The MacGill Summer School, in association with University of Notre Dame, is Ireland's international forum for thought leaders to discuss the critical issues facing the country, Europe, and our world.
The MacGill Summer School was founded by Dr. Joe Mulholland over forty years ago in the small town of Glenties in County Donegal and has grown from very modest beginnings to being one of the most important fora in Ireland for the analysis of topics of national and international interest.
It has consistently been a source of innovative and fresh thinking on a range of social, economic, and political ideas. Every July it brings together government ministers, parliamentarians, heads of industry, trade union leaders, economists, sociologists, church leaders and a broad range of public representatives from the North and South of Ireland, and beyond.
In 2025 the event will take place at The Highlands Hotel on July 17th-19th and is in association with University of Notre Dame.
Schedule Highlights 2024
On The Brink
11.00 Opening of MacGill School 2024
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director MacGill Summer School 2024
- Prof. Colin Barr, Professor of Modern Irish History; Director, Clingen Family Center for the Study of Modern Ireland at the University of Notre Dame
- Dr. Joe Mulholland, Founding Director & President of MacGill Summer School
- Poetry from Patrick MacGill
11.15 State of the World 2024: On the Brink
- Brigid Laffan (Host), Chancellor of University of Limerick
- Mark Little, Media Entrepreneur
- Prof. Ciaran Martin CB, University of Oxford & Founding Chief Executive of UK National Cyber Security Centre at GCHQ
12.30 Interval
14.00 How Will Ireland Spend its Billions?
- Dr. Emma Howard (Host), Economist and Lecturer at the Technological University Dublin, and Chair of the Irish Society for Women in Economics (ISWE)
- Seamus Coffey, Economics Lecturer at University College Cork & Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, 2016-2020
- Caroline Mehigan, Head of the EU and International Strategy & Co-ordination Unit Central Bank of Ireland
- Dr. Enda Hargaden, Assistant Professor/Lecturer at the University College Dublin School of Economics
15.30 Break
16.00 Northern Ireland: Past, Present & Future
- Lynette Fay (Host), Broadcaster BBC Radio Ulster
- Noel Doran, Former Editor of Irish News
17.00 The Art of Negotiation – Lessons from COP28
- Prof. Hannah Daly (Host), Professor in Sustainable Energy at University College Cork
- Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport & Green Party
18.00 BREAK
20.00 Have we Lost the Run of Ourselves?
- Sarah Carey, Journalist
- Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Fine Gael & Vice-President of the EPP Group European Parliament
- Prof. Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin & Author of ‘Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our Worlds’
- Dr. Gary Murphy, Dublin City University
- Seamus Coffey, Economics Lecturer at University College Cork & Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, 2016-2020
21.30 CLOSE
* Programme is subject to change
On The Brink
09.15Opening of Day 2
09.20 Disease X: The Next Public Health Crisis
- Prof. Tony Holohan, Director of Centre One Health UCD & Former Irish Chief Medical Officer
- In conversation with
- Sarah Carey , Journalist
10.15 Election Integrity in an Era of AI
- Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, School of Computer Science & IT at University College Cork
- Dr Theresa Reidy, Senior Lecturer, University College Cork
- Art O’Leary, Chief Executive, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission
- Dr. Susan Leavy, Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Communication at University College Dublin
11.30 Break
12.00 Intelligence Capabilities for a World on the Brink
- Prof. Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin & Azure Forum Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- Brigadier Phil McKee, former Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
12.45 Break
14.00 In Conversation with An Taoiseach
- Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Host), University Provost at Ulster University
- Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, Fine Gael
15.00 Extremism, New Threats & Intelligence: Is Ireland Ready?
- Caitríona Heinl, Executive Director Azure Forum
- Brigadier Phil McKee, former Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
- Prof. Ciaran Martin, University of Oxford
- Prof. Maura Conway, Paddy Moriarty Professor of Government and International Studies at DCU
- Micheal O’Sullivan, Former Assistant Garda Commissioner – National Crime & Security Intelligence Service
