Enthusiasts and experts from Ireland and America are set to take part in a two day gathering dedicated to AE George Russell’s memory in Dublin on July 13th and 14th. See the full programme here.
Some of the events will take place in the United Arts Club in Upper Fitzwilliam Street, which the writer, artist and philosopher, helped to found in 1907. These include; the society’s AGM, a panel discussion and a banquet event. Attendees will also have a rare opportunity to visit Plunkett House on Merrion Square, home to the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society with whom AE, who was also an activist for social economic justice, had a long connection. TJ Flanagan, CEO of ICOS, will greet and address guests at Plunkett House on AE and the Co-Operative Movement. Irish economic historian Cormac Ó Gráda will contribute also during this visit. On Sunday a literary Golden Age Walking Tour will visit locations connected with the great man who was very much involved in theosophy and mysticism.
Walkers will be guided by Dublin-born Professor Patrick O’Donnell of Saint Paul, Minnesota, ably assisted by Gael Linn’s CEO, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin. A bust of Russell stands in Merrion Square in Dublin and, weather permitting, AE readings can be expected at such essential stops along the newly curated AE George Russell trail. A supporter of the reinvigoration of the Irish language AE attended the renowned Conradh na Gaeilge Oireachtas in Galway in 1913 and was photographed along with many other iconic figures such as Pearse, Hyde, de Valera, Markievicz, Pádraic Ó Conaire etc. It is fitting therefore that on Sunday Gael Linn, a national Irish language and cultural organisation founded in 1953 opens its Dame Street teaching rooms to host interactive workshops on AE’s art and poetry which will take place after a literary lunch nearby.
Born in Lurgan in Co Armagh in 1867, AE was a giant of Irish public life and highly regarded and respected internationally. He spent most of his life in Dublin. Few know how incredibly talented and influential AE was but his 21 Century’s afficionados are doing their best now to spread the word even though it was Russell’s own wish to remain humble and modest about his achievements shunning the limelight.
Organisers expect much interest in the two day celebration and especially for the Saturday evening United Arts Club meal with distinguished guest speaker, Daniel Mulhall. Availability, however, is limited and will be on a first come first served basis. Mulhall has served in important ambassadorial posts in Berlin, London and Washington. He is an authority on Irish literature with a special interest in WB Yeats and AE and has just completed a year in New York teaching at Glucksman Ireland House at NYU, a distinguished seat of learning.
AE and Esotericism on Saturday in the United Arts Club will feature panellists James North, Joan Navarre and Jenny Butler with Patrick O’Donnell to speak and chair the discussion. James North is the co-founder of Holythorn Press. He is currently co-authoring “A History of Irish Magic” which will be published in 2024. Joan Navarre is Professor of English and Film Studies at the University of Wisconsin and co-founder of the Oscar Wilde Society of America. Dr Jenny Butler is a faculty member of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences at University College, Cork. She is Director of Graduate Studies and teaches on contemporary religions in Ireland, Western esotericism and new and emergent religious traditions since 2002. Dr. Patrick O’Donnell is Professor of English at Normandale Community College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. He is also Director of Education at Celtic Junction Arts Center and an Irish Studies writer, editor, literary historian, and scholar who edits and writes for the quarterly online publication, Celtic Junction Arts Review. He is dedicated to resurfacing the international importance of AE for audiences outside Ireland in cooperation with the AE Russell groups in Ireland. Patrick is Co-Chair of the 2023 AE Russell festival.
On Sunday in Gael Linn, Dame Street, the first panel will discuss ‘AE and his Friendships’ with Patrick O’Donnell speaking about James Stephens and Réamonn Ó Ciaráin on Standish O’Grady. Linda Rosewood who emigrated in her fifties from California to Ireland and was active in the Women’s Spirituality movement of the 1980s will speak on Ella Young. This discussion will be chaired by Marianne McGee, the society’s chairperson. The second panel deals with ‘Analysing AE’s Poetry and Art’ with Jim Conway and Michael McKernan both of whom are founding members of the Lurgan AE festival and both AE Russell devotees and scholars. Armagh artist Jonathan Hackett will discuss AE’s influence on his art. This panel will be chaired by Brigid McGibbon, the society’s secretary.