A Summer School with a Difference
Full day event, with discussions, interviews, comedian and live music!
Abbey Hotel, Galway Road, Roscommon Town, F42 F992
Sunday, 2nd August 2026
11am – 11pm
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Join us for a discussion about where Ireland is and where Ireland is going
Forty years ago this summer, the great Irish writer Desmond Fennell travelled across Connacht. His reflections about the province were to be expressed in his subsequent book, ‘A Connacht Journey,’ which asked questions about where Connacht and Ireland were going.
On August 2nd, ‘A Connacht Gathering’ will be taking place in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon town. This will be an Irish Summer School with a difference, featuring speeches, interviews and interactive discussion panels on the key questions facing Ireland: political, cultural, social and economic.
We will be bringing together top-speakers like Dr. Eoin Lenihan, Niall Boylan, Stella O’Malley, Larissa Nolan, Cormac Lucey, Paddy Cullivan, Deputy Ken O’Flynn, Niamh Uí Bhriain, Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne, David Quinn and many more besides. Just as importantly, ‘A Connacht Gathering’ will be an opportunity to form new friendships and to renew old ones, including during an evening of live (and lively) entertainment.
We want you to be a part of the most exciting gathering in recent times.
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Venue
Abbey Hotel, Galway Road, Roscommon Town, F42 F992
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Get your Tickets
Tickets are on sale now on EventBrite
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Sessions and Discussions Panels
Throughout the Summer School event, attendees will be treated to a wide variety of contributions, including a live recording of ‘The Niall Boylan Podcast’ and a discussion about Dr. Eoin Lenihan’s ‘Vandalising Ireland’ bestseller hosted by Gript’s Niamh Uí Bhriain.
A number of interactive discussion panels will also take place during the weekend, on topics such as:
- Why is Irish politics stuck?
- The Irish History Wars
- ‘The Best is Yet to Come,’ What does the future look like?
- Desmond Fennell’s ‘Connacht Journey’
A full agenda, timetable and speaker details will be added in the coming days and weeks
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Possible Accommodation
Abbey Hotel, Galway Road, Roscommon Town, F42 F992
Hannons Hotel, Athlone Road, Acres, Co. Roscommon
Jacksons Accommodation, Market Square, Roscommon
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Tatlers Guesthouse, Roscommon Town
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Ross House B&B, Convent Road, Roscommon Town
Coachman’s Inn, Roscommon Town
Kilronan Castle Self-Catering, Boyle, Co. Roscommon