The Canadian Association for Irish Studies (CAIS)

St. Michael’s College
University of Toronto

               
CAIS members and friends are invited to attend the Annual Conference May 28-31, 2008 on the campus of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, hosted by the Celtic Studies Program.      

St. Michael’s College is located on the east side of the university campus, in the heart of downtown Toronto in a park-like setting that is close to museums, shopping, restaurants and art galleries, all easily accessible by public transportation (TTC).  

Confirmed keynote speakers include:

Keith Jeffery, Queen’s University Belfast, School of History and Anthropology
Angela Bourke, University College Dublin, School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics

Conference Schedule:

All academic sessions will take place in Rooms 100 and 107 on the lower level of Alumni Hall, 121 St. Joseph Street, St. Michael’s College.

Wednesday, May 28 

5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.     Registration and opening reception in Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, 81 St. Mary Street, St. Michael’s College.  The reception will include the launch of Thomas D’Arcy McGee: Passion, Reason, and Politics, 1825-1857 Vol. 1 by David A. Wilson.

Thursday, May 29

Daytime:  Registration and conference sessions 

Evening: visit to Ireland Park Toronto Irish Famine Memorial (located at the foot of Bathurst Street, east side, overlooking Lake Ontario) led by Mr. Robert Kearns, chairman and 2008 Irish Person of the Year, and Professor Mark McGowan, historical adviser, with Ireland Park Foundation, www.irelandparkfoundation.com  followed by a gathering at P. J. O’Brien’s Irish Pub.

Friday, May 30

Daytime:  Conference sessions 

Evening: Concert of traditional Irish music in Alumni Hall, Room 100, with the Loretto Reid Band from Toronto, Frank Cassidy and James Stephens from Ottawa, Pierre Schryer (returning to CAIS from last year!) and Andy Hillhouse.

Saturday, May 31

Daytime: Conference sessions, Annual General Meeting

Evening:       6.30 p.m. Reception followed by banquet at 7.30 p.m.
                     Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, 81 St. Mary Street

REGISTRATION:

We encourage you to register early so that catering arrangements may be made.
Fee:        Regular – $125.00            After April 30 – $150.00
               Students – $65.00             After April 30 – $75.00
Banquet tickets:    $55.00
Concert tickets:    $10.00

Please click on link below, print form and send to address noted on form.

Please note that we are not able to accept payments by credit card.

ACCOMMODATION:
  
Delegates must make their own reservations for accommodation. Here are many options:

University Residence:

Arrangements have been made with St. Michael’s College for accommodation in the student residences at a price of approximately $35 per night. Note that breakfast is not included and may not be available on-campus.  However, there are lots of restaurants nearby.          

Information and room reservations can be made on-line at:
www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/sumres/index.html   
or contact:

Liz Boak, Conference Services Manager
St. Michael’s College
81 St. Mary Street
Toronto ON  M5S 1J4
Phone:     416-926-2343      email:         conferences.stmikes@utoronto.ca
Mention that you are attending the Canadian Association for Irish Studies conference    

Hotels:

The closest hotel is the Sutton Place, 955 Bay Street
www.toronto.suttonplace.com     1-866-378-8866

Less expensive and a short walk away are the following:

Howard Johnson
89 Avenue Road
www.IGOHOJO.ca            1-877-967-5845
Special rate if you reserve by April 28:
Single: $129 + tax; Double $139 + tax – includes breakfast
Quote “Canadian Association for Irish Studies”

Delta Chelsea Hotel
33 Gerrard Street West
www.deltahotels.com         1-888-890-3222

InterContinental Hotel
220 Bloor Street West     
www.toronto.intercontinental.com         416-324-5966

Holiday Inn
280 Bloor Street West
www.ichotelsgroup.com           1-888-465-4329

Remember that you can often find better rates by booking on-line.

For Bed and Breakfasts and other options:
www.toronto.com/hotels
www.torontotourism.com/Visitor/WhereToStay

Travel:
For those arriving by air, a taxi from Pearson International Airport to the University of Toronto costs approximately $40.00.  Pacific Western operates coach service from the airport to the major downtown hotels approximately every half hour at a cost of $16.95 ($29.25 return)www.torontoairportexpress.com   The closest dropoff hotel is the Delta Chelsea Inn on Gerrard Street West; from there it is a short taxi ride to the university campus and the hotels listed above.  Or from the Airport, for $2.75 exact change, one can take the 192 Airport Rocket Bus to the Kipling subway station and take the subway from there; the Bay or Museum stops are closest to St. Michael’s College.
www.toronto.ca/ttc/schedules

Parking:
Parking is available at reasonable rates in the St. Basil’s Church lot; enter off St. Joseph Street.  The overnight rate for those attending conferences is $12 per 24 hours.    

Useful links:
General information about Toronto: www.toronto.ca  or  www.toronto.com
University of Toronto maps   www.utoronto.ca/Campus_Maps.htm  (Click on St. George.   St. Michael’s College is on the righthand side of the map.)
St. Michael’s College website: www.utoronto.ca/stmikes

We hope to make your visit an enjoyable one.  Please contact us if you have any questions.
CAIS 2008 Organizing Committee at St. Michael’s College
David A. Wilson
Jean Talman
Máirín Nic Dhiarmada
Ann Dooley
Phone: 416-926-7145         Email: jean.talman@utoronto.ca