Medieval History
Dr Denis Casey writes:
?What makes a place out of a locality?? was one of the many thought-provoking questions posed by Dr Tim Robinson, 2010?11 Parnell Fellow in Irish Studies, in his masterful 2011 Parnell Lecture, delivered at Magdalene College, Cambridge, yesterday.
Named for Charles Stewart Parnell, the ?Great Adulterer? and Magdalene College dropout still beloved of the Irish people, the Parnell Fellowship and Annual Lecture have provided forums for some of the most talented minds in Irish studies. This year the polymath Tim Robinson ? author, mathematician, geologist, poet and cartographer (among other things) ? skillfully expounded upon potential threats to the landscapes and seascapes of the Aran islands, Burren and Connemara; places on which he has become the greatest commentator and authority since J. M. Synge. His discussion of present day (and potential) adverse human impact upon these areas, both upon the physical environment and our perceptions of place, was set within an impressively large timeline stretching over geological and environmental eons. Questions from the audience, however, indicated that not everyone was in complete agreement with his assessment of modern human impact vis-à-vis that of previous generations and indeed natural forces of much longer duration. I came away feeling that while Robinson has not squared this circle, his answer to the above question, ?it is the attention which we bring it?, is deserving of deeper reflection somewhere in the ?long dark night of the intellect? upon which he has previously written.
- ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ("cuach")
Dr Denis Casey writes: In Acallam na Senórach, the dialogue between St Patrick and Caílte (an aged survivor of Finn Mac Cumail?s war band) on the places and lore of Ireland, Finn enquired of his companions what music was best. Their answers conjured...
- Kathleen Hughes Memorial Lecture
On Monday 9th May, Prof. Thomas Charles-Edwards, Jesus Professor of Celtic, University of Oxford, will deliver the 2011 Kathleen Hughes Memorial Lecture on: 'St Patrick and the Landscape of Early Christian Ireland'Lives of St Patrick, from the...
- Seachtain Na Gaeilge Report
Dr Margo Griffin-Wilson writes: The two-week celebration of Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic opened on 9 March with a lecture by Dr. Tim Robinson, Parnell Fellow at Magdelene College for 2011, author of several...
- Seachtain Na Gaeilge, So Far ...
Dr Denis Casey writes: The famous Irish poet Antaine Ó Raiftearaí may have complained that he was ag seinm cheoil do phócaí falamh (?playing music for empty pockets?) but anyone who attended last night?s Irish poetry and music event at the Department...
- Dates For Your Diary
Dr Elizabeth Boyle writes: The new academic year began on Tuesday 5th October, and we were delighted to welcome many new faces (as well as many familar ones) to ASNC, including twenty-five new first year undergraduates, a dozen new M.Phil. students, four...
Medieval History
?A Land without Shortcuts? ? 2011 Parnell Lecture in Irish Studies
Dr Denis Casey writes:
?What makes a place out of a locality?? was one of the many thought-provoking questions posed by Dr Tim Robinson, 2010?11 Parnell Fellow in Irish Studies, in his masterful 2011 Parnell Lecture, delivered at Magdalene College, Cambridge, yesterday.
Charles Stewart Parnell (image from www.nndb.com)
Named for Charles Stewart Parnell, the ?Great Adulterer? and Magdalene College dropout still beloved of the Irish people, the Parnell Fellowship and Annual Lecture have provided forums for some of the most talented minds in Irish studies. This year the polymath Tim Robinson ? author, mathematician, geologist, poet and cartographer (among other things) ? skillfully expounded upon potential threats to the landscapes and seascapes of the Aran islands, Burren and Connemara; places on which he has become the greatest commentator and authority since J. M. Synge. His discussion of present day (and potential) adverse human impact upon these areas, both upon the physical environment and our perceptions of place, was set within an impressively large timeline stretching over geological and environmental eons. Questions from the audience, however, indicated that not everyone was in complete agreement with his assessment of modern human impact vis-à-vis that of previous generations and indeed natural forces of much longer duration. I came away feeling that while Robinson has not squared this circle, his answer to the above question, ?it is the attention which we bring it?, is deserving of deeper reflection somewhere in the ?long dark night of the intellect? upon which he has previously written.
- ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ("cuach")
Dr Denis Casey writes: In Acallam na Senórach, the dialogue between St Patrick and Caílte (an aged survivor of Finn Mac Cumail?s war band) on the places and lore of Ireland, Finn enquired of his companions what music was best. Their answers conjured...
- Kathleen Hughes Memorial Lecture
On Monday 9th May, Prof. Thomas Charles-Edwards, Jesus Professor of Celtic, University of Oxford, will deliver the 2011 Kathleen Hughes Memorial Lecture on: 'St Patrick and the Landscape of Early Christian Ireland'Lives of St Patrick, from the...
- Seachtain Na Gaeilge Report
Dr Margo Griffin-Wilson writes: The two-week celebration of Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic opened on 9 March with a lecture by Dr. Tim Robinson, Parnell Fellow at Magdelene College for 2011, author of several...
- Seachtain Na Gaeilge, So Far ...
Dr Denis Casey writes: The famous Irish poet Antaine Ó Raiftearaí may have complained that he was ag seinm cheoil do phócaí falamh (?playing music for empty pockets?) but anyone who attended last night?s Irish poetry and music event at the Department...
- Dates For Your Diary
Dr Elizabeth Boyle writes: The new academic year began on Tuesday 5th October, and we were delighted to welcome many new faces (as well as many familar ones) to ASNC, including twenty-five new first year undergraduates, a dozen new M.Phil. students, four...