''Borders, Boundaries and Divisions."

Press Releases General | Exhibition
Press Review Article

The 5th Mc Glinchey Summer School,with the theme of Borders, Boundaries and Divisions, will be held this year on the weekend of the 5th-7th July 2002.

Charles McGlinchey was born in Meentiagh Glen in the parish of Clonmany in 1861 and lived there until 1954. A weaver by trade, he spent almost all his long life in his native place.

Patrick Kavanagh, principal of Gaddyduff National School, Clonmany, who had spent his childhood as a neighbour of Mc Glinchey, realised the importance of what he had to say and chronicled his memoirs over many years.

Brian Friel subsequently edited the manuscript and it was published in book form as "The Last of the Name" and has recently been published in French as "Le Dernier du Nom".

From this backdrop the McGlinchey Summer School will explore the history and traditions of Inishowen and the north west. It is hoped that a greater awareness of our rich heritage will be created and will be passed on to a new generation. In this, our fifth Summer School, we explore the theme of Borders, Boundaries and Divisions.

Seamas Heaney, the Nobel Poet Laureate from Co. Derry, will deliver the opening talk, entitled 'Who owned that half a rood?' on Friday evening. Later that same evening, he will be joined by folk singer Tommy Sands from Co. Down, in an evening of poetry and music

The lecture programme on Saturday and Sunday will develop the theme of Borders, Boundaries and Divisions, especially in the North West during World War II.The Derry historian, Richard Doherty, author of many books on the subject, will talk on World War II in Derry and Inishowen. Eunan O'Halpin, Professor of History T.C.D. will discuss British Propaganda against Ireland during World War II.

Lough Swilly with its Forts at Dunree and Leenan played an important part in the naval battles fought in the Atlantic and this will be explored by Col. Brian O'Reilly, who is no stranger to Inishowen.

Other speakers will talk on smuggling, turf-cutting and social life in the North West during the Emergency. A full slate of evening entertainment is also planned - a Saturday night concert with local and visiting musicians and singers, a one man show on the Irish Navvy, performed by Ultan Cowley, author of the recently published 'The Irish in Britian'.

The Exhibition Centre ,which has been such a popular feature of the Summer School , will again house art by local artists, photographs, farming equipment, and other memorabilia from the 1940s.

The Field Trips this year will bring people on a visit to McGlinchey's home in Minaduff and a trip to the War Museum at Dunree and onwards to Leenan Fort.

---