The Annual Summer School located in Aughrim, Ballinasloe close to the Williamite / Jacobite battle site (1691) and will be held on 7^th July 2007.  The theme for this year is "Aughrim, History and Memory." The Aughrim Summer School is sponsored by the Christian Training Institute (CTI) which was established in 1999 to facilitate healing and reconciliation in international contexts.

The plenary sessions will be chaired by Dr. Hugh Weir. Weir Publishing Group, Whitegate, Co. Clare.Dr. Weir has published many books including Brian Boru, Ireland-A Thousand Kings, O Brien. He is also a member of the East Clare Heritage Society.

The first speaker Dr Pádraig Lenihan will speak on ‘How battles were fought.  Dr. Lenihan (Department of History, University of Limerick):` has a keen interest in military history and is an expert on 17th century battlefield sites having published books and numerous articles on the topic.

Afterwards, Mr Oliver C Gibson FRHS. B.ED. Will speak on ‘Europe in Aughrim 1691-Aughrim in Europe 2007'.

After a short break, the school will move to the Interpretative Centre where Ben Maile will speak on ‘The Battle of Aughrim'. Ben Maile built his reputation during the 60's and 70's and is particularly known for his military paintings. His work is collected around the world and features in the collections of the Royal family, Prime Ministers, a US President and a Sultan.

The last speaker before lunch is Natasha Ferguson. Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, University of Glasgow, who will speak on ‘Fighting a losing battle? Issues in the management of battlefields in the Republic of Ireland.'

After lunch Mervyn Story M.L.A. will speak on ‘Aughrim in Protestant Memory'.  Mr. Story is a Northern Ireland politician and a Democratic Unionist Party MLA for North Antrim. He is a member of Somme Association, Free Presbyterian Church and was elected to Ballymoney council in 2001 and again in 2005. He is a member of the Ballymoney Local Strategy Partnership and Regional Partership for Northern Ireland. He was elected in 2007 to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Next Dr Éamon O Cíardha University of Ulster (Coleraine) will speak on ‘Aughrim in Irish Literature and Memory'. Dr O Cíardha is a Lecturer in Irish/English Literary & Historical Studies School of Languages and Literature.

The last speaker Professor John Childs. University of Leeds will speak on ‘Preserving Battle Sites: The Experience of English Heritage'. John Childs is Professor of Military History and Director of the Centre for Military History the author of numerous books on the military history of Great Britain and Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. He is Chairman of the Battlefields Panel of English Heritage; a trustee of the Royal Armouries; an associate editor of the New Dictionary of National Biography; and an occasional consultant to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

The day concludes with a ‘Speakers Forum'- an open exchange on the summer school's theme namely; ‘Aughrim, History and Memory' chaired by. Robert Dunlop.

Afterwards a guided tour of the Battle Site form Caltra Fort Viewing Point led by. Trevor Sullivan will bring the evening to a close.

For more detailed information the programme of events is available here for printing.

This Summer School is organised by Trevor Sullivan and Robert Dunlop of the Christian Training Institute (CTI). Bishop John Kirby Chairs the CTI Council of Reference and Mr. John Flynn FRSCI Chairs the board. Further details on this years Summer School are available from Julie at the Aughrim Interpretative Centre Telephone: +353 (0)90 9673939.email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A group photo of the participants of last year's Aughrum Summer School