The Éire Society of Boston will honor Robert O'Neill, Burns librarian and part-time political science faculty, with a 2003 Gold Medal award on April 12 at the society's annual dinner at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel.
The society, founded in 1937, which coincided with the 1937 adoption of the Irish Constitution, promotes Irish culture and awareness.
The Gold Medal goes to the individual who exemplifies the tradition of advancing Irish culture and fulfilling the society's ideals.
Past recipients of the award include President John F. Kennedy, Maureen O'Hara, Leon Uris, and Tom O'Connor, former Professor Emeritus of History and current University Historian at Boston College.
O'Neill was chosen as this year's recipient in recognition of his many years of service and dedication to the Society, including two years as its president in the early 1990s, according to the Éire Society's Web site. His latest book, A Visitor's Guide to Irish Libraries, which he wrote as a follow-up to his 1997 book, Ulster Libraries, and his work with the "Troubled Images" exhibition on display in the Burns Library through April 15 also contributed to the society's decision to choose O'Neil as this year's recipient.
A Visitor's Guide to Irish Libraries focuses on museums, genealogical centers, and libraries throughout the 32 counties of Ireland.
O'Neill also helped bring the exhibit "Troubled Images" to BC, kicking off the exhibit's national tour of nine North American cities.
"One reason BC was chosen as the inaugural site is our relationship with the Linen Hall Library in Belfast, Ireland," said O'Neill. BC libraries and Linen Hall have a formal agreement to share resources.
The exhibit features 70 posters from war-torn Ireland, and is a well-balanced sample of over 3,500 posters in the entire collection, said O'Neill.
"The idea is to present art as propaganda in the form of posters with all positions and political parties represented," he said.
The posters are arranged in chronological order and highlight the struggle between the Irish and British governments, including tragic events such as Bloody Sunday on Jan. 30, 1972, the bombing of the La Mon House Hotel, and the 1981 hunger strikes.
In addition to being the kick-off site of the tour, BC is the only site to feature artifacts in its exhibit, said O'Neill.
According to the exhibit's brochure, "The literature ranges from the most ephemeral - stickers, leaflets, posters and Christmas cards - to more substantial collections of books, pamphlets, manifestos, photographs and audio-visual items."
On April 30, O'Neill will give a lecture called "Where do you come from? Learning your Irish Ancestry" in Devlin 101 at 7:30 p.m.
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