I was interviewed about the upcoming Merriman Summer School on RTE Radio 1’s arts show, Arena, on Wednesday 5 August. You an listen back here.

Linda Connolly is this year’s director of the Summer School and she has assembled a great programme on the theme of ‘Cumann agus Céileachas: Love and Marriage Revisited’ encompassing talks on literature, society, folklore, culture and a musical gala.

There are three free poetry readings as part of the Summer School in Glór theatre in Ennis, County Clare called Cúirt an Mheán Lae (12.15pm). I’m reading in English and Irish on Thursday the 13th August, Rita Ann Higgins is on Friday the 14th, and Doireann Ní Ghríofa is on Saturday the 15th.

The always entertaining Cónal Creedon will giving his take on the Summer School’s theme in a talk called ‘Love OR Marriage’ on Friday and Dónal Ryan will be interviewed by Doireann Ní Bhriain on Saturday. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing Máire Ní Annracháin and Pat Coughlan on Thursday morning.

The full programme is available here.

Twitter: @scoilsamhraidh