Look Back at the Merriman Summer School 2005

The Cumann Merriman Website
A celebration of the 18th century Irish poet Brian Merriman and all aspects of Irish Language and culture.

A look back at the Cumann Merriman Summer School 2005

This page contains a look back at the 2005 Summer School, and includes images of and interviews with speakers and participants.

The School — sounds and images

Willie Smyth giving a lecture on the banks of Loch Gréine on a fine summer’s day

2005, the bicentenary of Brian Merriman’s death, is a very important landmark for Cumann Merriman. This year, the number and scope of events organised by the Cumann were increased significantly in order to draw the poet and his great work to the attention of a wider and more diverse audience. The website was redesigned and the number of pages increased, and additional information was added to some of the specialised pages.

This work is ongoing, but one aspect that has received much attention is the development of a "look back" page for every subsequent School. Cumann Merriman has compiled archive material to give a taste, through sounds and pictures, of this School’s events. On this page we present some photos, and interviews that were given by participants at the School this summer. Since this is the first page of this type, the interviews were designed to capture a look back on all the Cumann’s Schools. We hope to make similar material, on subsequent Schools, available on the website from now on.

Sounds

All the contributers asked the same three questions: What do Merriman Schools mean to you? What drew you to the School first day? and What keeps you coming back? Interviewees were sought at random, and we were delighted by repeated, independent, references to stimulation of the intellect, of the soul and of the body. It seems, happily, that people discover a varied range of things to enjoy at each School.

We are extremely grateful to Liam P. Ó Murchú, the acknowledged expert on the poet and the poem, and the editor of the definitive version of Cúirt an Mheon Oíche, who gave us an introduction, in English and in Irish, to the text.

Interviews in Irish

Ana Ní Shúilleabháin

Ana is a scholar and journalist who became interested in Cúirt an Mheán Oíche whilst doing her primary degree at University College Cork. When she went on to do a Master’s she selected the poem as the subject for her thesis. She spoke at Cúirt na mBan during the 2005 Winter School.

Diarmuid Breathnach

Diarmuid has been an active member of Cumann Merriman Committees for a long time. Diarmuid and his co‑author, Máire Ní Mhurchú wrote seven volumes of Beathaisnéisí. These books have been selected as Cumann Merriman books of the year since 1986.

Doireann Ní Bhriain

Doireann is a broadcaster and art consultant, and is a regular participant at themed poetry readings during Merriman Schools. Doireann was Aoibheall in the dramatic version of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche issued by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Máire Ní Neachtain

Máire is a lecturer in Irish at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Máire’s interview has been divided into three parts:

Seosamh Ó Méalóid

Seosamh is a native of Rath Cairn. He is a teacher, broadcaster, singer and first‑class dancer, and his skills are in great demand at Club Merriman. He can be heard regularly on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Tríona Ní Shíocháin

Tríona is from Cork. She is currently undertaking a doctoral thesis on Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire in University College Cork, under the direction of Dr. Seán Ua Súilleabháin. She was awarded a Cumann Merriman Scholarship to attend this School.

Interviews in English

Aideen Friel: Aideen is a Dubliner, and works in public relations. She was Cumann Merriman’s Press Officer for many years. She gave up the position two years ago and is now free to attend the Schools at her leisure!
Marie O’Hanlon: This is the first time Marie has attended a Merriman School. From the account she gives here she’s sure to be back! She told us that she especially enjoyed the social aspect of the School — dancing, music and company in particular.
Suzette Liddy: Suzette is originally from County Clare but now lives in Galway where she works as a counselor. She and her husband, John, have come to the School every year for the past four years as part of their summer holidays.
Colette Ní Mhoitleigh: Colette attended the first School in 1967 and she still attends regularly. She gave great service to the Cumann over many years as a meticulous treasurer. In this bilingual interview she shares the memories of a "Merriman survivor".
Tríona Ní Shíocháin: Tríona is from Cork. She is currently undertaking a doctoral thesis on Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire in University College Cork, under the direction of Dr. Seán Ua Súilleabháin. She was awarded a Cumann Merriman Scholarship to attend this School.

Interviews with Liam P. Ó Murchú

Liam is a lecturer in Irish at University College, Cork. He is the acknowledged authority on Cúirt an Mheán Oíche and his version of Cúirt an Mheon Oíche, 1982, is the definitive one. In this interview Liam describes Brian Merriman and the poem for those with no prior knowledge of them. He discusses the poem’s background, Merriman’s circumstances as he was writing it and the importance of the poem then and now.

Images

To view a larger version of any of the pictures below, just click on it.

Minister at the School

Michael Mac Dowell and Bob Collins, and they laughing

Michael Mac Dowell, the Minister for Justice, took a break from his summer holidays to chair Professor William Binchy’s lecture, Where should Marriage and Society meet — and Why? In this photo he is seen being welcomed by the School’s Director, Bob Collins.

Marriage under the microscope

A group of women, debating vigarously, around Donnachadh Ó Corráin

Marriage was a major theme of this School. Donnachadh Ó Corráin’s lecture on Marriage in Gaelic Ireland certainly engaged his audience: here is a picture of members of the audience discussing the subject with him after the seminar.

