This article is from page 8 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE life and times of Michael Cusack will be the central theme up for discussion at this years Merriman Summer School when it takes place Lisdoonvarna next month.
The programme for this years school, which will be officially announced at the deValera library in Ennis later today (Tuesday), contains a variety of discussion, lectures and talks marking the centenary of the death of the Carron man who founded the GAA.
The Summer School will be officially opened on August 19 by the former President of the GAA, Seán Kelly, will give a talk entitled ‘Cusack and The GAA Today’.
“The overall theme of the Merriman this year is Michael Cusack and his time so we will be talking a lot about revival and renewal, both in terms of sport and culture in general,” said Michael Griffin, Director of this year’s Summer School. “We will be looking at the people who were in favour of this change and also those who were not in favour of it.”
Indeed, the ideals of James Joyce on citizenship and the cultural nationalism movement will be used as a counterpoint to Cusacks during the Summer School.
“For some people Cusack is a very contentious figure. There is something strange about him and people see him in very different ways. There are a lot of issues about the notions of citizenship which are very much still important questions in today’s society,” continued Mr Griffin.
“On the Wednesday evening there will be a performance of the Cyclops episode from Ulysses. It is a controversial episode where a character appears who is believed to be based on Michael Cusack. There is a clash in Joyce between his own cosmopolitan side and the cultural nationalism that is represented in the Cusack character.”
Other highlights of the Summer School include a seminar on ‘The Ranch War Around Carron’ with Breandán Ó Cathaoir and lectures on the ‘Narrative of Hurling’ by Daithí Ó hÓgáin and ‘Irish-Ireland: Self Delusion Then and Now’ by John Murphy and Chaired by the former Director of RTE Bob Collins.
“Directing the Summer School has been a hugely fulfilling experience and I am delighted to have been called on,” continued Mr Griffin. “It is a rare opportunity to mix extra curricular activities, such as sort, with academic life. To be allowed to place a figure who was iconic in his context is a challenge but also something that I have very much enjoyed.”