15th Annual Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School launched in Kiltyclogher

The 15th annual Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School was launched by Councillor Ita Reynolds-Flynn, Cathairloach of Leitrim County Council in Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre on Monday, 22nd May. 

The launch was also attended by the CEO of Leitrim County Council, Mr. Lar Power, councillors Sean McDermott, Padraig Fallon, Frank Dolan, Felim Gurn, Mary Bohan and Frank Feighan T.D.

L-R Back Row: Oisin Keaney, John Keaney, Kathleen McCaffrey, Rosella Keaney, Lar Power CEO Leitrim County Council, Frank Feighan TD, Pat Fox, Cllr Frank Dolan, Cllr Sean McDermott, Cllr Felim Gurn, Regina Fahey, Anna Pomaran, Cllr Mary Bohan.
LR Front Row: Patricia McCaffrey, Sinead McDermott Leitrim Tourism, Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council, Catherine Fox.

This year’s event will take place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June with the opening ceremony taking place at the Mac Diarmada cottage at  5.30pm on Friday 9th June.

The summer school opening ceremony will offer contributions from various people with the event itself being opened by Cllr Sean McDermott.

The committee noted with gratitude the continued support offered to the event by Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Tourism.

The summer school theme for 2023 is “Ireland’s place in a world in crisis:  examining the cultural, economic, political and social effects on Ireland in the midst of a global crisis.” 

Friday 9th June:

Vincent Woods - playwright, poet, news and current affairs and arts broadcaster, currently working with RTE Radio 1. 
“Hope, History and Human Intelligence”  will examine the cultural aspect of the theme. 

Patricia Groves - communications professional will offer insight with regard to managing current crises in our country, and globally, in her presentation entitled: “Lessons from the Ladies’ Land League: Managing a Country in Crisis During Global Upheaval.”

Saturday 10th June: 

Dr. Tony Bates, clinical psychologist and head of the Dept of Psychology at St. James’ Hospital, Dublin and founder of Jigsaw  -   National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Tony Bates’ presentation is entitled: “What Psychology Has to Offer in a Frantic World - Widening the Aperture of Our Awareness.”

Dr. Micheline Sheehy Skeffington - President of the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. 
 Micheline will address the environmental and ecological issues of the day in Ireland in her presentation entitled “Ireland’s Native Flora - Is It In Crisis?”

Senator Emer Currie - Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson for Northern Ireland, Special Education and Inclusion. Emer will present on “Convergence Versus Divergence in a Changing World.” -  addressing the most pertinent political and economic issues of the day. 

Fr. Peter McVerry - will bring the event to a close with his presentation entitled: “Ireland in Crisis - How Can Intelligent People Be So Stupid?” 

Booking details can be found on www.seanmacdiarmada.ie or by contacting Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre on 071-98-54865.

Lar Power, CEO Leitrim County Council, Frank Feighan TD, Cllr Frank Dolan, Cllr Feilim Gurn, Sinead McDermott, Leitrim Tourism, Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Counicl, Cllr Mary Bohan.