November 2016
CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
If you get the newsletter and you are a Cork Branch member, or any Branch member in the vicinity for that matter, please do attend our lectures. Attendances have been excellent for the past year, but many who come are following a particular speaker (and we are delighted to see you) but to keep a Branch going, members need to be active. Several Branches over the years have become dormant and those which remain, do so because of the hard work of a few individuals on the various committees. Faces, likes ideas, need to circulate and input needs to be continuous. It’s only one Monday a month in our case – that’s not too much to ask! The annual Classical Association of Ireland Summer School will be held in 2017 in Cork from August 18 to 20, so don’t say you have not been warned! Put the date in your diary, book the holidays, and come to Cork for what will be a great series of talks. Alas, we cannot guarantee any amphitheatres but there is plenty of civilised entertainment waiting for your delectation. Season’s Greetings to all and every best wish for 2017. Jennifer O’Donoghue
CAI DUBLIN The Autumn session began with a committee meeting in the home of Dominique Geary on Friday, September 23. At this meeting the membership of a new committee was discussed, as was the series of Autumn meetings. Those present also sampled delicious home cooking! There followed a Latin reading on Wednesday, October 19, in which Alan Tuffery discussed Ovid’s Heroides VII. On Tuesday, November 1, the Branch AGM was held. This resulted in the following committee being approved: President: Isabella Bolger Vice-president: Patrick Sammon Secretary: Dominique Geary Treasurer: Liam Bairéad Other committee members: Pat Waldron, Andrew Smith, Brian O’Connell, Joan Wright, Alexander Thein, and Deirdre Doyle. A statement of accounts was distributed and approved. Both the past and future Presidents made closing statements.
There followed an illuminating address by Professor Andrew Smith on ‘Ancient Thrace and the Borders of Civilisation’. Here he described a visit to Bulgaria by members of the Classical Association. The lecture concentrated on Roman remains and influence in the area. On Tuesday, November 15, Dr Amanda Kelly from the UCD School of Archaeology gave us a fascinating lecture on ‘Extra–urban villae in Crete: rustic rituals or strategically placed administrative hubs?’. The following day, there occurred a Latin reading group meeting. Notable future meetings include Tuesday, December 5, when Michael Ann Bevivino from the UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy will give a lecture entitled ‘Apollo in 3D? From plaster casts to digital models’. In addition, the Latin reading group will meet on Thursday, December 8; as well as extracts from Cicero’s De Republica and De Legibus, the Mediaeval Latin lyrics of the ‘Carmina Burana’ will be explored. Altogether an interesting Autumn! Brian O’Connell
CAI LIMERICK We were delighted to welcome Prof. George Huxley on October 20. Effervescent as ever, he began the programme with a very interesting lecture, ‘Stesichorus as an Epic Poet’. He was followed on November 9 by Ms Paula Keane, a member of the Branch, who treated us to an intriguing talk entitled ‘An Introduction to Dogs in Ancient Greece and Rome’. Our next speaker, on November 30, was Dr Catherine Ware, from UCC. She spoke on ‘Spectacular Justice: Rufinus in the Arena’. The programme of Autumn Term lectures will conclude on December 7, with a talk from our honorary Chairman, Mr Patrick Ryan, on ‘Christianity and Classical Culture in the 4th Century A.D.’. The Latin and Greek Adult Language classes will resume on Monday, January 9, 2017, under the tutelage of the aforementioned Patrick Ryan. Ms Paula Keane has volunteered to represent the Branch on the CAI Central Council from January 2017. Tom Seaver Branch Secretary 9