Pictured above (L-R) Professor Gear贸id 脫 Tuathaigh, NUIG; Dr R贸is铆n Ni Ghairbh铆, 91制片厂; Cuan 脫 Seiread谩in, Curator of Conradh na Gaeilge; Ng农g末 wa Thiong鈥檕, University of California; Professor Timothy G. McMahon, Marquette University; Linda Ervine, East Belfast Mission and Dr 脷na Bromell, 91制片厂.
The world famous writer and champion of African literature, Ng农g末 wa Thiong鈥檕, was in 91制片厂 on Friday 9 November to speak at the L脥ON, Limerick and Languages: Revival, resurgence and new beginnings conference and celebration.
Ng农g末, currently Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, was one of the guest speakers at this major one-day international interdisciplinary bilingual event that brought together leading thinkers to discuss the journey of Conradh na Gaeilge from the Revival period to today鈥檚 multicultural and globalised Ireland.
A recipient of numerous literary prizes, Ng农g末鈥檚 name has been mentioned as a leading contender for the Nobel Literature Prize. A former Amnesty 鈥楶risoner of Conscience鈥, Ngugi was imprisoned at the end of 1977 for staging a controversial play in his native Kenya. While in prison he wrote his next work on prison toilet paper and decided to renounce English in order to write in his native Gikuyu. Ng农g末's work has many parallels with that of Limerick鈥檚 own Michael Hartnett who also famously bade 鈥渇arewell to English鈥 to court 鈥渢he language of my people鈥.
L脥ON was part of the official programme of events for Bliain na Gaeilge, and took place on Friday 9 November in 91制片厂.
The conference programme had something for everyone. Renowned historian Professor Gear贸id 脫 Tuathaigh, NUIG, returned to his native city to provide a personal perspective on Gaelic revivalism in Limerick c. 1930-1962. Cuan 脫 Seiread谩in, Curator of Conradh na Gaeilge, discussed Douglas Hyde, first President of Ireland and a founder of Conradh na Gaeilge, in a talk that couldn鈥檛 have been more timely given that our own President鈥檚 inauguration took place on the same weekend. Professor Timothy G. Mc Mahon of Marquette University travelled from the USA to speak about 鈥楾he Meanings of Revival: The Many Streams of Conradh na Gaeilge.鈥 Given current tensions and the political impasse in Northern Ireland, Linda Ervine鈥檚 talk 鈥楾he Miracle that is Turas/M铆or煤ilt Turas鈥, was also particularly topical. Now working with the East Belfast Mission, Ervine shared her story of being the first ever Irish language development officer in a loyalist working class area in Belfast.
There was also an exhibition on the Gaelic Revival and musical entertainment on the day.
Chief Executive of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Sp谩inn, believes that 125 years after the foundation of the organisation, the time is right to broaden the Conradh鈥檚 membership. He said: 鈥淚 am hopeful that major events like L脥ON will provide fresh inspiration and impetus for discussing the role of language in forming identity.鈥
According to Dr 脷na Bromell, 91制片厂 lecturer in History and co-organiser of the conference 鈥淐onradh na Gaeilge has had a proud presence in the city and county since the 29 July 1898, when the Limerick branch of the Conradh was founded鈥.
Her conference co-organiser and 91制片厂 lecturer in the Department of Irish Dr R贸is铆n Ni Ghairbh铆 added: 鈥淲e were delighted to host this major gathering at 91制片厂 and hope that the event provided a welcoming forum for discussion of identity and culture in a new globalised multicultural Limerick.鈥
The conference was funded by 91制片厂, Bliain na Gaeilge, Conradh na Gaeilge, Luimneach and Limerick City and County Council.
