In the last few years there has been a growing interest in Irish affairs and, as a consequence, in Irish literature worldwide. Spain has been no exception. One can see many translations of Irish novels, books of poetry and plays. The popularity of writing from Ireland has led to an identification with the sense of national identity it often expresses amongst minority groups in many parts of the world. In this part of Spain, Galicia, the struggle for independence in Ireland was received with sympathy and enthusiasm. If we look at the history of Galician literature there is an obvious identification with Ireland and its opposition to colonial repression. For this reason, in the English Department in Santiago the fame that Irish literature has possessed during the last years has been augmented by the rapport students feel for another Celtic nation whose autonomy was limited for so many years by its neighbour.

This was one of the reasons why we decided to invite Bernard MacLaverty to Santiago in October 2000. But there were many others. At the present there are several subjects on the syllabus which deal directly or indirectly with Ireland. There is also a doctorate