Write a commentEU Commissioner Phil Hogan took the opportunity of speaking at the Thomas D'Arcy McGee Summer School in Carlingford last week to rebuke UK prime Minister’s lasts No Deal Brexit offering to the EU. The Commissioner was participating the annual Summer School’s popular Politicians’ Forum, along with leading Sinn Féin negotiator, Connor Murphy, MLA, Sir Jeffery Donaldson, DUP MP leader in Westminster, former SDLP minister Bríd Rogers and former Minister of Justice at Stormont, Claire Sugden, MLA.
The lively debate-Brexit, Back to the Future-was chaired by the indefatigable Eamonn Mallie, in his inimitable challenging interviewing style.
Canadian Irish Person of the Year Award
Dundalk born Pat O’Callaghan was this year’s recipient of the prestigious award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to fostering Canadian Irish links over many decades, and his active role in his local economies of St John’s Newfoundland and Co Louth. Pat is the second recipient, following the 2018 award to General John de Chastelain.
Cross Border Bodies
The 8th Summer School was considered by regulars as the best ever. As a balance to the combative context of the parliamentarians, the story of the practical areas of cross border cooperation under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council was traced by a panel of experts in this area, led by Tim O’Connor, a former senior member of the Irish negotiating team in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement, former Irish Ambassador to New York, and the first Joint Secretary General of the North South Ministerial Council.
Other speakers include former Irish Ambassador to Canada, Ray Bassett, author and journalist Ruth Dudley Edwards and Prof David Wilson, University of Toronto.
Social Programme
Highlights of the very engaging social programme of the summer school included the premier of Anthony Russell’s latest political and historical fantasy Conn O’Neill (Abt. 1574 – 1619), the last Gaelic Lord of east Belfast, called from the grave to answer the charge that he and his fellow chiefs, including Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, betrayed Ulster and her people. As always, Newpoint Players, under the masterful direction of Donal O’Hanlon, provided a world class theatrical performance in the superb and appropriate surroundings of the Carlingford Heritage Centre.
Gerry O’Connor’s Folk ‘n Trad night, with guest Dundalk flute player, Nula Kennedy, provided a highly accomplished mix of the best of Oriel exquisite song and dance music, as a welcome respite from the onerous deliberations of the lectures and debates. They have just returned from an acclaimed performance at the World Folk Fair in Australia. You can also see Gerry when he performs at Iúr Cinn Fleadh in Newry on Sunday 8 September.
