‘Through A French Window’ - The 4th International Percy French Summer School 2012
Date: 10th – 12th July 2012
Location: Castlecooote House, Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon
The Percy French Summer School is an annual event that takes place in the second week in July, is set in the wonderful historic Georgian building of Castlecoote house in his native County Roscommon. We have an exciting and diverse programme of lectures, recitals, poems, monologues, music and paintings celebrating the life and times of the multi-talented William Percy French. The School features prominent speakers covering the historical and sociological context of his life and work.
Percy French’s multifaceted role in the Anglo-Irish cultural heritage can be shown to be both important and fascinating yet until now it has been somewhat neglected. The School seeks to illuminate the considerable social significance of French’s song writing, poetry, and paintings and their relevance to Ireland’s various ways of life today. The School has succeeded in attracting a wide range of significant authors, academics, politicians, and artists to lecture and perform.
The range of lectures and events in the programmes to date reflect the broad spectrum of interests of its directors. The School’s Honorary President is, President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.
Tuesday, 10th July 2012
10.00 am Introduction
Patsy McGarry, Irish Times
10.30 am Tea/Coffee
10.45 am Recital
The Army Band of the 4 Western Brigade
To include works by Percy French and Presidential Salute on the President’s arrival.
11.30 am The official opening of The Percy French Summer School 2012
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins
Keynote Address followed by Recital by Bill Golding - 'A very French affair'
Music, songs, and recitations from the maestro
2.00 pm Gardens open
Wednesday, 11th July 2012
9.50 am Lecture - Professor Richard St L. Broadberry - History through French windows
10.45 am Tea/Coffee
11.10 am Lecture - Professor P. J. Drudy - Regional Development Towards a New Vision
12.10 pm Lecture- Fr. Sean McDonagh SSC
Can we have our cake and eat it? Is sustainable economic growth possible on a finite planet?
1.45 pm Lunchtime concert
Brian Munn, Michael Banahan, Teresa O’Donnell (harp)
The French Parody - Music, songs, poems, monologues and recitations
2.00 pm Gardens open
Thursday, 12th July 2012
9.50 am Illustrated Talk - Yvonne Petit - Percy French, traditional painter in context
10.45 am Tea/Coffee
11.10 am Lecture - Dr. Ita Beausang - The Better Would the Music Be–Rhythm and melody in the songs of Percy French
12.10 pm Lecture
Professor Sean Freyne - And Tones that are Tender–religion and recovery over lost values
1.45 pm Lunchtime Recital - Mary O’Donnell & Teresa O’Donnell (harp)
Thomas Moore and Percy French
2.00 pm Gardens open
Friday, 13th July 2012
Arts Centre, Roscommon
8.00 pm Musical theatre
Percy French at Kilkee
A musical and theatrical show well known Percy French’s songs
Performance organised & presented by Roscommon County Library Services
SPECIAL RATE for all 2012 events, recitals, and concerts €99
www.percyfrench.ie E: info@percyfrench.ie T: +353 (0) 9066 63794