The Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School 2016
Professor David Wilson, Canadian National Biographer and keynote speaker, is the author of two award winning biographies on Thomas D’Arcy McGee
An engaging, entertaining academic and political programme, as in other years, will include animated debate, a variety of views, original drama and music in the idyllic setting of Carlingford.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee 5th Annual Summer School will be held in Carlingford Heritage Centre on Aug. 22nd and 23rd.
The final programme of events for 2016 is available below.
Theme:
D’Arcy McGee, 1916 and Revolutionary Republicanism
Internationally renowned historians, academics, politicians and political activists will debate and reflect on McGee’s relevance to the current peace process, and the changing nature of revolutionary republicanism. This is a topic that is especially relevant in this decade of significant anniversaries.
Fringe Events:
- Courtroom Drama – ‘The Trial of P.H. Pearse’. In Anthony Russell’s play the premise is that Padraic Pearse is called from the grave to answer, in the Court of History, the charge that he committed treason against the People of Ireland. The prosecutor is Thomas D’Arcy McGee, a former Irish rebel who became a founding father of the Canadian Confederation. John Mitchel, an unrepentant republican from Young Ireland and the Fenians, is the defence lawyer. They too have returned from the grave for the occasion. All three shades are aware of what has happened in the world since they departed from it. After the evidence is presented the jury (the audience) will decide on Pearse’s guilt or innocence. The action takes place in Carlingford Courthouse and seating is limited – book early for this imaginative and challenging new drama.
- ‘The Trial of Charles Trevelyan’, a play from a previous summer school, by Larry McArdle with contributions from Kieran McCourt and Anthony Russell was performed to acclaim at this year’s Strokestown International Famine Conference;
- Exhibition: The 2016 theme, D’Arcy McGee, 1916 and Revolutionary Republicanism, will be reflected in an exciting new artifact donated by Ross Chapman;
- Canadian Irish Folk Night Introduced by Tommy Sands and Gerry O’Connor with special guests from both sides of the Atlantic;
- A themed dinner with his Excellency Ray Bassett, Irish Ambassador to Canada.
The programme for this years Summer School is now finalised click here to download your copy
Any queries should be forwarded to the Summer School Director – tommyfegan@gmail.com
This event is supported by The Community Fund administered by Louth County Council.
