This article is from page 39 of the 2011-06-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 39 JPG
THE changing role of children in Irish society will be the topic of this year’s Merriman Summer School, which returns to Lisdoonvarna for the first time in three years this August.
This year’s festival will take place just ahead of the Children’s Referendum, which is expected to take place in September or October of this year, and will include many of Ireland’s leading opinion-makers for what is expected to be an important event in shaping how that referendum will be fought.
The official line-up for the festival has not yet been announced but The Cla re People understands that DIT Professor Nóirín Hayes will be the director of this year’s school, which will include contributions from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald (FG), along with Fintan O’Toole, Professor Sheila Greene from Trinity College and Siobhán Parkinson, novelist, and Laureate na nÓg.
“It is great to have it back in Lisdoon after three years. It is a huge boost to the community in every way and for the tourism in the area,” said Marian O’Callaghan of Cumann Merriman.
“This stimulates a lot of discussion on a range of different topics and the media coverage alone for the area is very valuable. Huge change has taken place in the area over the last three years – the development of the Pavillion Theatre where the event will be staged is just one.”
One of Ireland’s most distinguished poets, Eavan Boland, will also read from her work.
“This is a really broad-based theme which will look at how Irish childhoods have developed over the years but also at changing Irish childhoods and how we might change into the future,” Mary O’Flaherty of Cumann Merriman.
“It is great to have speakers of this calibre on your doorstep and to have this level of discussion and debate coming here. As well, Merriman is like a large extended family with people coming back year after year. There is always a great atmosphere here for it.”
The Merriman Summer School will run in Lisdoonvarna from August 17 to 21.