Maeve Binchy

A huge crowd thoroughly enjoyed the magical occasion where Maeve Binchy, a regular visitor to the School for many years, read the short story she wrote especially for Cumann Merriman. A Week in Summer had the Merriman Summer School as its theme and certainly captured the essence of what a Merriman School is!

Reading of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche

Ciaran Carson, Máire Ní Neachtain, Bríd Ní Neachtain agus Deirdre Carson on the stage, and they smiling at the camera

Ciarán Carson is the latest person to translate Cúirt an Mheán Oíche. He read extracts from his translation, Bríd Ní Neachtain then read the original versions of the same extracts and Ciaran and his wife Deirdre played music as part of the presentation.

And the day’s work done…

Gabriel Rosenstock and Aideen Friel in the Roadside tavern, smiling at the camera

Aideen Friel was Cumann Merriman’s popular Press Officer for many years, and now has a chance to enjoy the Schools at her ease. Here is Aideen and the poet Gabriel Rosenstock, a hard day’s intellectual labour behind them, relaxing after a lecture.

Ireland under Two Unions 1805 — 2005

Garett Fitz Gerald and members of the Merriman Committee smiling at the camera

Garett Fitz Gerald, former Taoiseach, gave a lecture entitled Ireland under Two Unions 1805 — 2005 to the School. Here is Dr. Fitz Gerald and Professor Ronan Fanning, chairman for the night, along with Liam Ó Dochartaigh, Cathaoirleach, Máire Ní Neachtain, Leas‑chathaoirleach and Bob Collins, Director of the School.

Happy out at School

Liam Mac an Iomaire and Aisling Ní Bheacáin, and they smiling at the camera

Liam Mac an Iomaire, teacher, broadcaster, singer and raconteur is a regular attender at Merriman Schools. Indeed, the School is very grateful to him for the fine singing sessions led by him. Here is Liam and Aisling Ní Bheacháin, Cumann Merriman’s busy Press Officer.

A fine day…

Nuala O’Faolain and Liam Ó Dochartaigh standing outdoors, and they smiling for the camera

Nuala O’Faolain is a good friend of Cumann Merriman and spoke at the symposium The Battle Largely Won? Women 200 years after Merriman. Here is Nuala, enjoying the summer sun in Lisdoonvarna in the company of Cathaoirleach Chumann Merriman, Liam Ó Dochartaigh.

The Pumphouse

The main events of the School took place in the Spa Wells Centre, and the Opening reception, Cúirt an Mheán Lae and the launch of the CD, Cúirt an Mheáin Oíche were held in the lovely building, the Pumphouse. It is in this house that the famous restorative waters of Lisdoonvarna are found.

Haiku ar an sean‑nós!

Gabriel Rosenstock ‘á windáil’ by Máire Ní Neachtain in the Roadside Tavern, and Liam P. Ó Murchú with them

Post‑school company and conviviality is a principle part of any Merriman School! The Roadside Tavern was the centre of this important endeavour this year. Here you have Gabriel Rosenstock "á windáil" by Máire Ní Neachtain, as he recites haiku poetry! Liam P. Ó Murchú, on the right, conducts an analysis!

Friends together

Maire Ní Neachtain, Seán Mac Réamoinn and Diarmuid Breathnach, and they smiling for the camera

It gave attendees at the School great pleasure to warmly welcome Dr. Seán Mac Réamoinn, and his keen memories of the first School impressed them greatly. Here is Seán with Máire Ní Neachtain, and Diarmuid Breathnach to his right.

CD launch 1

Máire Ní Neachtain, Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh, Noel Crowley and Pádraig Ó hIrghile, and they smiling for the camera

Clare County Libraries released a CD of Seán Ó Ceallaigh, a native speaker of the county, reciting the Court. It was launched by his son, Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh. Along with him here are Noel Crowley, the County Librarian and Pádraig Ó hIrghile, patron of Cumann Merriman and Chairman of Clare County Council.

Trip to Merriman country

Merriman School participanta, and they going into Peppers pub in Feakle

No School is complete without the School tour. This year’s outing brought us to Brian Merriman’s home territory near Loch Gréine and Feakle. There was food and drink, East-Clare music and a lively talk from Professor Willie Smyth in this well‑known Feakle pub.

Lively Debate

Dr. Úna Nic Éinrí gave a stimulating, controversial lecture on Merriman’s Ireland? She suggested that readers might try a kiastic analysis of the Cúirt, and that new understandings of the poem might result from this. Here is Úna in discussion with members of the audience after her lecture.

Scholarships

Merriman Scholars 2005, and they smiling for the camera

Each year, a number of Scholarships are awarded to enable students to attend Cumann Schools. From right to left are Bob Collins, Tríona Ní Shíocháin, Síle Ní Mhurchú, Carol Ní Bhriain, Máire Ní Neachtain, Liam Ó Dochartaigh, Pádraig Ó Liatháin and Deirdre Nic Mhathúna.

CD launch 2

Muiris Ó Rócháin, and he giving a lecture in the Pumphouse

Cumann Merriman organised a dramatic reading of Cúirt an Mheon‑Oíche for the 2005 Winter School, with Eoghan Ó hAnluain, Áine Ó Ceallaigh, Audrey Ní Fhearghail, Alan Titley and Doireann Ní Bhriain. A CD of the reading, issued by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, was launched by Muiris Ó Rócháin.