SOME 30 speakers are in line for Merriman Summer School, taking place in Lisdoonvarna from Wednesday August 14 to Sunday 18.
‘Ireland, North and South – two societies growing apart?’ is the theme, stimulating a look at the two Irelands over the past 15 years since the Good Friday Agreement. Merriman is directed this year by Andy Pollak of the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh.
Fianna Fáil leader Mícheal Martin will deliver the opening lecture on Wednesday 14 at 8.30pm. The closing event on Sunday 18 at 11am will feature MEP Marian Harkin and East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long and will be followed by a special Burren brunch featuring local growers, producers and chefs.
As well as prominent figures such as the former head of NI civil service Sir Ken Bloomfield, and Gerladine Smyth, director of the Irish School of Ecumenics taking part, there will be a round table of young politicians from North and South on Saturday 17 gathering, if not with respect to vision.
The guaranteed crowd pleaser will be the presence and power of Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley at Lisdoonvarna on the night of Friday 16, 8.30pm salute.
More details are on website www.merriman.ie
