MacGill Summer School & Arts Week 2007

Scoil Shamraidh agus Seachtain Ealaine Mhic a Ghoill
Glenties, Co. Donegal July 15th - 20th 2007
Priorities for Government for the Next Five Years

This the 27^th Annual MacGill Summer School, coincides with the coming to power of a new government in Dublin and a new power sharing executive in Belfast. In the tradition of the MacGill School, forward looking and dealing with contemporary Ireland, the challenges facing the new administrations will be at the heart of discussion and analysis in Glenties for a week in July and of course they are many.

High on the list of priorities is the economy. It is universally accepted that the Irish economy is still performing very well with a continuing growth rate that is the envy of Europe. Nevertheless there are worrying signs that the Celtic Tiger has tired somewhat, particularly in the crucial areas of productivity and competitiveness and of course there is the projected slowdown in the construction industry which accounts for a high, too high it is argued, proportion of our industrial activity. Innovation, a new impetus and the introduction of new corrective measures and policies are obviously needed if Ireland is to go on providing the current levels of employment and maintain its place in the league of top world economies.

Another priority for government, as the price of oil continues to rise, some producing areas remaining very unstable and our high dependency on imported fuels, is energy. And allied to this is of course greenhouse gas emissions and climate change which is now generally accepted to be one of the great challenges facing mankind. The last government's White Paper, with its emphasis on the need to develop new sources of energy, replace fossil fuels by renewable energy and implement energy saving measures is now in urgent need of action. And of course, hovering in the background, is the debate about nuclear energy which, far from going away, has now moved to centre stage.

Still with us and, following the general election even more present, is the debate about the state of our health service. In spite of considerable amounts of taxpayers' money having been spent on it for over a decade, the health service remains in a perilous and unsatisfactory state and represents one of the greatest challenges facing the new government. The measures to be implemented over the next five years will be to the fore in the session dealing with health at the MacGill School.

Other priorities facing the government as it takes up office and which will be analysed and debated in Glenties in July include infrastructure, investment in education and adapting it to current needs, our place in and contribution to an expanding and developing European Union, the difficulties of life in rural areas with services gradually being withdrawn to the bigger centres and our youth and what is happening to them. And with an exciting new era opening up for the people of Northern Ireland, what are the social and economic imperatives for the Executive?

As always at MacGill, a huge amount of discussion and debate with up to forty leading contributors, including members of the government and opposition and, as always, a lively cultural programme that will include poetry, music and art.

And all of this against the background of one of Ireland's tidy towns, Glenties, and the stunning mountain and ocean scenery of Donegal. ________________________________________________

All information available, during week of Summer School, at Summer School Office, opposite Highlands Hotel.

Previous Summer School Publications and Brighter Days in Donegal by Colm Melly, The Journey Home, by Charles J. Shovlin, for sale in the Summer School Office.

Website:  www.patrickmacgill.com

The Director and Committee of the MacGill Summer School gratefully acknowledge the generous assistance of

• Donegal County Council,
• RTE
• Mr. Martin Naughton, Glen Dimplex
• Donegal Local Development Company
• E.U. Commission, Dublin

ST CONELL'S MUSEUM

Exhibits of local history– Open daily 10.00 a.m.—12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.

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Theme – 'The priorities for Government for the next Five years'.

Programme of Events

SUNDAY, JULY 15th - FRIDAY, JULY 20th 2007

[Image Above: British Ambassador, Stewart Eldon and Joe Mulholland, Director of the MacGill Summer School]

SUNDAY, JULY 15^{th :}

4.30 p.m.    
Patrick MacGill Poetry Awards
Presented by Frank Galligan, Poet and Columnist

6.00 p.m.    
Opening of exhibition of Paintings by Johnny Boyle
in Highlands Hotel

8.30 p.m.    
OFFICIAL OPENING OF 27^TH MACGILL SUMMER SCHOOL by MR. ENDA KENNY TD, LEADER, FINE GAEL
followed by
Short recital by Donegal Camerata String Quartet
followed by
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL JOHN HUME LECTURE
delivered by
FR. ALEC REID C. Ss. R and THE REVD. HAROLD GOOD, OBE, former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland CHAIR: Brid Rodgers, former Deputy-Leader SDLP and former N.I. Minister.

A reception will follow (Courtesy of the EU Commission Office in Dublin - Tickets available in Summer School Office on Main Street, Tel. 074 95 51103).

