THE INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL
2ND - 6TH JULY 2025
Self Portrait by George Russell (AE) © Armagh County Museum Collection (ARMCM.14.1954).
AE SOCIETY SUMMER SCHOOL 2025: AT A GLANCE ...
PART 1 - WEDNESDAY 2nd JULY (Series of Classes)
7pm - 7.30pm Welcome - Gary Murphy reading of Oliver St. John Gogarty’s radio memoir “The Angelic Anarchist”
7.30pm - 9pm ‘AE and the Irish Literary Renaissance: Overview’ (Patrick O’Donnell, Joan Navarre & Réamonn Ó Ciaráin)
THURSDAY 3rd JULY (Series of Classes ctd.)
10am - 11.00am ‘AE and the Ireland of his time’ (Patrick O’Donnell & Réamonn Ó Ciaráin)
11am - 11.30am Tea break
11.30am - 12.30pm AE and Salons (Joan Navarre)
12.30pm - 1.15pm Lunch
1.15pm 2pm - 4pm
Mount Jerome Cemetery Walking Tour, with visit to AE’s grave (Meet at Gael Linn at 1.15pm to get bus)
FRIDAY 4th JULY (Series of Classes ctd.)
10am - 11am AE and the Irish Language and Cultural Revival (Réamonn Ó Ciaráin)
11am - 11.30am Tea break
11.30am - 12.30pm AE’s Friendships and Influence (Patrick and Joan)
12.30pm - 1.30pm Lunch
1.30pm - 2.30pm AE’s Spiritual Autobiography: ‘A Candle of Vision’ (Réamonn Ó Ciaráin)
PART 2 - FRIDAY 4th JULY
7.30pm Official Launch. Welcome from Co-Directors. Address by Seamus O’Donohoe (former CEO of ICOS) Guest Speaker, Dr Patrick Doyle. Denis Conway portrays AE. Fireside chat with Arthur Russell
SATURDAY 5th JULY
11am - 12 noon AGM
1pm - 2pm Keynote by Joan Navarre
2.30pm - 3.30pm ‘Ella Young and the Path of Friendship with Nature’ (James North)
4pm - 5pm ‘George ‘AE’ Russell: The Hidden Playwright’ (Felix Morgan)
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn to Mount Jerome
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Plunkett House
United Arts Club
United Arts Club
United Arts Club
United Arts Club
AE SOCIETY SUMMER SCHOOL 2025:
AT A GLANCE ...
SATURDAY 5th JULY Ctd.
7pm - 9pm Dinner, ‘Fireside Chat’ and presentation of ‘Henry Summerfield Award in AE Studies’.
SUNDAY 6th JULY
11am - 1pm Golden Age Walking Tour (Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Patrick O’Donnell & Joan Navarre)
1pm - 2.15pm Pub lunch
2.30pm - 3.30pm ‘AE and France: French Perceptions of Writers of the Irish Literary Renaissance’ (Laura Ostertag and Patrick O’Donnell)
United Arts Club
Meeting at Plunkett House
Doheny & Nesbitt’s
Gael Linn
4pm - 5pm ‘AE and the Ireland of his time’ (Jim Conway) Gael Linn
5.30pm - 6.30pm Into the Dawn: Shining a light on the life and works of Violet Russell, née North (Felix Morgan & Sara West)
Gael Linn
WELCOME TO AE SOCIETY SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
A chairde, beatha agus sláinte. As part of the year-long AE90 commemorations we invite you to join us for the AE Society Summer School 2025. Part one consists of a series of classes on AE and the Irish Literary Renaissance. Part two is a free, all-welcome programme of events, taking place in three main locations, Gael Linn, Plunkett House, and the United Arts Club. The theme: ‘The Spiritual Genius of AE’.
Professor Henry Summerfield
The Summer School will host two guided walking tours, a range of talks, a dinner and the presentation of the new Henry Summerfield Award in AE Studies.
Dr. Patrick O’Donnell
Co-Directors, Patrick O’Donnell (Chair), Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Joan Navarre and Torlach Denihan.
OUR PATRONS
We are honoured to present our esteemed Patrons: AE’s Biographer, Professor Henry Summerfield, and former Irish Ambassador and Author, Daniel Mulhall.
Daniel Mulhall
WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY - FRIDAY 4TH JULY | GAEL LINN, 35 DAME ST, DUBLIN
In this course, you will discover the key aspects of AE’s biography and writings, his immersion in esotericism, his advocacy and central role in the Irish Cooperative movement, his support of the Irish language revival, his famous weekly “At Home” salon in Rathgar on Sundays, and his spiritual autobiography, ‘A Candle of Vision’. The course includes a field trip and walking tour to Mount Jerome Cemetery to visit the grave of AE.
WEDNESDAY 2nd JULY
WELCOME AND READING BY GARY MURPHY
VENUE: Gael Linn
7pm
Following a welcome from all three Instructors, actor, Gary Murphy will read Oliver St. John Gogarty’s radio memoir “The Angelic Anarchist” (1955).
