Programme Launch of the 2025 History Summer School
The 2025 Mícheál Ó’Cléirigh Summer School is set to take place in Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal from 9th to 11th May. The theme is “Diaspora and Homecoming / “Deoraithe ag filleadh ar ais go hÉireann””
The organising committee formally launched the 2025 Summer School programme in the Sandhouse Hotel, Rossnowlagh on Friday, 25 th April. The launch was attended by local representatives Councillor Michael Boyle and Councillor Michael Naughton, Anna Gallgaher, Mayor of Donegal Town and Senator Manus Boyle. Brendan Travers, Chairperson of Creevy Community Group and Barry Sweeny, Ballyshannon Regeneration Group were also in attendance.
The three-day Summer School event celebrates the legacy and work of Mícheál Ó’Cléirigh and the chroniclers who wrote the Annals of the Four Masters. The committee outlined a programme that celebrates all aspects of Irish culture. Councillor Michael Boyle, congratulated the committee for the work in organising the event and for preparing a programme with a range of events and guest speakers that celebrates our culture and history.
He said “this is a programme that has something for everyone”. Councillor Michael Naughton acknowledged the hard work of the committee in organising the event and said “the work, effort and time of the committee has made this event possible”. Anna Gallagher, Mayor of Donegal Town spoke about how the theme “Diaspora and Homecoming” is relevant today. She said: “there are strong parallels between Ireland’s experience in the time of Michael O’Cleirigh and our present time.”
As the launch concluded and conversations flowed, Senator Manus Boyle summed up the 2025 programme when he said, “this is an important event in Donegal and also nationally. It celebrates all aspects of Irish culture and history.”
The event starts on Friday evening, 9 th May with a reception at 6.30 p.m. in the Friary Hall, Rossnowlagh. Joe Mahon will then perform the official opening. The results of the art competition will then be announced. The evening will continue with music from Coláiste Cholmcille Choir and Ballyshannon Phil Rooney Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
On Saturday, 10 th May speakers will include: Professor John Mc Cafferty Director of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD. Mr. Pierce Ferriter, Professor Thomas O’Connor, Professor Charles Ivar McGrath, Ms Bridget Brennan and Professor Marian Lyons. This stellar list of speakers promisecontent that will inform, challenge, and stimulate conversations and discussions. The evening will finish with the Summer School dinner in the Sandhouse Hotel, Rossnowlagh, with music by Bel Canto The Summer School will conclude on Sunday 7 th May with Aifreann as Gaeilge in the Friary and a tour of Cultural / Historical tour of local sites.
Tickets are available from: info@mocleirigh.ie or mocleirighsummerschool@gmail.com or any committee member. More details are available at our website www.mocleirigh.ie. Also our Facebook page Micheal O Cleirigh Summer School @mocleirighschool.
Mark the dates in your diary and we look forward to meeting you all at the Summer School in May.
Joe Mahon to open the 2025 Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School
We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School will be opened by Joe Mahon, who will be familiar to most people by his programmes on UTV; ‘ A Lesser Spotted Ulster ‘ ‘Ulster Giants’ ‘Lesser Spotted Ireland’ and more recently ‘ Mahon’s Way’
In these programmes Joe examines the history and culture of a particular place, interviewing people who have an interest in their area, finding stories that bring history to life in a very relaxed way.
It is particularly important for a summer school that looks at Irish history from the late Medieval period to invite a person to open our school, who through his work has brought people enjoyment in their own place and perhaps has encouraged others to discover more about their own history and culture.
Joe Mahon, a native of Derry/ Londonderry, started his career as a schoolteacher, teaching English and History. He went on to work on BBC Radio Foyle as a contributor before becoming a producer. He then became manager of Radio Foyle, before moving to TV. He worked at the BBC and later joined UTV as a producer on their popular programme on local places called ‘McGilloway’s Way’ When Ollie McGilloway, the presenter of McGilloway’s Way, died unexpectedly in 1994, it was decided to relaunch the programme as ‘Lesser Spotted Ulster’ with Joe taking over as the presenter.
In the years since Joe’s relaxed manner in the way he interviews people about their place and home district has led to a number of like programmes such as Lesser Spotted Journeys, Ulster Giants, and Mahon’s Way.
For those not all that familiar with Joe Mahon’s TV programmes such as Lesser Spotted Ireland.
see: https://youtube.com/@lesserspottedireland?si=X5uiFKyj-P-XjJAZ
The Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School takes place over the weekend of Friday 9th May to Sunday 11th May in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal.
The 2024 Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School book is now available
Contact email: info@mocleirigh.ie
To learn more about the 2024 Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School go to the Home Page at: Home – Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School
Current Sponsors of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School
