Fermoy conference looks to the past

THE cultural origins of modern Ireland will be explored during a fascinating conference taking place in Fermoy over the forthcoming bank-holiday weekend.

Now in its third year, the Fermoy Heritage Conference offers historians and those with a keen interest in the past a welcome opportunity to learn more about the characters and events that shaped our social and cultural fabric.

This year’s conference, entitled ‘Arts, Culture and Society 1650-1750 – The Origins of Modern Ireland’, will incorporate lectures by some of the country’s eminent scholars and historians on topics including music, poetry, literature, industry and sport.

The conference will be launched at 6.30pm on Friday at the local AIB branch with an exhibition of church silverware from the Fermoy area and a talk by noted silver expert John R Rowan.

Over the course of the weekend the community centre will host a series of lectures, the first of which will be delivered on Friday night by Fermoy native Prof Patrick Crotty (University of Aberdeen) on the subject of encounter between English and Gaelic poetry.

The conference will draw to a close on Sunday with a field trip to Doneraile encompassing guided tours of Doneraile Court and other local architectural gems followed by refreshments at the Town House Café.

Full details of the conference programme, including how to register and booking fees are available online at www. avondhu.org.