irish patriot.

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carrickcourt | May 05, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT

GBS, my Dad Jack's hero. Of course GBS spent most of his life not in Ireland. There is statue of GBS by the National Museum in Dublin. Proceeds of GBS's estate go to support this museum. Of course GBS was Socialist so I expect some negative remarks about that fact here of course.

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