James J Blake

James Blake/ Séamus De Bláca, Ph.D.

April 29,1939 – June 26, 202

29 Aibreán 1939 – 26 Meitheamh 2026

Dr. James Blake, the noted bi-lingual Irish-American scholar of the Irish language and of Irish literature in English, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026 at the age of 87. Dr. Blake, known as Séamus Blake, was born and reared in the Bronx parish of St. Peter and Paul by his parents Patrick and Mary Blake, both of whom who hailed from the West Clare Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) townland of Cill Troilig (Kiltrellig) near Carraig an Chabhaltaigh (Carrigaholt). He was the youngest of four children. Over his long and distinguished career, Séamus was recognized as one of the leading proponents of Irish Studies and of the Irish language.

Séamus’ interest in the language began at his parent’s home in the Bronx where Irish was spoken and read. Séamus remembered his father Parick reading a column in Irish from a weekly Irish paper while he sat on his lap. Séamus was an avid reader and often made forays to the New York Public Library at 42nd Street in Manhattan where he immersed himself in literature.   

Séamus graduated from Manhattan College in the Bronx in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts. Two years later he acquired a Master of Arts degree at New York University (NYU). In 1964, Séamus lived with an Irish speaking family on Inis Mór on the Aran Islands off Galway where he gained fluency. In 1969 he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Trinity College and resided in Dublin for nearly two years studying under the noted Irish writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain. Séamus cited Ó Cadhain as an exemplar of what one could do with the language. [Ó Cadhain is widely acknowledged as one of the most significant writers of Modern Irish and his masterwork is Cré na Cille/The Graveyard Clay.] In 1979, Séamus was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy from NYU for his dissertation on William Butler Yeat’s narrative poem The Wanderings of Oisin. Séamus remained a Yeats scholar for the rest of his life. 

In 1972, Seamus began his career as an assistant professor at Nassau Community College (part of the State University of New York), with successive promotions to full professor in 1984 and professor emeritus in 2001 before retiring from that institution in 2005. He was simultaneously adjunct professor, College of Arts and Science, New York University, 1988-1995; adjunct professor, Graduate School of Arts and Science, New York University, 1991-1995; and adjunct professor, Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, 2003 – 2005, which Séamus regarded as a high point of his career.

Throughout his life, Séamus shared his enthusiasm for the Irish language and Irish literature with whoever might be interested. This led him to volunteer as an instructor for an adult education program in the Irish language organized by Cumann na Gaeilge Nua Eabhrac (the Gaelic Society of New York) from 1978 to 1981 (and he was president of that society for two years). This passion also led him to the role for which he arguably achieved his most widespread renown – host and producer of the weekly program Míle Fáilte, broadcast on Fordham University’s WFUV, which he presented for thirty years and which was the only bilingual radio program in North America dedicated to the Irish language. Séamus demonstrated what could be done with Irish language programming in the hands of a sophisticated and charming academic. Séamus cultivated an audience beyond Irish language speakers through masterful bilingual dialogue and a mix of literature, humor, Irish language songs, Irish traditional music and interviews.

His reputation as a foremost proponent of Irish Studies and the Irish language was widely recognized in the academic community in the United States and led to roles on the executive boards and committees of several New York universities and academic societies. He also held editorial roles on a number of prominent journals, including Éire-Ireland (the quarterly periodical of the Irish American Cultural Institute) and the New Hibernia Review/Iris Éireannach Nua, A Quarterly Record of Irish Studies.

Séamus Blake never filled the stereotype of a dry academic. He was famous for his witty and animated personality, his insightful opinions on matters Irish and otherwise, and above all for his fundamental kindness and generosity. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann (his like will not be seen again). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam (may his soul be at the right hand of God).

There is a wake for Séamus Blake being held this Wednesday July 1 from 3-8 pm  at Williams Funeral Home (5628 Broadway at 232nd St, Bronx, NY) https://www.wmsfuneralhome.com/  phone 718-548-1100