The fifth Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Autumn School will honour Rose, the mother of John F Kennedy, President of the United States of America and her three grandparents who left Bruff in 1850 after the famine.
We will explore the area they left, its culture and environment, diaspora and place in the world. We hope to have a lively debate and thoughtful exploration of Ireland – the diaspora – in culture, music, politics and sport.
It is also a celebration of rural Ireland, her towns and the wonderful environment in which we live.
The School promises engaging and inspiring events through a wide-ranging programme over three days about Ireland and her people around the world, with their unique and innate culture.
Friday 23rd October
- Formal opening of School by Mayor of Limerick John Moran | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 7.30pm. Welcome: Declan Hehir Director of the School. Opening remarks: Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State for Housing and Older People.
- Talk by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick on their book Bad Bridget - Crime, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 8pm | Also on panel: Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo. Moderator: Dr Catherine Healy, EPIC—the Irish Emigration Museum. Followed by Tim O’Connor.
- Social Club Clancy's
Saturday 24th October
- Fashion, Place, Belonging | Lough Gur Visitor Centre | 10.30am | Showcasing the story of fashion and design in the Mid-West and the region’s stellar reputation
- City of Limerick Pipe Band Performance | Lough Gur Lakefront | Parent & Children’s Reading/Storytelling session – trí Ghaeilge
- Marking 60 years after Donogh O’Malley’s historic decision to introduce free secondary education. Panel: Daragh O’Malley, Prof Áine Hyland and Prof Tom Collins. Moderator: David McCullagh | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 1.30pm
- Daithí Collopy performs excerpts from his show Young America and Old Ireland | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 1.30pm
- Interview with Peter McMahon of the Irish Defence Forces Cadets who performed the graveside drill at JFK’s funeral in 1963 | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 5pm
- Linda Ervine — how she spearheaded the first Irish language school in East Belfast | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 7.30pm
- Kennedys’ Human Rights Legacy - The Kennedy influence on human rights. Panel: Dr Barbara Perry, Liam Herrick, Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo. Moderator: Dr Dan Mulhall | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff | 8.30pm
- Social Club Clancy's | Featuring trad music led by members of Bruff Comhaltas and conversation trí Ghaeilge
Sunday 25th October
- Mass | Patrickswell Church, Lough Gur | 10am
- Fitzers Community Breakfast | Honey Fitz Theatre, Lough Gur | 11am
- America Today - US politics as congressional elections loom. Prof Scott Lucas, Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo, John Lahart TD, Prof Gary O’Brien. Moderator: Dr Dan Mulhall | 2pm
- Performance of play: Inspirations based on the work of local artists and directed by John Carew | 4pm
- Close of Autumn School, Speaker Declan Hehir | Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Bruff
- Social Club Clancy's
Events published on Limerick.ie are subject to change. Readers are advised to check with the organiser for further details.
