# John V. Kelleher Lecture ## expand\_more ![John Kelleher](/sites/g/files/omnuum3486/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2026-03/Young%20John%20V.%20Kelleher%20Web_0.jpg?itok=OArut1gT) John V. KelleherThe John V. Kelleher Lecture commemorates the fondly remembered Professor of Irish Studies. John Kelleher was a distinguished scholar and legendary teacher in many areas, from the early heroic sagas to James Joyce; from the medieval annals and kinglists to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and beyond. A native of Lawrence, Massachusetts and a graduate of Dartmouth College, he came to Harvard as a Junior Fellow in 1940, and except for his years of service in Washington during the Second World War, remained at Harvard until his retirement in 1986. He died in January 2004. In inviting our Kelleher Lecturers, we seek out the finest scholars in the world of Celtic studies, speakers whose range and depth is worthy of John Kelleher’s legacy. Seamus Heaney delivered the inaugural Kelleher Lecture in 2004, and a list of subsequent speakers can be found [here.](https://celtic.fas.harvard.edu/john-v-kelleher-lecturers) The 22nd John V. Kelleher Lecture is given by Professor Barry Lewis of the School of Celtic Studies at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. "The poet in the medieval Welsh court: rereading Phylip Brydydd's encounter with the *gofeirdd."* Thursday October 8th 2026. 5:00pm. Harvard University. Harvard Faculty Club. More details to follow. If you'd like to join our email list for updates on our offerings email ## Upcoming Events [### The John V. Kelleher Lecture ](/event/john-v-kelleher-lecture-1?occ_id=0)October 8, 2026 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM EDT | Harvard University. Barker Center, Thompson room In Person The 22nd John V. Kelleher Lecture is given this year by Professor Barry Lewis of the School of Celtic Studies at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. "The poet in the medieval Welsh court: rereading Phylip Brydydd's encounter with the gofeirdd." The... event [### The Harvard Celtic Colloquium ](/event/harvard-celtic-colloquium?occ_id=0)Oct. 9 - Oct 11, 2026 | 9:00AM - 3:00PM EDT | Harvard University. Barker Center, Thompson room In Person Harvard Celtic Colloquium We are looking forward to the 45th HCC. October 9-11, 2026. Details to follow. This three day colloquium has been operating since 1981. The graduate students of the Harvard Celtic Department have organized and hosted the Annual... event [ View All Events arrow\_circle\_right ](/calendar)