Taoiseach Simon Harris to attend MacGill summer school in Glenties

Taoiseach Simon Harris has been confirmed as one of the speakers at this year’s MacGill summer School in Glenties, organisers have revealed.

It comes in the wake of the announcement that his coalition partner and Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan declared that he was stepping down as leader of the Green party and will not be contesting the next General Election. 

Ironically, Minister Ryan had already been lined up for this year’s summer school in Glenties and there are no indications that he has done a u-turn on this decision, following Tuesday's news of his stepping down.

Another high profile speaker Prof. Tony Holohan, Director Centre One Health, UCD and former Irish Chief Medical Officer, best known for his prominent role during the Covid-19 pandemic, has also been added to the list of speakers as has former MEP, Frances Fitzgerald. 

Speaking on Eamon Ryan’s resignation, the Taoiseach remarked:

“Eamon is a politician of enormous standing and I want to pay tribute to him and his family for everything they have given Irish politics through his leadership of the Greens. I respect and understand his decision.

“Eamon is a genuine, passionate and inherently decent person who brings those same qualities to politics.”

The annual MacGill Summer School, in association with University of Notre Dame, will once again take place in Glenties from July 18-20 at its traditional and popular stomping ground of the Highlands Hotel.

Each year it attracts an eclectic mix of national and international politicians, academics, ambassadors, journalists, free thinkers and a host of leading lights garnered from across a broad spectrum of life including some of our country’s greatest poets and performing artists.

It has been a veritable who's who of the movers and shakers on this island for over three decades.