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Cumann Merriman Summer School 2013

Venue and dates

Theme

Ireland North and South: two societies growing apart?

Éire agus Ulaidh: ag dul a mbealach féin feasta?

Dates

14 to 18 August (Wednesday to Sunday).

Location

Lisdoonvarna, County Clare,

Director

Andy Pollak.

Detailed information about the School

A preliminary programme (subject to change), information on confirmed speakers and accommodation lists can be found in the 2013 Summer School section of this website.

Overview

This year’s Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare will will take a close look at politics, society and culture in the two Irelands over the past 15 years since the Good Friday Agreement.

Among the questions a range of distinguished speakers from both Irish jurisdictions will address are: Are the two societies in Ireland very slowly moving closer as the Good Friday Agreement intended or — as the Summer School’s title provocatively suggests — moving apart? Do they function in rather different worlds: the North struggling with its ancient bugbears of sectarianism and division, the South consumed by debt and austerity? What are the implications of this for the nationalist aspiration of unity by consent? Is there an alternative form of nationalism to Sinn Fein’s that might accommodate this phenomenon? Are most people in the South now totally ’switched off’ from the North and (if so) what are the future implications of this for both societies? Is there now, particularly among younger people, a kind of Southern Irish identity that excludes the North? Is there an emerging Northern identity? Is a new, more inclusive unionism emerging? What elements in culture, religion, society and the economy continue to act to bring the people of the island together — and how should policy‑makers and other influential people be seeking to promote and encourage these? And on the international front: What would be the implications for both parts of the island if the UK were to leave the EU and Ireland were to stay in? What are the implications for the island of Ireland of moves towards Scottish independence?

Speakers will include politicians and poets, geographers and journalists, academics, economists and others. As always, there will be a healthy mix of discussion and debate, poetry and music and convivial company.

The 2013 Summer School’s Director is Andy Pollak, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh.

The opening address will be given by Mícheál Martin, TD.