The Clonmacnoise and Irish Monasteries Network are looking for interested parties to help organise or support a Saints and Scholars Festival to be held at Clonmacnoise in October 2013. The group will be holding an information meeting on Thursday November 29 at the Old Fort, Shannonbridge.
The aim of the group is to reconnect with Celtic monasteries throughout Europe with events such as workshops, lectures, field trips, twinning, and social events. They feel there is a lost connection with the likes of Iona, Lindisfarne, Bobbio, St Gall and up to 100 European monastic sites, which were all founded by Irish monks, and that it would be worthwhile to reconnect with them in our shared heritage.
The group hopes to regenerate nterest in the legacy of Clonmacnoise and Irish monasteries and to build a network of connections in other countries, as well as to research and engage with monastic sites in Europe which have a cultural, ecclesiastical, or historical connection with Irish monasteries.
They also hope to connect with universities and build on Clonmacnoises status as Europe’s first university, and to build a series of events at Clonmacnoise which will bring visitors, including seminars and lectures, summer school, field trips, guest speakers, and academic studies.
Anyone who is interested is asked to attend the informaiton meeting next Thursday at the Old Fort, Shannonbridge at 8pm. For further information see www.facebook.com/visitclonmacnoise
