2010 Anthony Trollope International Summer School
On the last weekend of August Drumsna welcomed a host of visitors form Ireland the UK and the USA for the first annual Anthony Trollope Summer School. The Visitors included our good friends from the British and American Trollope society’s on what has now become their annual sojourn. The weekend commenced in our resource centre where the school was launched by the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Frank Dolan. Other speakers on the night were Howard Gregg from the UK Trollope Association and Colleen Guckian from the Drumsna Trollope Committee and the Master of Ceremonies for the night was Cllr Sinead Guckian. More Launch Night Photos
The next morning we had a number of very interesting workshops which stimulated lively debate all chaired under the watchful eye of Howard Gregg. Kicking off was Gerard McAtasney, who delivered a presentation on “landlords, famine and society in 1820′s Leitrim. Next up Dr Jennifer Kelly presented on ribbonmen and other subversive organisations in 1840′s Leitrim. Then we had Dr Yvonne Siddle who presented on Drumsna and Ireland’s influence on Trollope. After Lunch Trollope’s wonderful novel, The Macdermots of Ballycloran was dissected by Prisilla Hungerford.
More Workshop Photos
On Saturday afternoon we moved the short distance to the banks of the Shannon where the Leitrim sub aqua group were finishing their underwater swim from jamestown Incredibly the divers discovered a post box resting on the Shannon bed, containing an inkwell and a letter from one Anthony Trollope addressed to the people of Drumsna. More Sub Aqua Photos
Saturday night and the festivities adjourned to the Bush Hotel in Carrick for The Anthony Trollope Summer School Banquet. After a splendid meal the summer school participants were entertained by Journalist and Author, Mary Kenny’s talk on Trollope and the Post Office.
More Banquet Photos
Two more landmark events on Sunday the 29th, first the participants walked the Historic Trollope Trail. Visiting the ruins at Ballycloran and stopping at the old bridge, where the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Frank Dolan unveiled a plaque in Anthony Trollope’s honour. More Bridge Cermony Photos
Sunday Evening arrived and with it the premiere of the Movie Ballycloran. Leitrim’s mobile cinema arrived in the village for the evening and two screenings allowed for over 200 people to see the movie and also to witness the cast arrive on the red carpet, where they were interviewed by Helen Rutter and Donal Fox.
I hear that planning for next years event is already underway.