Join us for a lecture by Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, foremost expert on the legendary Irish hero Cúchulainn. He’ll be speaking on Cúchulainn as a source of inspiration.  Réamonn will be joining us from Dublin for the weekend.  This lecture is free to registrants of the DSG.

In this talk, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin discusses how the mythological figure of Cúchulainn is a potent symbol of bravery, loyalty, martial prowess, beauty, and wisdom. The spirit of Cúchulain has inspired revolutionaries, artists, sports men and women, and Irish leaders for at least a millennium. Réamonn will demonstrate how Cuchulainn still holds significance for many in the twenty-first century. Cúchulainn has been adopted by the Republican tradition of Ireland as a symbol of heroic self-sacrifice for his people and to the Loyalist people of the North, he is the heroic defender of Ulster. This talk will be delivered in a narrative style combining a retelling of lesser known Cúchulainn stories with learned and fresh insights. Dara Vallely’s paintings will form a background to this presentation and instill a new vitality and depth to these ancient stories.

The imagery is original, bold, vibrant, and even tribal.

Réamonn Ó Ciaráin has authored three books on Cúchulainn which were published by Gael Linn, as well articles in a variety of publications. He has toured the Midwest of the USA speaking about Cúchulainn, Ireland’s greatest mythological hero.

Réamonn was appointed to the role of CEO of Gael Linn on 2 June 2022. He began working with Gael Linn in 1993, was promoted to manager in 2003, and to Director of Education in 2020. Réamonn

Réamonn was born in Crossmaglen, and now lives in Milford, Co. Armagh. He took his primary degree in education with Celtic studies at St Mary’s University College, Belfast. Following this, he successfully completed a master’s degree in Irish Studies at Queen’s University Belfast and later a master’s degree in Cultural Management at the University of Ulster. He is the founding chairperson of Aonach Mhacha, the Irish language social enterprise behind the building of a state of the art Irish language cultural centre in Armagh City which opened in March 2020.

This event is part of Irish Arts Week 2024. This lecture is free to registrants of the Irish Language Weekend. The $15 fee is for the public. Admission will be available at the door.