Cumann Merriman Berlin event 2006

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

Merriman in Berlin

Host to the Cumman Merriman event in Berlin.

Introduction

In 2006, Cumann Merriman organised a special School in Berlin to celebrate Ludwig Ch. Stern’s 1905 German version of Chúirt an Mheán Oíche.

The School was opened by His Excellency Seán Ó hUiginn, Irish Ambassador to Germany, who announced funding from Ciste Léann na Gaeilge for seven German Universities to support the teaching of the Irish‑language and Celtic Studies abroad.

Speakers included Liam P. Ó Murchú, Joachim Fischer, Professor Pádraig Ó Riain and Professor Hildergard Tristram.

Dates: 23rd March – 24th March.
Location: Humboldt University (Unter den Linden).

The School Programme

Thursday 23rd March

18.30 Reception: Humboldt University (Unter den Linden), home to a sound archive including many 20th century recordings of Irish‑speakers.
19.30 Opening of the School: By the Irish Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Seán Ó hUiginn.
Presentation: By Liam Ó Dochartaigh, Cathaoirleach of Cumann Merriman. An introduction to Cumann Merriman, its foundation, history and aims, and an introduction to Brian Merriman and his famous poem, Cúirt an Mheán Oíche.
20.00 Lecture: Preparing the Ground: Ludwig Stern and the German Contribution to Celtic Studies by Professor Pádraig Ó Riain, University College, Cork and Humboldt prizewinner. Chairwoman: Hildegard L.C. Tristram, University of Freiburg.
21.00 Readings from Cúirt an Mheán Oíche: Read in German by Hildegard L.C. Tristram and Arne Peters, and in Irish by Eoghan Ó hAnluain and Áine Uí Cheallaigh. Cathaoirleach: Liam Ó Dochartaigh.
22.30 Club Merriman: Conviviality, congeniality and song in the Clarion Hotel with the traditional singers, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill and Lillis Ó Laoire.

Friday 24th March

09.30 Lecture: Merriman’s Cúirt: The Autograph, The Manuscripts and the Editors by Liam P. Ó Murchú, University College, Cork. Cathaoirleach: Dr. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail.
10.30 Lecture: From Stern to Kirsch: Explaining Merriman to the Germans by Dr. Joachim Fischer, University of Limerick. Cathaoirleach: An Dr. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail.
11.00 Tea break: Refreshments.
11.30 Lecture: The Current Position of Irish and Celtic Studies in the German Speaking Countries by Professor, Dr. Hildegard L.C. Tristram, University of Freiburg. Cathaoirleach: Dr. Liam Mac Mathúna, St. Patrick’s College, Dromcondra.
12.30 Lunch: The Twelve Apostles Restaurant.
14.30 Visit to Sound Archives, Humboldt University: Conducted by Sabine Heinz and the archive administrator, Jurgen Marenholz.
19.30 Reception: Invitation to the Ambassador’s Residence from His Excellency Seán Ó hUiginn, Irish Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Look Back at the School

We've compiled a selection of video clips, audio clips (mainly songs) and photographs taken at the 2006 Merriman event in Berlin. Hopefully this will give our visitors a taste of the atmosphere at this event and let you know what to expect from our next School.

And if you were one of the attendees in Berlin, we hope this page brings back a few pleasant memories!

Photographs

Cumann Merriman: With the Friday lectures concluded, here are the participants of the Berlin School gathered together on the main staircase of Humboldt University.
Arne Peters: Arne Peters, German scholar and student of Irish and Celtic Studies. He is pictured here on the Thursday night at Humboldt University having just participated in the reading of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche.
The Merriman Audience: The audience gathers in the lecture theatre in Humboldt University on the opening night.

Bríd Ní Catháin: Bríd Ní Catháin playing the harp at the Ambassador’s Residence, while His Excellency Seán Ó hUiginn and other Merriman guests gather around and listen.
On stage together: Here are the speakers who gave a recital from Chúirt an Mheán Oíche in German and Irish, in Humboldt University on Friday evening.
Sound archive: Some of the participants at the Cumann Merriman event in Berlin examining the Humboldt University sound archive.

Video Clips

Sliabh na mBan: 1.6MB / 1:14s Here is a traditional song from Áine Uí Cheallaigh, being sung in the Ambasador’s Residence on the Friday night. His Excellency the Ambasador is on the right hand side of the screen.
The Bonny Bunch of Roses: 2.8MB / 0:44s Liam Ó Dochartaigh, the Cathaoirleach of Cumann Merriman, is a man of many talents. Here he is, with the day’s events completed, singing at the reception in the Ambassador’s Residence. He does quite well too, if we say so ourselves!

An Casaideach Bán: 6.6MB / 1:45s The torment of love, piety and lament are common themes in traditional singing. All three come together in this song, sung here by Lillis Ó Laoire.
Róisín Dubh: 3.30MB / 0:52s Róisín Dubh is probably the most famous allegorical name for Ireland. This song was used to great effect by Seán Ó Riada in the soundtrack to the 1959 film, Mise Éire. It is sung here by Padraig Ó Cearbhaill.

Audio Clips

Mo Ghile Mear: 637KB / 2:43s Listen to this song, which is something of an anthem to the people of Músgraí Uí Fhloinn, sung by Pádraig Ó Cearabhaill in the Clarion hotel on the Thursday night — with enthusiastic support!
An Chúirt in German: 1.75MB / 7:39s Hildergard Tristram and Arne Peters read the start of Ludwig Ch. Stern’s German translation of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche.
Maedhbh Ní Cheallaigh: 793KB / 3:23s Harpist Bríd Ní Chatháin from Bearna in County Galway playing this beautiful piece on Friday night in the Ambassador’s residence.
Interview with Joachim Fischer: 2MB / 8:53s Joachim Fischer of the University of Limerick gave us a few minutes during Club Merriman on the Friday night to discuss the two German translations of Cúirt an Mheán Oíche.
Síle Ní Ghadhra: 744KB / 3:10s Síle is another allegorical embodiment of Ireland. The song can be heard here sung by Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill and much of the audience in the Ambassador’s Residence on the Friday night.

Interview with Seán Ó hUiginn: 591KB / 2:31s In this interview with His Excellency Seán Ó hUiginn, the Irish Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany discusses the significance of the Merriman visit and an important development in the field of Celtic Studies there. In Irish only.
A Mhamaí, Nach tú an Cladhaire?: 327KB / 1:23s Here we have Áine Uí Cheallaigh singing A Mhamaí, Nach tú an Cladhaire? on the Friday night in the Ambassador’s Residence.
Interview with Sabine Heinz: 461KB / 1:58s Sabine Heinz of Humboldt University discusses the long and remarkable history of this unique resource and also its particular importance to Irish‑language scholarship.
Bruach na Carraige Báine: 1MB / 5:46s This is very much a Munster song but is sung here by a man from Tír Chonaill, Lillis Ó Laoire, during Club Merriman on the Thursday night.
Contae Mhaigh Eo: 584KB / 2:29s Seosamh Ó Méalóid sang this famous Mayo song at the reception on the Friday night to honour the Ambassador’s native county.

Skip to: Home | Up | Prev | Gaeilge | Top of page

Cumann Merriman Berlin Event 2006 at Humboldt University

On This Page

Website Navigation