Merriman Summer School 2015: Love and Marriage Revisited. Glór, Ennis 12th -15th August

Booking is now open for this year’s Merriman Summer School, which will be launched in glór, Ennis, County Clare, on Wednesday, August 12th by former Supreme Court Judge, Catherine McGuinness. Running until Saturday August 15th, the school offers an attractive mix of lectures and seminars, concerts and poetry readings in a convivial atmosphere open to all. This year’s theme is Love and Marriage revisited, and a range of topics will be addressed by a fine panel of speakers chosen by this year’s Director, UCC sociologist, Dr. Linda Connolly. Academics and writers, sociologists and historians will all bring their own perspectives on this timely theme. 20 years ago this year the 1995 Divorce Referendum, which passed by a narrow majority, took place, and in his opening lecture, Prof.Tony Fahey of UCD will take a look at what actually happened following that decision. The introduction this year of the Children and Family Relationships Act, and the passing by a large majority of the same sex marriage referendum set the context for many of the other presentations. There will be a historical perspective as well, culminating in a History Ireland hedge school with Tommy Graham and others entitled ‘Love and Marriage since the Famine’ on the Saturday evening.

In addition, there are free lunchtime poetry readings (with Rita Ann Higgins, Ailbhe Ni Ghearbhuigh and Doireann Ni Ghriofa), a special author interview with Donal Ryan on the Saturday morning, a talk from Cork writer Cónal Creedon entitled Love or Marriage? and a gala concert on Friday evening presented by Canada-based Clare-born academic and musician, Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin. The event is entitled Love and Marriage in the musical landscape of Co. Clare and will feature performances by some of Clare’s finest musicians.

The Director of the 2015 summer school is Dr. Linda Connolly, Director of the Institute for Social Science in the 21stCentury in UCC. Her publications include work on Irish feminism, social movements and family life. Other speakers addressing the school are Roy Foster, Lucy McDiarmid, Tom Inglis, Patricia Coughlan, Conor O’Mahony, Carol Coulter, Anne Byrne, Sandra McAvoy, Roisín Ryan-Flood, Máire Ni Annracháin, Síle Ní Mhurchú, Diarmuid Ó Giolláin, William J. Smyth.

All events take place in glór, Ennis. Tickets may be bought for the full school or for individual events, and may be pre-booked, or bought on the door. More info at www.merriman.ie Booking: www.glor.ie & 065 684 3103.