Monday 16 May 2011

Merriman Summer School 2011

Cumann MerrimanChanging Irish Childhoods is the title of this year’s Summer School, which runs from August 17th to 21st in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, and Cumann Merriman is delighted to announce the appointment of Prof Nóirín Hayes of DIT, an expert in childood and children’s rights, as Director of the 2011 Summer School. Ireland has made a number of very strong commitments to children over the last decade culminating in the recent appointment of a full minister with responsibility for children. This year’s school will take the opportunity to consider our vision for children, reiew what we know about contemporary Irish childhood and reflect on children past and present from different perspectives. The School will be opened by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and among the speakers will be Fintan O’Toole of the Irish Times, Professor Sheila Greene TCD, Dr Joe Dunne St Patrick’s College and Siobhán Parkinson, novelist and Laureate na nÓg. Cumann Merriman is delighted that one of Ireland’s most distinguished poets, Eavan Boland, will read from her work at this year’s school. Among the ancillary events at the school, Galway-based group Jigsaw, a youth mental health and well-being service developed under the Headstrong initiative, will make a group presentation on their work and how they made a vision into a reality. Cumann Merriman was founded in 1967 in honour of Brian Merriman, author of the eighteenth century Rabelaisian poem ‘Cúirt an Mheán Oíche’ (The Midnight Court). Its annual summer school (conducted mainly in English) and winter school (in Irish) encourage debate on and celebration of many aspects of Irish life and culture. It is renowned for the calibre of its lectures, debates and performances, and for the convivial atmosphere of all its events. After 3 years in Ennis, the summer school is delighted to be returning to Lisdoonvarna this year. Full information is available on www.merriman.ie Press information: Doireann Ní Bhriain 087 2434814 doireann.merriman@gmail.com

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