13th International George Moore Conference

May 5th - 7th, All day

Mayo

George Moore: Landscape and Memory

George Moore: Landscape and Memory

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”

George Moore, The Brook Kerith, (1916), ch. 11.

The writings of George Moore have continued to inspire scholars over more than a century. Moore’s very varied oeuvre comprises poetry and short story collections, novels, plays, art criticism and memoirs and this wonderful literary legacy has instigated a series of international conferences.  Such gatherings have added considerably to enthusiasm for the study of Moore’s works both at home and in many corners of the globe.

The 13th International George Moore Conference will engage with the man and his writings, with particular focus on the influence of landscape and memory in his literature, and especially on the persistent influence of his Mayo roots and origin. When directly mirroring recognisable landscape, or transposing experience and recollection into fictional characterisation, Moore’s depictions also reflect the reality of 19th century history in church, state and family, and provide insight into the attitudes and conflicts of the period. Moreover, the texts are inevitably inflected by his experience of life in France, England and Gaelic Revival Dublin.

This 13^th conference is particularly important as, in Moore’s native county, it seeks to analyse Moorian heritage and ancestry. Mayo today embraces  the memory of George Moore, cherishes the site of his family home, and seeks to protect the environment at his birthplace.  The conference schedule  will include a visit to Moore Hall. With ultimate serendipity, the occasion coincides with ‘Mayo Day’, a vibrant and weeklong event that celebrates all things Mayo, and there will be several cultural fringe events available to the visiting delegates.

An important keynote address will be delivered by a most eminent Moore scholar. Further details concerning the conference will be published later.

The return to Mayo for the 2026 conference means that this call for papers presents very broad options and suggestions because the combination of venue, theme and author raises a multiplicity of issues in both linked and disparate research fields.

For that very reason, proposals for papers, or panels, are invited and topics could include but, of course, are not limited to:

Memories of the Moore family and estate: buildings, characters, horses
The significance of the Irish Literary Revival in Moore’s art
GM’s rôle in the construction of Irish literary identity
Depictions of landscape in the writings of George Moore: lakes, mountains, streetscapes at home and abroad
Tracing the Big House and Authority
On the menu: George Moore and his culinary predilections
George Moore ahead again: 21^st century Environmental Humanities and eco-criticism
Portrayal of classes: from Land League to Hail & Farewell
Embracing visual art, drama, music and international influences
Realism, Naturalism or Modernism in Moore’s works
The centrality of Folk memory
History and nostalgia in the writings of George Moore
Moore and Anglo-Irish Gothic
Engaging with Religions and churches: Croagh Patrick to the Bible
Moore and the power of drama
Perceptive depictions of sexuality and gender
As Others see us: Biography, autobiography and the real Moore

Abstracts:

Abstracts (200 words) for papers proposed (20 minutes maximum delivery time) should be accompanied by a short biographical note (100 words), plus full address and institutional affiliation.

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please note:

Student Prizes

The George Moore Association offers prizes of 50 euro to all students (undergraduate and postgraduate) who present papers at the conference. In addition, a prize of 200 euro is offered to the student whose presentation is adjudged to be the best on the day.

Please send abstracts to Fiona White: Fiona.white@atu.ie

Abstract submission deadline: December 31st 2025