The article starts from the claims of some ecocritical theoreticians that Christianity may be considered among the roots of the belief that man masters the earth (at least in the West) and thus justifies the current environmental crisis. But even these critics feel the need to provide role models of environmental concern from the list of saintly figures of the Christian tradition. In an age completely enthusiastic about the union between science and technology, the Victorian Age, the Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote sonnets that may be read through the ecocritical lens at a time when the concept had not been invented. The conclusions of the essay point out the relevance of the emergence of ecococritical studies in the 1980s, showing thus how literary studies, religion and spirituality join environmental concerns and contribute to man’s fair appreciation and treatment of nature.

Nicoleta Stanca‘s latest work, Defiance of “Magdalenes.” Female Challenges in Recent Irish Fiction explores the female characters in a range of novels by more contemporary Irish writers. Of course, the Ireland of today is very different from the State in its infancy. We like to think of ourselves as modern, liberal, outward looking, welcoming difference. We value our writers and artists because of the insights they bring to our lives – not just to reflect society. The novels that are considered here, by William Trevor, John Banville, Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry and Colm Tóibín while coming from a particularly Irish place, have universal appeal and contribute hugely to our understanding of ourselves. As a reflection of the high esteem that Irish writers are held in today, the Arts Council created the role of Laureate for Irish Fiction. This was to acknowledge the contribution of fiction writers to Irish artistic and cultural life by honouring an established Irish writer of fiction; encouraging a new generation of writers; promoting Irish literature nationally and internationally; and encouraging the public to engage with high quality Irish fiction. Each Laureate continues their work as a creative artist. In addition, over the course of their term, they spend a semester at University College Dublin and one at New York University and while in residence, they teach creative writing. They also deliver an annual lecture and engage in major public events. The Laureateship is designed so that the Laureate can shape the role allowing the individual artist to be at the heart of the project. Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry and Colm Tóibín are recent Laureates and each has occupied the role with distinction and each has made their own, unique contribution.(...)Paul McGarry,Ambassador of Ireland to Romania

The reader must not identify Stephen Dedalus in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man with James Joyce in every respect. For instance, Stephen is represented at Clongowes as a timid boy, conscious of his smallness and weakness. Conversely, young Joyce was keen on hurdling and cricket, won cups in sports competitions and earned the nickname “Sunny Jim” due to his cheerful disposition. This paper will trace autobiographical elements in the novel with the purpose to prove that they are meant not as mere recordings of particular autobiographical experiences but as instances of universality. Hence, the choice of the novel title, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

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The article aims at discussing the case studies of the Romanian Orthodox churches in Dublin and the unique Romanian Orthodox monastery in Shannonbridge, Ireland. The general context is that of a growing Romanian diaspora in Ireland, hence the necessity of such “informal ambassadors”, in the sense of institutions that are both keepers of Romanianness and mediators for better integration in Irish society. We will also offer an overview of the collaboration between the Romanian churches and the Embassy in Dublin for the benefit of the Romanian diasporic community.