Phoenix Convention

David Clare obtained a Masters in Anglo-Irish Literature & Drama in 2008 with a thesis called "C.S. Lewis: An Irish Writer". He is currently pursuing his PhD, with an eye towards becoming a full-time academic.

His PhD thesis is on "The Stage Englishman in Irish Liteature" and touches on, among others, Maria Edgeworth, Somerville & Ross, Elizabeth Bowen, Bernard Shaw, Brendan Behan, Brian Friel and Frank O'Connor. He has spoken at academic conferences in Ireland and America on various authors, including a paper on "National Identity in the works of Maria Edgeworth" at the ASECS Conference in Richmond, VA and a paper on "Irish-American Reactions to Marie Jones's Play “A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER" at the ISTR Conference in Sligo.

David was born and raised in New York and graduated from Boston University with a degree in Social History.  In 2000, he moved to Ireland, where he has lived ever since, mainly in Dublin.

Originally a secondary school teacher in New York and Ballymun, David moved into the theatre world in 2002, and has since worked in box offices all over Dublin, as well as at Glor Theatre in Ennis, while financing his studies.