Bernadette McAliskey named as one of a host of speakers for event on Arranmore

Bernadette McAliskey is one of a host of speakers taking part in Scoil Chois Claí on Arranmore in April.

McAliskey (née Devlin) is a prominent Irish civil rights leader, socialist republican activist, and former politician. She rose to international fame in 1969 when, at 21, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the British Parliament.

“Workshops, lectures and debates, in English and Irish, with ceol traidisiúnta, craic and for those that indulge, creamy pints of stout,” is how the event, which takes place on April 24-26 at Arranmore Community Centre, is billed.

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“The core focus of the school this year is climate breakdown, anti-imperialism, Palestine, the rise of fascism and alternatives to capitalism.

“Other speakers include David Cobb, Kali Akuno, Edget Petru, Sopo Japaridze, Mariela Kohon, Victor Figuera, Francisco Dominguez, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernández Cuban Ambassador, plus more to be announced."

Tickets are now live and can be purchased via Scoil Chois Claí 2026 on Eventbrite.

Scoil Chois Claí is the Irish for ‘Hedge Schools’, which were a network of informal, roadside schools that emerged, out of sight of crown authorities, beneath the sunny side of a hedge, following the collapse of the Gaelic world during the colonial period and ensuing Penal Laws when communities took education into their own hands.

The schools offered instruction through Irish in Maths, Philosophy, Latin and Greek. Robert Peel, the British Prime Minister said “I do not wish to see children in Ireland educated like the young peasants of Kerry who run about in rags with a Cicero or Virgil under their arms”

This year’s school is organised and part-funded by the Democracy Collaborative and Trademark Belfast.