The three Instructors are:
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin Email: reamonn@gael-linn.ie
Dr. Joan Navarre Email: navarrej@uwstout.edu
Dr. Patrick O’Donnell
Email: education@celticjunction.org
Registration administered through Aonach Mhacha. For more information, click here. Cost €40 (15 spaces only).
Gary Murphy is a professional actor who has worked extensively in theatre, film and TV over the past 30 years, in Ireland, the UK and America. He has also added his voice to many radio plays and documentaries for both RTE and the BBC. He is a regular contributor to RTE radio’s Book on ONE
Class Instructors, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Joan Navarre and Patrick O’Donnell
Gary Murphy
OVERVIEW: AE AND THE IRISH LITERARY RENAISSANCE
VENUE: Gael Linn 7.30pm - 9.30pm
All three instructors will provide an overview of the theme:
A. AE’s Biography and Importance (Patrick O’Donnell).
B. AE’s Spiritual Genius (Réamonn Ó Ciaráin).
C. Esotericism and Salon Culture (Joan Navarre).
THURSDAY 3rd JULY
LECTURE: AE AND SALONS
VENUE: Gael Linn
11.30am - 12.30pm
With Joan Navarre. Followed by lunch 12.30pm - 1.15pm
WEDNESDAY 2nd JULY
LECTURE: AE AND THE IRELAND OF HIS TIME
VENUE: Gael Linn 10am -11am
Patrick O’Donnell & Réamonn Ó Ciaráin
Followed by break for tea 11am - 11.30am
WALKING TOUR: MOUNT JEROME CEMETERY
MEETING POINT: Gael Linn 1.15pm (tour 2pm - 4pm)
Meet back at Gael Linn and then bus over to Mount Jerome for a Walking Tour conducted by all three instructors, culminating in a visit to AE’s grave.
Gael Linn on Dame Street, Dublin
AE’s grave in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin
17 Rathgar Avenue, Dublin
FRIDAY 4th JULY
LECTURE: AE AND THE IRISH
LANGUAGE
AND CULTURAL REVIVAL
VENUE: Gael Linn
10am -11am
With Réamonn Ó Ciaráin
Followed by break for tea 11- 11.30am
LECTURE: AE’S SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY: ‘A CANDLE OF VISION’
VENUE: Gael Linn
1.30pm -2.30pm
With Réamonn Ó Ciaráin
LECTURE: AE’S FRIENDSHIPS AND INFLUENCE
VENUE: Gael Linn
11.30am -12.30pm
With Patrick O’Donnell & Joan Navarre
Followed by lunch break 12.30pm - 1.30pm
PartnershiPs
Oideas Gael: In 2025, Oideas Gael hosts a brand-new bilingual Summer School that will explore the rich and wonderful variety of representations of Donegal across the arts through the 20th century. This week-long course will examine highlights from Peadar O’Donnell’s classic novel of Donegal island life, Islanders (1928); view the mystical art and selections from the poetry of AE (George
Russell) from 1904-1934; and discuss specific scenes from three of Brian Friel’s history-infused plays set in Donegal. Course Directors are Patrick O’Donnell and Réamonn Ó Ciaráin and more information can be accessed here: http://www.oideas-gael.com/en/ imagining-donegal/
The Abbey Theatre
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin
PART 2 - AE SOCIETY SUMMER SCHOOL
FRIDAY 4TH JULY - SUNDAY 6TH JULY
FRIDAY 4th JULY
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
VENUE: Plunkett House, 84 Merrion Sq. 7.30pm (*Advance booking essential, email williekearney55@gmail.com)
Welcome and short speeches by four Co-Directors: Réamonn, Joan, Torlach and Patrick, along with Seamus O’Donohoe (former CEO of ICOS). A message of support from President Michael D. Higgins will then be read. Dr Patrick Doyle (University of Limerick) will speak on the theme of ‘AE and the Co-operative Commonwealth: The Politics of Practical Utopianism’. This will be followed by actor, Denis Conway’s portrayal of AE, and ‘The Russells of Meath and Lurgan’ with
KEYNOTE: FROM FARM FIELDS TO THE WHITE HOUSE: AE, HENRY WALLACE, & THE QUEST FOR COOPERATIVE CIVILIZATIONS
VENUE: United Arts Club 1pm - 2pm
Denis Conway (left) has worked in all the major theatres in Ireland, and can currently be seen in the Netflix series, ‘Bodkin’. He has numerous television and film roles under his belt. Denis was awarded the Irish Times Best Actor award on two occasions. He was also nominated for the Best Supporting Actor, and for the IFTA Best Actor Award.
Arthur Russell. Live music by Kenny Qua and Fergal O’Brien,Traditional Arts Partnership.
SATURDAY 5th JULY
AGM
VENUE: United Arts Club 11am - 12 noon
Henry Wallace
Professor Joan Navarre, University of Wisconsin (left), will deliver the
address.
