Along with a number of well known and eminent academics and broadcasters, MÓLA Director, Seán O’Laoire was one of the featured guests speakers at this year’s Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, the theme of which was titled ‘Changed Utterly? Ireland 1967–2007.
Seán’s lecture focused on the ways in which we have chosen to build on and live in the land of Ireland, planning and the built legacy of the past 40 years. ahead, The opening lecture, In time of Change: Ireland 1967 – 2007, was given by historian, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh of NUIG, it set the tone to address the key changes and the challenges ahead.
Eibhir Mulqueen of The Irish Times of Aug 23rd reporting on The Merriman Summer School, writes that Seán O’Laoire.:
“...addressing the school on the subject of settlement patterns, questioned what the legacy of the past 40 years would be if present planning and development tends continued. He said that change required a radical rethinking of the way planning, time, the environment and society were thought of. He noted that although pre-famine Ireland had at least twice the population of today, it had relatively left a small physical imprint”
Seán was quoted as saying:
“We have fostered low density and mono class settlement patterns, proposed decentralisation policies that contradict spatial policies, while having extraordinary dependence on imported energy and dangerously unambitious plans for alternative sources.”
This was the 40th Summer School since the first one was held in Ennis in 1968. Since then the topics for discussion have covered a wide range of aspects of life and culture in Ireland. This year’s programme of events included poetry, music lectures and discussions and ran from Sunday, 19th to 25th August . The Director of the festival was Doireann Ní Bhriain, well known broadcaster and arts consultant. Other speakers included: Irish Times journalist and commentator, Fintan O’Toole; Historian and broadcaster, Diarmuid Ferriter.and writer Nuala O’Faolain.
Related Link:
Sean’s lecture from Summer School 2007will feature as a Podcast from the Merriman website’s multimedia page.