Cumann Merriman Summer School 2008

What to Expect

The 2008 Merriman Summer School takes place in Ennis, County Clare and promises an exciting six days of stimulating discussions and conviviality. In returning to Ennis, where the first Summer School took place, this year’s gathering takes the opportunity to reassess our cultural heritage and societal mores at a time of rapid change in Ireland. There will also be a special focus on history and society in County Clare and Thomond. The Summer School is bilingual: most of the lectures are in English.

Ennis, with its restaurants, museums, libraries and lively pub scene is an ideal location for the Summer Schoool. The state of the art Glór Theatre will be the principal venue, and Club Merriman will be held each evening in the graceful Old Ground Hotel. Ennis is easily accessed by rail and road and offers a wide range of accommodation; beaches, the Burren, and the majestic river Shannon are accessible within a short distance.

Highlights

Highlights of this year’s programme will include a discussion by Carmel Wynne of The Irish Times on sexuality in modern society. Economist and media commentator Marc Coleman will address Ireland’s predicted recovery of population to 8 million people in this century and its regional implications. In a lecture illustrated by musical excerpts Fintan Vallely will discuss past and current trends in traditional music with a particular emphasis on the traditional music of County Clare.

Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB will speak on the Ennis and Quin Franciscan friaries. The opening lecture will be given by Professor David Fitzpatrick of Trinity College Dublin. David is the author of Politics and Irish Life 1913 – 21, the definitive work on the War of Independence in County Clare.

The Wednesday afternoon tour, with guides and guest speakers, will give attendees the chance to take in some of the cultural and historical highlights of the surrounding hinterland. The trip will include a visit to the evocative Quin Abbey and to Magh Adhair, the inauguration mound of the O’Briens.

This year, four hundred years after the Earls reached Rome, visitors to the Merriman Summer School will have the opportunity to view a powerful theatrical portrayal of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone (1550 – 1616), as they have never imagined him before!

The Wednesday evening show, Running Beast will be performed by award-winning actor/writer Donal O’Kelly to music by Celtic Music Prize‑winning composer Michael Holohan for uilleann pipes (Mick O’Brien), string quartet (Máire Bhreathnach, Steve Larkin, Simone Mendonca and Diane O’Keeffe), double bass (Dan Bodwell), harpsichord (composer Michael Holohan) and percussion (Robbie Harris). Donal O’Kelly’s stunning one man shows (including the acclaimed Catalpa) have played to capacity audiences internationally. Running Beast is described as a chamber-orchestra historical trad‑rap and is much anticipated.

Poetry & History

Cúirt an Mheán Oíche, the daily poetry readings have become a cherished part of the Summer School line up in recent years. This year’s featured poets are Medhb Mc Guckian, Micheal O’Siadhail, Colm Breathnach and Bríd Ní Mhóráin. A local history strand of talks during the week will feature David Butler on the Protestant tradition in county Clare; Raymond Gillespie on history, local and global; Michael Griffin on the Ennis poet Thomas Dermody; and Mathew Lynch on landed estates in 19th century Clare.

The Irish language heritage of County Clare is an important strand in our national heritage. Speakers confirmed for the popular strand of Irish language lectures include Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail of UCD, on the O’Briens of Thomond and the Battle of Clontarf; Stiofán Newman (MIC Limerick) on Micheál Cuimín; scholar Vincent Morley on the poetry of Aodh Buí Mac Cruitín; and Eilís Ní Dheá with expert analysis of the Gaelic manuscript tradition of County Clare.

There is also the option of the ‘Renew your Irish’ workshops for those seeking to practise their Irish in an informal setting.

Patrick Hillery Tribute

On Saturday a special commemorative event will take place in honour of a great Clareman and our Patron of Cumann Merriman for 30 years. President Hillery’s Ireland will review the achievements and legacy of President Patrick J. Hillery and his era.

Beidh fáilte romhat!