2023 American Conference for Irish Studies – Southern Regional Conference

FAQ's

When should I plan to arrive/depart?  Conference events will begin the morning of Thursday, October 26th and end the evening of Saturday, October 28th.  An optional social gathering will take place Wednesday, October 25th at the Hollander Hotel, and an optional beach visit will be held Sunday, October 29th for those guests who want to make the most of their time in St. Pete.  Additionally keep in mind that we will be hosting three fabulous guest speakers that you won't want to miss! On Thursday, October 26th at 2:00pm, Dr. Christine Kinealy will be delivering a public lecture titled "'Mislike me not for my complexion': Three Black Artists in Ireland, 1829 to 1860."   Dr. Molly Ferguson will be delivering the keynote address tentatively titled: "Going ‘Astray’: The Stray Sod and Buried Trauma in Contemporary Irish Texts" the following Friday afternoon, and Donegal poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin will join us for a reading and discussion of her poetry, recently published in her books Bloodroot, Town, and her most recent collection, The Poison Glen on Saturday afternoon.  

How do I register for the conference? The ACIS South Registration form can be accessed here.  Please note that all conference registrants must also be ACIS members, and you can join or renew your membership via the ACIS website. 

Can USF students attend the conference for free? Yes! USF students may register for the conference free of charge by using the coupon code "BULLS" and presenting a valid USF ID at onsite conference check-in. Please note that USF students must also be ACIS members to register and attend, however, and that an ACIS student membership will cost only $18 for a full year or $35 for three years.  Become a member here!

Do I have to be a member of ACIS or register for the conference to attend the Christine Kinealy lecture on October 26th? No, the Kinealy lecture will be free and open to the public as well as conference registrants. 

Should I register early for the conference? Please do, as this will help the conference organizers to make proper arrangements.  Early registrants will also save $25 off the standard rate or $10 off the discounted rate! 

How long should my paper be?  We are planning panel times based on the standard 15-20 minute conference paper presentation. Please plan for your presentation time to not exceed 20 minutes (usually 7-10 pages).

How do I get there?   You may arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA). From the airport, you may use various ground transportations to the USF St. Petersburg campus. General information about ground transportation is available at the airport's website.

You may also arrive at St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE). General information about ground transportation is available at the airport's website.

Where should I stay? A block of rooms has been reserved at the official conference hotel, the Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, located at  421 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.  To access the block of rooms, please call (727)873-7900 and reference the conference name and dates.  There are many alternative hotel options in the area, some of which can be explored on the Accommodations page. Attendees must book by Sept. 25 in order to receive the discounted rate. 

Is St. Petersburg, FL really as great as it seems? Yes! There's so much to enjoy in St. Pete.  The conference and hotel are in walking distance of each other and of the main downtown strip packed with restaurants and nightlife.  Downtown is situated on the Tampa Bay waterfront as well, offering beautiful views of the harbor.  Explore what St. Pete has to offer on the Visitor's Guide page.