This article is from page 16 of the 2011-07-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Michael D Higgins will be back on home soil next month for this year’s Merriman Summer School.
Higgins was one of a host of new speakers announced for this year’s event, which is expected to generate some fireworks in Lisdoonvarna with a number of very topical issues up for discussion.
Besides the focus brought to the events by the Presidential Election, a number of speakers have been added to the programme who have had, and continue to have, an intimate connection to the upcoming Children’s Rights Referendum.
The Summer School will be opened by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald (FG).
Also added to this year’s programme is former minister, Mary O’Rourke (FF), who played a role in the development of the Children’s Rights Referendum, as well as Fintan O’Toole, Joseph Dunne and Maria Corbett.
“I think when you look at the Cloyne Report and all the issues that have been in the media for the last number of days, then you do realise the importance of the topic,” said local organiser Marian O’Callaghan.
“Mary O’Rourke, who was very involved in the commission which looked for rights for children, will chair a heavyweight group in a discussion on the whole topic, so it should be very interesting stuff.
“Overall, though, this year’s programme will have the usual great mix that you would expect from the Merriman and, speaking as a Lisdoonvarna person, I am very happy to have it back here again this year.”
The director of this year’s Summer School is Professor Nóirín Hayes,who is a highly regarded expert in early childhood education and children’s rights and will attempt to address issues relating to Irish childhood, past and present, and consider a vision for the future.
“I think most of the topics are very timely.
“We often finish the festival with a general talk or chat and Michael D will taking time out from the campaign trail to do that this year,” continued Marian.
This year’s Summer School, which is on the topic of ‘Changing Irish Childhoods’, will take place in Lisdoonvarna from Wednesday. August 17 to Sunday. August 21.
For more information, visit www. merriman.ie.