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Memory, Literature, Legacy… and ghosts!
Since its publication in January 2026, Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness by Kevin P. Reilly has attracted an impressive range of critical attention, prompting thoughtful discussion across academic, literary, and cultural spheres. Blending rigorous scholarship with imaginative storytelling, the monograph revisits the life and legacy of Lady Augusta Gregory through the voices of historical figures whose intertwined lives helped shape the Irish Literary Renaissance. Drawing on his longstanding expertise in Irish literary studies, Reilly offers a “fresh, vibrant, and fascinating” perspective on questions of national identity, memory, cultural revival, and a superb addition to Peter Lang’s Reimagining Ireland series. We are delighted to spotlight some of the outstanding coverage Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness has received since publication and to celebrate the conversations it continues to inspire.
New Books in Irish Studies with Aidan Beatty | Podcast Interview
In a featured episode of the New Books in Irish Studies podcast on 30 June 2026, Reilly joined historian and Irish Studies scholar Aidan Beatty for an in-depth discussion of Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness. The conversation explores the book’s distinctive approach to literary scholarship, examining how Reilly uses the imagined voices of Lady Augusta Gregory and eight figures from her personal and professional circles to illuminate the cultural, political, and intellectual world of the Irish Literary Revival. Reilly reflects on Gregory’s complex legacy, her pivotal role in shaping modern Irish cultural identity, and the creative process behind blending historical research with narrative imagination. The interview offers listeners an engaging introduction to the book’s central themes, while highlighting its contribution to contemporary Irish Studies and the ongoing reappraisal of one of Ireland’s most influential literary figures.
You can listen to the episode here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Office Hours with John Gardner | Podcast Interview
Kevin P. Reilly was also featured on the Gardner Institute’s Office Hours with John Gardner podcast in a wide-ranging conversation that connected his distinguished career in higher education leadership with his work as a scholar of Irish literature. In the episode, Reilly reflects on the power of historical narratives to shape contemporary understanding, discussing how Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness reimagines the lives and legacies of Lady Augusta Gregory and her circle through an innovative blend of research, biography, and creative non-fiction. The discussion highlights the value of storytelling as a means of exploring complex cultural histories, while showcasing the interdisciplinary thinking that informs Reilly’s work. Offering insights into both educational leadership and literary scholarship, the interview provides listeners with a compelling perspective on the ideas and creative ambitions behind Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness.
You can listen to the episode here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Reimagining the Irish Literary Revival | Seminar
Beyond interviews and reviews, Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness has also inspired wider public engagement through a special in-person course led by Reilly at Celtic Junction Arts Center. Titled “Gregory’s Ghosts: Reimagining the Irish Literary Revival,” the class invites participants to step beyond the stiff public persona of the Victorian widow to encounter the spirits of Reilly’s book as they look backward to reflect on their intertwined lives, and forward into the future to see what has become of the nation they helped spark. From the drawing-rooms of Coole Park to the riots of the Abbey Theatre, the seminar will blend factual history with rich, fictionalised narratives, discussing how a tight-knit circle of passionate, conflicted individuals fundamentally shaped the cultural and political destiny of modern Ireland.
The class will take place on 15 October 2026, and you can find all the details here.
Upcoming Events and Appearances
Reilly has several events scheduled in the coming months, where he will present his book, and offer readings:
- 19 September 2026 – Fox Cities Irish Fest (Wisconsin)
- 25 to 27 September 2026 – American Conference for Irish Studies Conference, University of Notre Dame
- 2 October – Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- 15 October – Celtic Junction Arts Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Dr Kevin P. Reilly is President Emeritus and Regent Professor with the University of Wisconsin System. He was first in the field of critical examination of Irish literary autobiography as a distinct genre. He serves as Vice President of the Board of the Irish American Cultural Institute and has taught the James Joyce course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Read more and purchase the book, here. Gregory Ghosts: Haunting Irishness is Volume 147 in the series Reimagining Ireland, edited by Eamon Maher.
