THE MERRIMAN Summer school, which will be held in Co Clare next month, will feature a review of the achievements and legacy of the late president Dr Patrick Hillery.
The event, which takes place in Ennis from August 17th to 23rd, will have as its theme From Brian Ború to Patrick Hillery: continuity and change in Irish history and Society and will have a number of contributors examining the historical development of Co Clare.
Heart surgeon and Ennis native Dr Brian Maurer, who is medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation, will officially open proceedings, while the opening talk will be given by historian David Fitzpatrick of Trinity College Dublin, on the revolutionary period of 1913-21 in Clare.
Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB will speak on the history of the Franciscan friaries in Ennis, and the emphasis on local history will continue with talks on the Protestant tradition in Clare and on landed estates in the county during the 19th century.
Musician Fintan Vallely will give a talk on trends in traditional music with a particular emphasis on the traditional music of Co Clare.
Actor Donal O'Kelly will present a theatrical portrayal of the life of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, 400 years after he arrived in Rome in the aftermath of the Flight of the Earls.
The school will also feature "Cúirt an Mheán Oíche", a daily poetry reading event.
Lectures will also be provided in the Irish language, and will include Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail of UCD speaking on the O'Briens of Thomond and the Battle of Clontarf, while Stiofán Newman of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick will cover the life and work of 18th century poet Micheál Cuimín.
The first hundred days of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's period in office will be a theme of the Humbert Summer School, which takes place next month in Ballina, Co Mayo.
Speakers will include Mr Cowen, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, deputy Labour leader Joan Burton and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke.