The Summer school was set up to examine Irish history and literature from the eighteenth century onwards in an objective, professional and learned manner. The school has a broad appeal to those with an interest in how the last two centuries of Irish history, have shaped contemporary Ireland, north and south.

The Byrne/Perry Summer School is held on the last weekend of June from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, (this year 2012 from 22ndh June to 24th June 2012).

Gorey, Co. Wexford is the location of the Byrne Perry Summer School.

Welcoming message:

The focus of this year’s School is somewhat different to previous years. Instead of discussing a particular period, event or personality, we have selected a very broad theme with strong historical content. One of the great organisational strengths of the GAA and Soccer in Ireland is their locality; the whole structure is built on the base of a network of clubs in every community right around the country. I am not a sportsman and don’t claim to be knowledgeable about sport. What I do recognise is the skill, determination and discipline of players and the huge backup of support and commitment from officials, trainers, committee members and so on. President Robinson speaking about the strong voluntary tradition in Ireland spoke about ‘a black economy of caring and commitment’.

What I also recognise is that sport is one of the greatest creators of identity in any community, a source of pleasure and camaraderie, at the present an antidote to the worries and difficulties we face; an entre to local life for new residents and a force for bonding in any community. The sporting organisations are some of the great voluntary organisations in communities across the country building up a huge level of what Robert Putnam calls ‘social capital’.

At each Summer school we have always had a very rich mixture of participants from Ireland North and South; Great Britain and the U.S. This has led to a lively, fresh and enjoyable experience. We look forward to welcoming you to what will be another memorable weekend in Gorey at the end of June.

Fr. Walter Forde
Chairman.