‘Do Borders Matter?’ conference for Dundalk

THERE’S an impressive line-up of speakers for the ‘Do Borders Matter? The Role of Museums and Heritage in Crossing the Line’ conference taking place on Thursday in the County Museum, Dundalk.

Organised by the Local Authority Museum’s Network, the conference comprises four panel discussions, featuring acclaimed Irish and international speakers, will examine the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU on museums on the Irish border, and explore the potential of shared history and heritage to act as a catalyst for positive social change, community development and peace-building.

Speakers include Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, British literary journalist and editor, Alex Clarke, and lecturer and author Dr Peter Leary, Sinead McCartan Director of the Northern Ireland Museums Council, and President of the Transylva- nia Trust and former Minister of Culture of Romania, Csilla Hegedus.

There will also be contributions from author and film maker Dr Laurence McKeown, Louth Heritage Officer Brendan McSherry, artist Paul Woods, Trish Lambe, curator at Gallery of Photographer and musician Brendan Murphy.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Ireland’s 2018 Eurovision Song Contestant Ryan O’Shaughnessy. Carlingford based opera singers Gavin and Nicola Ring appear in a concert in aid of the Louth Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland on Friday in St Brigid’s Church, Dunleer.