Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will make his first public appearance in County Roscommon for many years when he delivers a keynote speech on the future of the island of Ireland in Castlecoote next Thursday (July 18th).
In a huge coup for the organisers, Ahern will guest at the 16th annual Percy French Festival, being held on the grounds of the beautiful Castlecoote House in County Roscommon.
The festival begins on Wednesday, July 17th and runs until Friday, July 19th (inclusive).
Mr Ahern, who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, and whose major role in the Northern Ireland peace process has been widely hailed, will be a guest speaker on Thursday, July 18th.
The former Taoiseach will discuss the prospects for a United Ireland in his address to the annual festival in Castlecoote. His perspective on this issue and how a ‘new Ireland’ might look will be eagerly awaited, and promises to be a highlight of this year’s festival.
This year’s festival follows the theme ‘Our Great Disconnect’, and will explore a variety of topics from different historical, social, political, and artistic perspectives.
The festival will feature a number of distinguished speakers, including Dr Brian Griffin, Dr Tony McCarthy, Dr Pauric Travers, Dr Kevin Kiely, Dr Pádraig Lenihan, Dr Michael Hardiman, Dr Eve Watson, James Bradshaw, Louise Lennon, Pearse O’Shiel, Nell Smyth, Caroline Kelly, Audrey Flynn, and Dr Margaret Daly Denton (who will be delivering the Sean Freyne Memorial Lecture).
The ticket office can be contacted on 090 666 3794 or via email at info@percyfrench.ie. Tickets can also be booked online at percyfrench.ie, where further details and the full schedule are also available.
