Douglas Hyde Conference 2016

It’ll be my third year in the chair. An outstanding line-up of speakers will address the conference on the theme ‘Telling Tales of Revolution’. But it’s ‘tales’ in a very broad sense. Robert Ballagh will talk on the story-telling in his paintings; Derek Warfield, founder of the Wolfe Tones, on his experience from  a lifetime singing rebel songs; Alan Titley on the references to revolution in Gaelic literature prior to 1916. Frank Allen will tell the story of ‘Twelve Days In May’, a film on James Connolly, which is now in production under the direction of Danny Boyle and is due for international release in the autumn. Gerald Dawe, Luke Gibbons, Vincent Pierse, Niamh Parsons, Liz Gillis and Kevin Hora on a diverse range of topics; the conference takes place in Ballagderreen, Co Roscommon on July 21st.

Information at  http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Community/Arts_Office/the-douglas-hyde-conference.html

Douglas Hyde Conference 2015

For the second year running I'm convening and will be chair the Conference, which will be held on Thursday July 16^th 2015 in the BMW Conference Room, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.  This year it is entitled "Protectors of our Heritage: saving the notes of nationality, our footsteps, language and customs".

After last year's conference, which highlighted  aspects of heritage that are suffering from neglect, this year we are drawing attention to the efforts of individuals or groups who are at forefront of preserving our heritage.

From a spectacular example such as Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, the heart of Belfast's Gaeltacht quarter in Belfast, (surely it's time for Dublin to get the finger out on this one); to, (a favourite of mine), the preservation of holy wells around the country; to story-telling, a centuries-old Irish specialty. I'm especially looking forward to hearing how the local 'Lakes and Legends Tourism Group' are progressing in their drive to bring attention to the extraordinary archaeological and historical sites that are local to Ballaghaderreen itself. (Visit Lough Gara Lakes and Legends website  http://www.loughgaralakesandlegends.ie/}

Clogher Stone Fort near Ballaghaderreen, may be 2,500 years old.

                                       
I will post more information on this later, but if you've free time in July, or you're a visitor to Ireland, this is an entertaining, informative day in the unspoilt heart of  the country.

 

The Douglas Hyde Conference 2014

I’m chairing this year’s conference, which takes place on July 18^th in Ballaghaderreen. Entitled ‘The Unsaved Harvest: Rural Ireland’s Cultural Heritage’, it celebrates the richness of rural Ireland’s culture, with talks, discussion, poetry, music  and song. Taking counties from the north midlands and northwest as typical of rural Ireland, it will highlight the greatness of figures such as John McGahern, Oliver Goldsmith,  Douglas Hyde,Turlough O’Carolan, James Coleman, Margaret Cousins and Brian O’Doherty, not just in Irish culture, but world culture.

And it asks the question, are we making enough of this  cultural heritage?  When people travel through Ireland, are they aware that they are passing through the landscapes that inspired some of these towering names.

A great line up of speakers and entertainers including Vincent Woods, Brian Leyden, Catherine Marshall, W.J. McCormack ( aka Hugh Maxton)and  Noel O’Grady among others will bring it all life. A wonderful day is in store.