Challenges for the new Ireland
The 37th annual Merriman Summer School will be held in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, from the 21st to the 28th August 2004. This year’s theme takes up the challenges and contradictions facing the new Ireland in coming to grips with itself and where it has come from. While this is a big and a serious topic, it will be treated with a light touch: something that is a hallmark of Merriman Schools.
The Director, Professor Jim Malone of Trinity College and of St James’s Hospital in Dublin has provided a packed programme well suited to visitors and locals alike. There is a terrific line up of notable speakers who will address many aspects of the new Ireland, its sacred cows, and its inevitable orthodoxies and heresies. The fields they will cover include healthcare, economics, sport, religion, culture, personal lifestyles, complementary medicine and many other aspects of the day-to‑day life of the people.
Speakers
The host of excellent speakers will be led off by the newly appointed Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, who will open the School. Others include Professor Muiris Fitz Gerald, who will discuss the culture and politics of healthcare delivery; surely relevant in Ennis. Mary Davis of Special Olympics fame will consider our changing attitudes to sport. Camillus Power, Director of the Pain Clinic at Tallaght Hospital, will lead a seminar on Complimenatery Medicine with Seamus Lynch, a practitioner. Olive Braiden will tell us if it is really true that the women are worse than the men. John Fitz Gerald of the ESRI will discuss the changes in population structure. Mark Patrick Hederman from Glenstall will tell us how he feels James Joyce got it right for humanity.
A relaxing School
All of this is embedded in a holiday atmosphere. Professor Malone, who is from Clarecastle, says: We are very conscious that most people coming to the school are on their holidays, and we take care to design the programme so that those attending will have a good time.
A day trip to Kinvara is included, and on Wednesday there will be an evening concert of music and dance with Paddy Cole and his Band. Tickets for this event are available in many outlets in County Clare. Information about where these outlets are is available from 00 353 87 226 1889
This is Merriman’s 20th year to have Set Dancing on its programme twice every day. At noon there will be a workshop taken by Betty Mc Coy and Johnny Morrissey. In the evening we have a new experiment with the co‑operation of the Falls Hotel: there will be set dancing, singing and traditional music in the bar of the hotel to which all are welcome. Professor Malone added: Merriman is a very welcoming organisation, and we invite all to come along for a day, an evening, or for as much of the week as they can manage.
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