Lisdoonvarna welcomes back Merriman

AFTER a three-year sojourn in Ennis, the Merriman Summer School will be held again in Lisdoonvarna from next Wednesday to Sunday, with events taking place in the Pavilion Theatre, the Royal Spa Hotel and other locations.
Prof Nóirín Hayes of DIT, an expert in childhood and children’s rights is director of the 2011 Summer School, which is entitled Changing Irish Childhoods. She has invited a distinguished group of speakers to the school, which promises to be engaging, informative and enjoyable. The theme is particularly timely given the recent appointment of a Minister with responsibility for children, Frances Fitzgerald, who will open the school, and in the light of serious concerns about Ireland’s record in protecting and caring for children. 
As a new Strategy for Children is being drafted, the summer school offers an opportunity to reflect on our views of children, our values as a society and our obligations to our youngest citizens.
The afternoons and evenings are devoted to lectures, seminars and panel discussions in English, while mornings offer symposia in English and in Irish on various aspects of the school’s theme. 
The ever-popular poetry readings take place at lunchtime each day during Cúirt an Mheán Lae, with a special highlight this year being the reading by one of Ireland’s most distinguished poets, Eavan Boland, on Thursday next at midday.
Among the other highlights this year are a joint presentation on youth suicide by psychiatrist and mental health expert, Kevin Malone and artist, Seamus McGuinness, whose artwork on the theme will be exhibited during the school and a dramatic presentation on youth mental health by the youth advisory panel, Jigsaw, from Galway.
Evening lectures are followed by music and dancing at Club Merriman.
Full information about the content of the school and details about all the speakers are available on www.merriman.ie. The summer school will be closed by Labour’s presidential candidate Michael D Higgins on Sunday, August 21.
All are welcome to attend. For further information contact by email eolas@merriman.ie or phone 086 382 0671.