News

Civil Rights Summer School 23-24th August

Wednesday 16 July 2008

MCCLUSKEY CIVIL RIGHTS SUMMER SCHOOL 23-24 AUGUST 2008

Forty years ago, in 1968, a series of events took place which changed the face of Northern Ireland irrevocably. Inspired by the courage of Civil Rights leaders in the United States, and by their example of peaceful non-violent protest, Civil Rights protesters began to take to the streets of Northern Ireland. Their objective was to bring an end to injustice in the system of public authority housing provision, injustice in public and private employment practices, injustice in voting and representational rights, and the arbitrary and oppressive powers available to the state to suppress dissent.

Such was the importance of these events, and what they led to, that it is appropriate and even necessary, 40 years later, to commemorate them in a sober and reflective way, to seek to learn from what happened, to consider the significance of the Civil Rights Movement for our society today and the continuing resonance of the issues which it addressed, and the ideals which underpinned it.

You are cordially invited to the inaugural McCluskey Civil Rights Summer School, in honour of Con and Patricia McCluskey, which will be held on the weekend of 23-24 August 2008 in Carlingford, Co Louth. The theme of the weekend will be“40 years on – The Civil Rights Challenges in Ireland Today -  Tackling Poverty, Sectarianism, Racism and Inequality"

The speakers include former President Mary Robinson, Bernadette McAliskey, Brid Rodgers.

I have attached the agenda and speakers confirmed to date.

If you need any further information please contact me on 07802 279939 or e-mail: civilrights1968@yahoo.co.uk

If you wish to book accommodation check www.carlingford.ie or ring Frances Taylor the Cooley Peninsula Tourism Officer,00 35342 937 3033 or e-mail info@carlingford.ie

Details of further events can be found at the link below

http://www.nicivilrights.org/programme-of-events/