Clonfert Research Project Clonfert Research Project was initiated in 1997 to Clonfert 1111—2011 develop a greater understanding and awareness of Clonfert’s Medieval past and to advance the long-term A Celebratory Conference Marking conservation of this unique heritage. Nine Hundred Years as a Diocesan Centre This weekend conference celebrates aspects of that heritage by bringing together some of Irelands leading scholars in the fields of archaeology, history, medieval The Bishop’s Palace music, and conservation. Each contributor deals with a This building functioned as the episcopal seat of different topic, all of which help to illuminate the rich- the Protestant bishops of Clonfert since the late ness of this great ecclesiastical centre. 16th century until it was sold in the 1830s. It was destroyed beyond repair in an accidental fire in Clonfert founded by St the Navigator in the December 1954 while in the occupancy of Sir mid sixth century was provided with diocesan status at Oswald and Lady Mosley. Mosley founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1931. the Synod of Rath Breasail in 1111, exactly nine- hundred years ago this year. It has continued in that Conference Fee role up to the modern era. A small conference fee of €10 will be The initial damliac that was elevated to cathedral charged on Saturday to cover the costs of lunch, coffee etc. status at that time was a simple unadorned single- chamber structure. It forms the core of the present Conference Dinner building and can be clearly defined by the presence of Shannon Oaks Hotel, on antae at each corner. The damliac was first noted in Saturday Evening at 8.00 pm the annals when it was burned in 1045. Places are limited so please book at The current cathedral was modified and enlarged registration. Cost €30 per person. throughout its history to fit the needs of congregational use. While its crowning glory is its wonderfully carved Enquiries: Christy Cunniffe late twelfth-century Romanesque Doorway, the rich [email protected] array of carvings from the thirteenth and fifteenth 087 9697692 centuries are equally impressive. Clonfert Development Group Clonfert Research Project is currently developing a research website, which is accessible at www.clonfert.org ‘St Brendan preaches on the great whale’s back’ from They Built on Rock by Diana Leatham

This event is organised in conjunction with the Galway Field Monument Advisory Programme.

Friday 13th May 2.10 Professor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín NUIG Schola Hyberniae Venue: Cummian who was he, where was he and Annmarie Corcoran, Rachel Croash, Frances Marshall, Claire Ryan, Giovanna Feeley (director). what did he write? 7.30pm Welcome and Opening Prayer SCHOLA HYBERNIAE is a female ensemble specializing in plain- Rev. Alan Nevin Rector of Clonfert 2.50 Professor Raymond Gillespie NUIM chant and early polyphony. Each of the singers has studied Gregorian

The second Irish life of St Brendan Chant Performance to undergraduate or postgraduate level at the 7.40 Opening Address National University of Ireland, Maynooth and the Pontifical Univer- Cllr. Jimmy McClearn 3.30 Dr Bernadette Cunningham RIA sity, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. They are all professional musi- cians working in the fields of performance, research, education and Mayor of Roland Burke, Catholic and Protestant bishop arts management. Recitals of chant from Irish manuscripts have seen of Clonfert, 1534-1580 them perform at the monastic site of Glendalough as part of National 7.50 Official Launch Heritage Week, at the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin as part of Mr Conor Newman NUIG 4.00 Tea/Coffee its Medieval Music Series and at the bi-annual Roscrea Conference Chairperson of the Heritage Council celebrating Irish Saints and the Liturgy. They are regular performers at 4.15 Yvonne McDermott MA Castletown House in Celbridge where they have presented pro- grammes of Easter, Advent and Christmas music and at the Carrick- 8.00 Professor Peter Harbison GMIT Castlebar on-Shannon Water Music Festival. The group is also in great demand Freda Rountree Memorial Lecture Kinalehin, Kilboght and Kilcorban: Three late for liturgical celebrations and has sung at festive Eucharists, Carol St Brendan: His Pilgrimage and Sea medieval friaries in the intersection of the dio Services and Vespers Services in cathedrals and parish churches na- tionwide. Voyage cese of Clonfert and the lordship of Clanricard. To date 2011 has seen them perform ‘Six Songs of Encounter’ at Visitng the Divine, a symposium of the Irish Centre for Faith and Cul- Saturday 14th May 4.45 End of Session ture; a recital of Easter chant in the eclectic venue of the Back Loft Studios in Dublin’s city centre, and a world-premiere performance of Venue: Clonfert Community Centre Sunday 15th May a newly-transcribed medieval office for St Canice at the Black Abbey, Kilkenny City as part of this year’s Music in Kilkenny series. 10-00am Registration For more information on SCHOLA HYBERNIAE Venue: Clonfert Community Centre or to be informed of upcoming events, please contact us at [email protected] 10.30 Dr Christy Cunniffe 2.00 Fr Declan Kelly PP The physical evidence for twelfth- Diocesan Archivist: century Church Reform at Clonfert Clonfert Diocesan Photographic Survey 1941- 11.00 Tea/Coffee 1944 being the work of the late Dr Kevin Egan on behalf of Bishop John Duignan in photo- 11.20 Dermot Nolan BA BAI Eur Ing Ceng graphing Catholic life in the diocese at the time MIEI CHARTERED ENGINEER AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONSULTANT 2.35 Jim Higgins MA A discussion of the early-Christian to Post DR ANN BUCKLEY lectures at the Centre for Medieval and The Conservation Plan for Clonfert Renaissance Studies, Trinity College Dublin. She has research cathedral Medieval Funerary Monuments at Clonfert interests in medieval song, and in the history of music in medieval Ireland. Her many publications include a chapter in volume 1 of 11.45 Dr Tadhg O’Keeffe UCD 3.20 Christy Cunniffe A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and Early Ireland, ed. Dáibhí Ó Reflections on Clonfert Doorway Fieldtrip to the medieval cathedral centred Cróinín (Oxford University Press, 2005); and an edited volume of settlement at Clonfert essays, Hibernia Cantans (forthcoming with Brepols). She is Early 12.35 Walk across the road to see the Music Subject Editor for the Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland (UCD Clonfert Madonna Press, forthcoming). Currently engaged in a project to publish and Venue: Clonfert Cathedral record all of the medieval liturgical offices for Irish saints which This medieval polychrome Madonna is a survive with music notation, she has collaborated with the Scot- major focal point for Catholic pilgrimage 5.00 Dr Ann Buckley TCD tish early music ensemble, Canty, in CD recordings of the offices during the month of May Introduction to performance by for St Brigit (Sanctuary, 2005) and St Patrick (Divine Art, 2008), Schola Hyberniae of medieval chant in honour as also with Schola Hyberniae, Altramar, the Choir of Saint 1.00 Snack Lunch of Irish saints Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and Norwich Cathedral Choir.