Tag Archives: Brian Merriman

SCARIFF GAA Hall will be the venue for a dramatic ‘court’ case on Saturday night, November 19. The newly refurbished and extended hall will host Gerard Howard performing Brian Merriman’s The Midnight Court in an exciting one-man show, directed by Paul Brennan.  Written around 1780, Brian Merriman’s comic poem is set on the shores of Lough Graney. A classic of early modern Irish poetry, its themes include sex, gender roles and the manifestation of a God.  In The Midnight Court, the bachelor poet Merriman is put on trial for the crime of never getting married. The women of Ireland have him up before a court in Feakle, presided over by the Goddess Aoibheal, who demands him to account for this outrageous oversight. Gerard Howard, a Clare native will switch roles from Merriman to maiden, from old codger to goddess, from harridan to 18-foot tall bailiff, exposing the shortcomings of the men of Ireland. Not even the clergy escape Merriman’s scabrous …

WHILE plans for a landmark sculpture in Ennistymon have been paused, there has been no let-up in the debate over the proposed Púca. In recent days, celebrities, artists, historians, folklorists and an MEP have weighed in, in support of Aidan Harte’s proposals for a 2metre high half-man, half-horse on Lower Church Hill. Opposition to the bronze structure has also ramped up in recent days with an online petition under the heading of ‘The People of Ennistymon say NO to the Puca statue’. As of Wednesday lunchtime, it had gathered 244 signatures and is set to be forwarded to Clare County Council by the end of the week. Offers of alternative accommodation for the statue have come from all over Ireland, with folklorist Eddie Lenihan proposing that Crusheen might provide a suitable home. “It may not be the púca as portrayed in Irish folk tradition, but it is a fine piece of sculpture nonetheless,” he said. “Crusheen has grown enormously in …

Ennis Chamber has welcomed the return of the Merriman School back to the county capital for 2014. Taking place from Wednesday to Sunday week in Glór, Merriman has since its foundation in 1967, celebrated the work of Poet Brian Merriman and the history and traditions of Thomond,as well as promoting interest in all aspects of Irish culture. CEO of Ennis Chamber Rita Mc Inerney said, “Ennis Chamber is delighted that the Merriman School has returned to Ennis this year. The school is a very unique and distinguished festival in the Irish calendar with and impressive programme of topics and speakers. Ennis Chamber would like to encourage the business community to show their support for the festival through their welcome and interest in the programme of events. “The Merriman School attracts a broad range of people locally, nationally and internationally to Ennis over the five days, resulting in an economic boost to the business community. In turn Ennis has much to offer …