About Friends of Irish Studies in the West

The Friends of Irish Studies in the West is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization established to unite those of Irish heritage and those with a love of Ireland to achieve the following goals:

  • Raise the funding necessary to grow and sustain the Irish Studies program at the University of Montana.

  • Provide the community with public access to the visiting speakers, scholars, dancers and musicians who come to the University of Montana as part of the program.

  • Sponsor evening classes for students and adults, immersion weeks, festivals, trips to Ireland, and other cultural events within the community and surrounding area.

Learn more about us and our mission here.

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CALL FOR ACTION: What you can do to support the Irish Studies Program:

  • Use the contact information below to send a short message explaining why the program matters and why the Irish language should remain at UM.

    Regent Chair Todd Buchanan: RegentBuchanan@montana.edu

    Regent Vice Chair Loren Bough: Regentbough@montana.edu

    Regent Dean Folkvord: RegentFolkvord@montana.edu

    Regent Heather Hoyer: RegentHoyer@montana.edu

    Regent Jeff Southworth: RegentSouthworth@montana.edu

    Regent Daniel Spoon: RegentSpoon@montana.edu

    Student Regent Carter Jasper: RegentJasper@montana.edu

    Clayton Christian - Commissioner of Higher Education and current Interim President of UM: cchristian@montana.edu

  • You can look up your legislator here:

    https://www.legmt.gov/districts/

    Tell them:

    • the Irish language program at UM is at risk

    • this program is tied to Montana history and international partnerships

    • the decision is moving quickly

    • you want them aware of the issue

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  • Comment on our Facebook post or make your voice heard by submitting a comment on our website about what the program has meant to you. We will compile testimonials and public comments and share them with decision-makers.

  • If you are part of an organization, school, cultural group, exchange partner, or community institution, please consider sending a letter of support.

  • Talk about it. Share our posts. Text people. Bring it up over coffee. Print some flyers and put them around town! (PDFs of flyers are available on the FISW website). This campaign depends on people knowing what is actually happening before the decision is made.