MONDAY JULY 16^{th :}

11.00 a.m.
LESSONS FROM ELECTION 2007.
Frank Flannery, Director of Elections Fine Gael
Noel Whelan, Barrister, Irish Times Columnist, Author of “Tallyman's Campaign Handbook 2007”
Chair: Tim Ryan, Public Affairs Consultant and Journalist

2.OO p.m.
CENSUS 2006-THE IMPLICATIONS FOR GOVT.
Aidan Punch, Central Statistics Office(CSO)
Prof. Brendan Walsh, former Head of Dept. Economics UCD Member, Public Service Benchmarking Body Chairperson of ESRI
Chair: Martin McGinley, Editor-in Chief, The Derry Journal

4.00 p.m.
THE DONEGAL WOMAN by John Throne
A novel based on the true story of the author's grandmother.
READINGS BY THE AUTHOR

8.30.p.m.
SUSTAINING THE CELTIC TIGER
Brian CowenTD, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance
Joan Burton TD Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance
Jim O'Hara, General Manager, Intel, Vice-President, TMG, Intel Corporation, President, American Chamber of Commerce
Brian O'Connell, MD Westpark Business Park, Shannon
Chair: Martin Territt, Director EU Commission Rep. in Ireland

TUESDAY JULY 17th :

11.00 a.m.
SAVING OUR ENVIRONMENT
John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Govt.
Dr. John Sweeney, Geography Dept., NUI Maynooth
Eamon Gilmore TD, Labour Party Spokesperson on Environment
Chair: Michael Daly, Editor-in-Chief, Donegal Democrat

2.00 p.m.           
TACKLING CRIME
Brian Lenihan TD, Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform

Poetry
4.00 p.m.
Francis Harvey, Poet, reads from his work

8.30 p.m.
PROVIDING OUR ENERGY
Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
Padraig MacManus CEO, Electricity Supply Board
David Taylor CEO, Sustainability Energy Ireland (SEI)
Dr. Ed Walsh, Founding President, Univ. of Limerick
Chair: Sean O'Rourke, RTE Presenter, “News At One”, “The Week in Politics”.

WEDNESDAY JULY 18^{th :}

11.00 a.m.
REFORMING THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Jim O'Leary, Dept of Economics, NUI Maynooth, Former member of Benchmarking Body
Peter McLoone, President ICTU, Gen Sec. Impact
Cormac Lucey, former Advisor to Michael McDowell TD
Colm McCarthy, Dept. of Economics UCD
Chair: Anita Guidera, N.W. Correspondent, Irish Independent.

Poetry

4.00 p.m.
Matthew Sweeney, Poet, reads from his work including his new collection.

8.30 p.m.
REFORMING THE HEALTH SERVICE
Liz Mc Manus TD, Deputy-Leader, Labour Party
Prof. Orla Hardiman, Neurologist Beaumont Hospital
Brian Hayes, TD, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Health
Michael Scanlan, Secretary-General, Dept. of Health & Children.
Chair: Mary Harte, Journalist and Broadcaster, BBC NI.

THURSDAY JULY 19^{th :}

11.00 a.m.
DEVELOPING LIFE IN RURAL IRELAND
Eamon O Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.
Donal Connell Chief Executive, An Post
Catherine Buckley, Nat. President, Macra na Feirme
Chair: Charlie Collins, MD, Highland Radio

4.00 p.m.
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC
Renowned Donegal Fiddlers, Vincent and Jimmy Campbell

8.30 p.m.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION
Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Education & Science
Dr. John Hegarty, Provost, Trinity College Dublin
Prof. Tom Collins, Head of Dept. of Education, NUI, Maynooth
Chair: Judge Yvonne Murphy, Chairperson, Dublin, Diocese Commission of Enquiry.

FRIDAY, JULY 20^{th :}

11.00 a.m.
REINFORCING THE EUROPEAN UNION
Dick Roche TD, Minister of State for Europe
Ruairi Quinn TD Labour Party
Prof. Brigid Laffan, UCD
Roger Liddle Advisor to EU President Barroso, former Advisor to British PM, Tony Blair
Chair: Terry Stewart, former Head of EU Commission Office in Ireland.

