Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg
(The Irish Language Club of Luxembourg)
Presents
The Willibrord Lecture 2009
A Public Lecture in the English Language
Under the Patronage of His Excellency, Mr. Martin Burke,
Ambassador of Ireland:
“Towards Inclusion: Ulster Protestant Perspectives on Irish”
By Dr Ian Malcolm
Date: Thursday, February 12th 2009, 20.00
Venue: La Salle des Fêtes, European School
Tickets: €10
Further Information: ballinroe@yahoo.com
Dr Ian Malcolm is a native of Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. He is a fluent Irish speaker and comes from the ulster unionist & protestant tradition. He served as editor of the Antrim Guardian for several years before becoming a sub-editor with the Belfast News Letter. Returning to full-time education he graduated in 2003 with a First Class Honours PhD in Celtic Studies from Queen's University, Belfast. Dr Malcolm has engaged in pioneering research into the attitudes of young Protestants in Northern Ireland towards the Irish language. He is an accomplished journalist and broadcaster, writing a column in the daily Irish language newspaper Lá Nua and commentating on Northern Irish political affairs in the Irish language electronic and broadcast media both in Northern Ireland and the Republic. He contributes regularly to Raidió na Gaeltachta, R.T.É. television, TG4, B.B.C. Northern Ireland, U.T.V. and Radio Ulster. In 2005 Dr Ian Malcolm was appointed to the Governing Authority of R. T. É. (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), the state broadcaster in the Republic of Ireland.
The Willibrord lecture series was initiated by Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg in 2007 to celebrate the granting of official language status to the Irish language by the European Union on January 1st of that year. The lectures are held at the European School under the patronage of the Ambassador of Ireland. Former speakers include Professor Alan Titley of U.C.C. and Irish language poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. The lectures are sponsored by Cultúr Éireann / Culture Ireland.
The objectives of the lecture series are:
1) To promote a greater awareness of Ireland's indigenous Gaelic language culture in Luxembourg.
2) To foster enhanced cultural and historic understanding amongst the peoples of Ireland and Luxembourg.
Towards this end the committee of Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg agreed in 2008 to name the lecture series in honour of the Anglo Saxon missionary and patron saint of Luxembourg, St. Willibrord. St. Willibrord, who studied for 10 years in Ireland
( from 678 - 688 A. D. ), is both an historic embodiment of the ancient links binding Ireland and Luxembourg and a powerful symbol of the close cultural ties which unite all Europeans. Though not an Irishman, St. Willibrord is also, quite possibly, the first Irish language speaker to have set foot in Luxembourg upon his arrival here over one thousand years ago.
The lecture will be preceded by a performance of traditional Irish Music by the talented musicians of Comhaltas Luxembourg and will conclude with an informal reception at which members of the general public in attendance will have an opportunity to meet with Dr Malcolm and also to partake of a broad range of delicious wines and tasty food.
Tickets will be available at the door on the night or can be purchased in advance form the committee of Cumann Gaelach Lucsamburg or by contacting ballinroe@yahoo.com
Author: PhilTaylor
