Cumann Merriman Celebrations in 2005

Cumann Merriman 2005 Winter School

28th – 30th January

The year began with the 37th Winter School being held in Bunratty, Co Clare in January. The theme was Brian Merriman 1805 – 2005 and it was directed by Liam Ó Dochartaigh of the University of Limerick. Included in the programme was a reading of the entire original text (1,026 lines) of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche by Eoghan Ó hAnluain, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Audrey Ní Fhearghail, Alan Titley and Doireann Ní Bhriain, The reading was produced by Darach Mac Con Iomaire (Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe).

Since the 2005 Merriman Winter School was run solely through Irish, these pages were not published in English. A bilingual press release was made available, however.

Cumann Merriman and ‘Cúirt’

19th – 24th April

During April, Cumann Merriman worked in association with Cúirt, the International Festival of Literature in Galway. Cumann Merriman sponsored a new translation of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche by Ciaran Carson, commissioned by Cúirt and published by Gallery Press. Galway Youth Theatre were also planning a dramatic production of the new translation at 2005’s Cúirt. More information is available from the Galway Arts Centre.

Cumann Merriman and the Eighteenth Century Ireland Society

9th – 12th June

Cumann Merriman joined with the Eighteenth Century Ireland Society in the organisation of an academic conference on Brian Merriman in European Context, held at the University of Limerick in June. Among the speakers at this conference, which included an excursion to Feakle in County Clare, were Joop Leerssen (University of Amsterdam), Liam P. Ó Murchú (University College Cork), Kevin Whelan (University of Notre Dame, Dublin) and Micheál Ó Suilleabháin (University of Limerick). More information can be found on the ECIS website.

Day of Celebration in Limerick

27th July

Craobh Luimnigh of Conradh na Gaeilge, in conjunction with Cumann Merriman, marked the bicentennary of Brian Merriman’s death in Limerick City on the day of the anniversary. The celebrations began in the Mayor’s Office in City Hall at 10.45, then Frank Prendergast conducted a guided tour of venues associated with Merriman in Limerick. Excerpts from Cúirt an Mheán Oíche were read in Old Clare Street and Canon Mícheál Liostún recited poems and songs in Mungaret Street where the poet Seán Ó Tuama an Ghrinn had a school. To end the celebrations, a reception was held in An Chistin, Halla Íde, at 18 Thomas Street.

Cumann Merriman 2005 Summer School

20th – 27th August

The theme of the bicentennial Summer School was Brian Merriman 1805 – 2005 — a celebration. It was directed by Bob Collins, former Director General of RTÉ and was held in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare in August. As well as Merriman’s life and poem, and the Clare and Ireland of his time and later, authorities spoke on those topics covered in the poem, such as marriage, the clergy, the law and the conditions suffered by women. To honour the poet, poetry readings were a special feature throughout the week of this enhanced and eagerly anticipated Summer School.

Cumann Merriman and University College, Cork

23rd September

Cumann Merriman worked in conjunction with the Irish Departments of University College, Cork to develop a one‑day workshop for postgraduate students. This ran on the 23rd of September. The theme was Irish Manuscripts from Medieval to Modern and was held in Room G.01, Áras Uí Rathaille, University College, Cork. Lectures were given by Pádraig Ó Riain, Liam P. Ó Murchú, Séan Ó Duinnshléibhe and Caitríona Ó Dochartaigh. For more information, contact Caitríona Ó Dochartaigh on 00 353 21 490 3357.

Cumann Merriman and Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

1st December

The concluding event of the bicentenary programme was a public lecture in the School of Celtic Studies of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies on the 1st of December. The topic was Brian Merriman’s own manuscript containing the original text of Cúirt an Mheon‑Oíche in the poet’s hand. This manuscript, which is now in Cambridge University Library, was discussed by Liam P. Ó Murchú of University College Cork, the editor of the definitive edition of Merriman’s own text. Cumann Merriman’s annual publication was a celebratory reprint of this edition along with a number of new essays on Merriman and his masterpiece by the same scholar. More information is on the School of Celtic Studies website.