4.00 p.m.
THE FOUR TENORS
A Concert of MUSIC & SONG

8.30 P.M.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister, N.I. Executive
Ian Paisley Junior MLA, Junior Minister, Office of First Minister and Deputy-First Minister
Nuala O'Loan, Police Ombudsman for N.I. Stephen Kingon, Chairperson, Invest Northern Ireland
Chair: Michael McLoone, Donegal County Manager, Board Member, HSE.
All events will take place in the Highlands Hotel

Summer School office on Main Street opposite Highlands Hotel.
Booking may also be made at 074-9551103.

The Director and Committee of the MacGill Summer School gratefully acknowledge the generous assistance of:
Donegal County Council
RTE
Dr. Martin Naughton, Glen Dimplex
EU Commission Representation in Ireland

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Monday, July 16^th -Friday, July 20th        
10.00a.m.-12.00noon.
CHILDREN'S ART CLASS in SCOIL MHUIRE

Monday, 16^th and Tuesday, 17th
2.00 p.m.—4.00 p.m.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE in SCOIL MHUIRE  

Monday 16^th and Tuesday 17th  
All Day
EXHIBITION & SALE OF RARE AND ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS in HIGHLANDS HOTEL (Brendan Carroll)

EXHIBITIONS IN HIGHLANDS HOTEL AND SCOIL MHUIRE

EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY JOHNNY BOYLE

EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY DONEGAL ARTISTS

EXHIBITION OF SCULPTURE IN BOG OAK by LAURENCE HERRON

EXHIBITION “THE FLIGHT OF THE EARLS”
(Courtesy of Donegal Co. Council)

EXHIBITION “I WENT TO WAR” (Patrick MacGill in World War One)
(Courtesy of Donegal Co. Museum)

EXHIBITION OF ANTIQUARIAN MAPS OF DONEGAL, ULSTER AND IRELAND
(Courtesy of Mr. Gordon Colleary)

READINGS

Monday 4.00 p.m.        
JOHN THRONE PRESENTS HIS NOVEL “THE DONEGAL WOMAN”

Tuesday 4.00 p.m.
POET FRANCIS HARVEY READS FROM HIS WORK

Wednesday 4.00 p.m.
POET MATTHEW SWEENEY READS FROM HIS WORK MUSIC

Thursday 19^th 4.00 p.m. 
VINCENT AND JIMMY CAMPBELL Renowned Donegal Fiddlers

Friday, 20^th 4.00 p.m.
THE FOUR TENORS IN A CONCERT OF MUSIC AND SONG

INFORMATION:
All information available during the week of the MacGill Summer School & Arts Week at the Summer School office on Main Street opposite Highlands Hotel.

Tickets to all events available from Summer School office and by calling:

074-9551103 and 074-9551111.

Politics and Democracy in Ireland in the 21st Century

The relatively high turnout in the recent elections surprised many for there is a strong feeling around that the Irish people in common, let it be said, with our European neighbours are turned off politics and politicians. 

Younger voters, in particular, appear not to be interested in exercising their franchise at election time.  There is obviously much work needed in our schools and universities aimed at informing students about their duties and obligations in this area of national life which is of such critical importance to a strong and healthy democracy without which we, as a people, are seriously deficient.

There is also the need for our politicians themselves to persuade the electorate of all ages that voting is important and that it does matter.  Last year, at the MacGill Summer School, the Tanaiste, Mary Harney, spoke about cynical detachment in society when it comes to politics and appealed to people, including those in the media, not to succumb to it.  The fact is, though, that, if recent surveys are to be believed and people who call talk shows on radio are at all representative, politics and politicians are now held in dangerously low esteem.  A poll last year found that a majority of people were of the opinion that politicians were lazy, corrupt and inefficient.  This is obviously untrue and a serious slur on those politicians, the majority, who work hard to represent the interests of their constituents.

There is, however, much work to be done to adapt the political system to the Ireland of the 21st century for, as was also pointed out in Glenties last year by those who are part of and players in that system, it is seriously lacking in several respects.  It was, in fact, the strength and cogency of the views expressed at last year's MacGill that convinced me that it was time we gave over the whole week to the theme of politics and democracy on the island of Ireland.  It seems to me that our future well-being as a nation depends, to a large extent, on the health and vigour of our democratic system.  Hopefully MacGill can contribute to and indeed, not for the first time, spark off a very necessary debate.

Joe Mullholland

Director, MacGill Sumnmer School & Arts Week

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