16.30 Break
17.00 How Much Does Ireland Need Immigration?
- Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times
- Dr. James Carr, University of Limerick
- Prof. Roja Fazaeli, Established Professor in Law and Islamic Studies University of Galway
- Jess Majekodunmi, Design Historian & Innovation Researcher
- Minister James Lawless, TD Minister of State for Transport, Environment & Climate Action & Fianna Fáil
18.30 Break
20.00 What if Trump wins?
- John O’Brennan, Maynooth University
- Prof. Robert Schmuhl, University of Notre Dame
- Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of University of Limerick
- Prof. Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin & Azure Forum Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- Finn McRedmond, New Statesman
21.30 CLOSE
* Programme is subject to change
On The Brink
09.15 Welcome to Day 3
09.20 Will Populism & Polarisation Become the New Normal?
- Shona Murray (Host), Euronews
- Paraic O’Brien, Foreign Affairs Correspondent Channel 4
- John O’Brennan, Maynooth University
- Jude Webber, Financial Times
10.30 BREAK
11.00 The Future of Media and Public Service Broadcasting
- Hugh Linehan, Irish Times Writer and Duty Editor
- Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Former Chair of RTÉ & Former Chair of TG4
- Prof. Brian MacCraith, Chair of Future of Media Commission (2020 – 2022) & Former President of Dublin City University
12.00 In Conversation With….
- Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Host), University Provost at Ulster University
- Deputy Pearse Doherty TD, Spokesperson on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Sinn Féin
13.00 BREAK
14.00 Elections 2024: Ireland
- Jude Webber (Host), Financial Times
- Mary Coughlan, Former Tánaiste & Chair of Donegal GAA
- Prof. Gary Murphy, Dublin City University
- Mandy Johnston, Managing Director Blue Yard Consultancy & Host of Newstalk’s “Taking Stock”
15.30 BREAK
16.00 Alternative Futures: The neuroscience of nation building
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director of MacGill Summer School
- Prof. Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin & Author of ‘Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our Worlds’
17.00 BREAK
20.00 Elections 2024: USA
- Shona Murray (Host), Euronews
- Prof. Robert Schmuhl, University of Notre Dame
- Larry Donnelly, Lecturer at School of Law University of Galway
- Carole Coleman, Journalist at RTÉ
21.30 Close of MacGill Summer School 2024
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director MacGill Summer School 2024
- Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of University of Limerick
* Programme is subject to change
- Thursday, July 18th
-
On The Brink
11.00 Opening of MacGill School 2024
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director MacGill Summer School 2024
- Prof. Colin Barr, Professor of Modern Irish History; Director, Clingen Family Center for the Study of Modern Ireland at the University of Notre Dame
- Dr. Joe Mulholland, Founding Director & President of MacGill Summer School
- Poetry from Patrick MacGill
11.15 State of the World 2024: On the Brink
- Brigid Laffan (Host), Chancellor of University of Limerick
- Mark Little, Media Entrepreneur
- Prof. Ciaran Martin CB, University of Oxford & Founding Chief Executive of UK National Cyber Security Centre at GCHQ
12.30 Interval
14.00 How Will Ireland Spend its Billions?
- Dr. Emma Howard (Host), Economist and Lecturer at the Technological University Dublin, and Chair of the Irish Society for Women in Economics (ISWE)
- Seamus Coffey, Economics Lecturer at University College Cork & Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, 2016-2020
- Caroline Mehigan, Head of the EU and International Strategy & Co-ordination Unit Central Bank of Ireland
- Dr. Enda Hargaden, Assistant Professor/Lecturer at the University College Dublin School of Economics
15.30 Break
16.00 Northern Ireland: Past, Present & Future
- Lynette Fay (Host), Broadcaster BBC Radio Ulster
- Noel Doran, Former Editor of Irish News
17.00 The Art of Negotiation – Lessons from COP28
- Prof. Hannah Daly (Host), Professor in Sustainable Energy at University College Cork
- Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport & Green Party
18.00 BREAK
20.00 Have we Lost the Run of Ourselves?
- Sarah Carey, Journalist
- Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Fine Gael & Vice-President of the EPP Group European Parliament
- Prof. Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin & Author of ‘Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our Worlds’
- Dr. Gary Murphy, Dublin City University
- Seamus Coffey, Economics Lecturer at University College Cork & Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, 2016-2020
21.30 CLOSE
* Programme is subject to change
- Friday, July 19th
-
On The Brink
09.15Opening of Day 2
09.20 Disease X: The Next Public Health Crisis
- Prof. Tony Holohan, Director of Centre One Health UCD & Former Irish Chief Medical Officer
- In conversation with
- Sarah Carey , Journalist
10.15 Election Integrity in an Era of AI
- Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, School of Computer Science & IT at University College Cork
- Dr Theresa Reidy, Senior Lecturer, University College Cork
- Art O’Leary, Chief Executive, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission
- Dr. Susan Leavy, Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Communication at University College Dublin
11.30 Break
12.00 Intelligence Capabilities for a World on the Brink
- Prof. Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin & Azure Forum Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- Brigadier Phil McKee, former Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
12.45 Break
14.00 In Conversation with An Taoiseach
- Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Host), University Provost at Ulster University
- Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, Fine Gael
15.00 Extremism, New Threats & Intelligence: Is Ireland Ready?
- Caitríona Heinl, Executive Director Azure Forum
- Brigadier Phil McKee, former Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
- Prof. Ciaran Martin, University of Oxford
- Prof. Maura Conway, Paddy Moriarty Professor of Government and International Studies at DCU
- Micheal O’Sullivan, Former Assistant Garda Commissioner – National Crime & Security Intelligence Service
16.30 Break
17.00 How Much Does Ireland Need Immigration?
- Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times
- Dr. James Carr, University of Limerick
- Prof. Roja Fazaeli, Established Professor in Law and Islamic Studies University of Galway
- Jess Majekodunmi, Design Historian & Innovation Researcher
- Minister James Lawless, TD Minister of State for Transport, Environment & Climate Action & Fianna Fáil
18.30 Break
20.00 What if Trump wins?
- John O’Brennan, Maynooth University
- Prof. Robert Schmuhl, University of Notre Dame
- Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of University of Limerick
- Prof. Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin & Azure Forum Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- Finn McRedmond, New Statesman
21.30 CLOSE
* Programme is subject to change
- Saturday, July 20th
-
On The Brink
09.15 Welcome to Day 3
09.20 Will Populism & Polarisation Become the New Normal?
- Shona Murray (Host), Euronews
- Paraic O’Brien, Foreign Affairs Correspondent Channel 4
- John O’Brennan, Maynooth University
- Jude Webber, Financial Times
10.30 BREAK
11.00 The Future of Media and Public Service Broadcasting
- Hugh Linehan, Irish Times Writer and Duty Editor
- Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Former Chair of RTÉ & Former Chair of TG4
- Prof. Brian MacCraith, Chair of Future of Media Commission (2020 – 2022) & Former President of Dublin City University
12.00 In Conversation With….
- Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Host), University Provost at Ulster University
- Deputy Pearse Doherty TD, Spokesperson on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Sinn Féin
13.00 BREAK
14.00 Elections 2024: Ireland
- Jude Webber (Host), Financial Times
- Mary Coughlan, Former Tánaiste & Chair of Donegal GAA
- Prof. Gary Murphy, Dublin City University
- Mandy Johnston, Managing Director Blue Yard Consultancy & Host of Newstalk’s “Taking Stock”
15.30 BREAK
16.00 Alternative Futures: The neuroscience of nation building
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director of MacGill Summer School
- Prof. Shane O’Mara, Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin & Author of ‘Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our Worlds’
17.00 BREAK
20.00 Elections 2024: USA
- Shona Murray (Host), Euronews
- Prof. Robert Schmuhl, University of Notre Dame
- Larry Donnelly, Lecturer at School of Law University of Galway
- Carole Coleman, Journalist at RTÉ
21.30 Close of MacGill Summer School 2024
- Vincent Mc Carthy (Host), Director MacGill Summer School 2024
- Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of University of Limerick
* Programme is subject to change