Left: Seamus O’Donohoe, the former CEO of ICOS Right: Dr. Patrick Doyle, University of Limerick
United Arts Club, 3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2
Keynote
SATURDAY 5th JULY
ELLA YOUNG & THE PATH OF FRIENDSHIP WITH NATURE
VENUE: United Arts Club 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Talk by publisher and author, James North
DINNER, ‘FIRESIDE CHAT’ AND AWARD CEREMONY
VENUE: United Arts Club 7pm - 9pm (€60 per person)
Dinner followed by a prerecorded ‘Fireside Chat’ with AE’s biographer, Professor Henry Summerfield and Professor Joan Navarre, followed by the presentation of the ‘Henry Summerfield Award in AE Studies’.
MEMBERSHIP
We are asking existing members and potential members to pay their 2025 membership fees (if not done already). We call on all existing members to renew their membership at the reasonable cost of €20 for 1 year or €100 for 5 years which can be done by making a credit transfer. Please consider demonstrating your support for and confidence in the future of the AE George Russell Society by taking a five year membership for €100.
FELIX MORGAN: GEORGE ‘AE’ RUSSELL: THE HIDDEN PLAYWRIGHT
VENUE: United Arts Club 4pm - 5pm
Advance booking is essential, please email williekearney55@gmail.com
Account Name AE George Russell Society
Account Number 23459682
IBAN: IE14 BOFI 9014 9023 4596 82
Swift/BIC Code: BOFIIE2D
OAPs & Students pay €10
Please write membership and your name in the narrative for credit transfer. This is essential otherwise we have no way of knowing who the payment is from.
James North (left) and Ella Young (right)
Felix Morgan
The Dining Room at the United Arts Club, and Professor Henry Summerfield (inset)
GOLDEN AGE WALKING TOUR
MEETING POINT: Plunkett House 11am - 1pm
Led by Réamonn and Patrick and Joan. Meeting in front of Plunkett House, and touring Merrion Square, ending with a ten minute silent meditation in St. Stephen’s Green. To book, please email williekearney55@gmail.com
TALK: AE AND FRANCE: FRENCH PERCEPTIONS OF WRITERS OF THE IRISH LITERARY RENAISSANCE
VENUE: Gael Linn 2.30pm - 3.30pm
SUNDAY 6th JULY
PUB LUNCH AT DOHENY & NESBITT’S
VENUE: Doheny & Nesbitt’s 1pm - 2.15pm
For more information on booking, please email williekearney55@gmail.com
With Laura Ostertag, Researcher and Writer on Franco-Irish links and Patrick O’Donnell, Chair of the AE Society.
TALK: AE AND THE IRELAND OF HIS TIME
VENUE: Gael Linn 4pm - 5pm
By Jim Conway, Chair of the Lurgan AE Russell Society.
Golden Age Walking Tour begins at Plunkett House
Doheny & Nesbitt’s
Jim Conway
SUNDAY 6th JULY
PANEL DISCUSSION: INTO THE DAWN: SHINING A LIGHT ON THE LIFE AND WORKS OF VIOLET RUSSELL (NÉE NORTH)
VENUE: Gael Linn
5.30pm - 6.30pm
With Sara West and Felix Morgan
Message on behalf of President Michael d. higgins
President Higgins offers his warmest greetings to all those gathered for the 2025 Æ George Russell Summer School. This year’s gathering holds a particular significance as we mark the 90th anniversary of the passing of George William Russell, or Æ as he was known, a man of extraordinary talents as a writer, poet, painter and Irish nationalist, whose contributions to Irish society, not only to artistic and philosophical inquiry but also to the practical betterment of his fellow citizens, remain profoundly relevant today. George Russell stood at the forefront of the cooperative movement, advocating for a system rooted in solidarity, fairness and shared prosperity, understanding that true progress is not measured by the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, but by the capacity of a society to empower all of its members, ensuring that none are left behind. How fitting, then, that as we gather to reflect on Æ’s enduring legacy, 2025 has also been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives. In this spirit, President Higgins welcomes the engagement of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) in this year’s Summer School, bringing into focus the enduring impact of Æ’s work on modern cooperative initiatives.
President Higgins extends his best wishes to all those involved in the 2025 Æ George Russell Summer School.
AE’S GRAVE
In honour of the great man and in recognition of his huge contribution to Irish society on many levels: art, literature, economics, social reform and spiritualism – the Society has ensured that AE’s grave (and that of his wife Violet North) in Mount Jerome Cemetery has been renovated. Thanks to all involved and in particular to Arthur Russell.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Membership Officer:Torlach Denihan email: torlachd@gmail.com
PRO: Réamonn Ó Ciaráin email: reamonn@gael-linn.ie
Treasurer: Willie Kearney email: williekearney55@gmail.com
Visit our website: https://www.aegeorgerussell.ie/
Follow us on social media:
FUNDING
The AE Society gratefully acknowledges the receipt of significant support from the Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Fund which allows us to produce events on both sides of the border in 2025 as part of AE90 – on the 90th anniversary of his passing.
Committee members pictured with Daniel Mulhall at the United Arts Club