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The MacGill Summer School
A truly political event this, and one of the oldest Summer Schools in Ireland - it is always popular and provocative and frequently makes the news as politicians take to the stage to make their feelings known on subjects which are both topical and not infrquently controversial. Sessions are always well attended by a vocal and interested audience - as many as 800 people have packed into events in previous years.
Having said that its themes are generally political, this year is somewhat different. 2008 will see a Donegal resident playwright Brian Friel at the heart of events, with a celebratory retrespctive of his work, "A Feast of Friel".
There will be stagings by Ouroboros Theatre Company of Making History and Translations and by the Manchester Library Theatre Company of Faith Healer. Philadelphia Here I Come will be staged by one of Ireland's leading amateur groups, the Silken Thomas Players and there will be dramatic readings of other Friel classics.
Nobel Prize winning poet Seamus Heaney will give a reading from his work in honour of Friel and there will be an exhibition of portraits of the writer as well as an exhibition of his papers including manuscripts and correspondence.Alongside the core events there are art exhibitions and workshops, readings, and musical events both official and unofficial. Its a friendly event and a gregarious one - expect to be up well into the night engaged in conversation and 'craic'.
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What else to do in Donegal?
For a look at some other activities and attractions that we recommend within reach of this event, including tour itineraries and articles of interest, see our North-West Area Guide.
