The Australian School of Celtic Learning has a range of study days and seminars coming up in Sydney and Canberra during August.
SYDNEY
Saturday 4 August
Lughnasadh study day
In the week of the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh, we will look first at historical events involving the Celts at this time of year, then turn our attention to the ancient Celtic seasonal festivals, discussing how they were marked at various points in history. We discuss the traditions specific to Lughnasadh, which occurs at the beginning of Autumn in the northern hemisphere. We will conclude the day by sharing some music and tales specific to Lughnasadh.
Schedule
10.00-11.30 – 4 August in Celtic history
11.45-1.00 – marking the Celtic seasons
2.00-3.15 – Lughnasadh traditions old-new
3.30-5.00 – Lughnasadh music and tales
Venue
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Cost
AU$95 ($65 student/unwaged) – please register in advance
includes morning and afternoon teas and booklet
Download Lughnasadh study day registration form
Saturday 25 August
Holy Islands – Iona seminar
At the centre of Saint Columba’s federation of monasteries and churches, the island of Iona was a centre of learning. We will spend the morning with this beautiful island and its intriguing history. In particular, we will discuss the complicated history of the church in Saint Columba’s time, and investigate the many early medieval and later artefacts associated with Iona.
Schedule
10.00-11.30 – Saint Columba and Iona
11.45-1.00 – stone crosses and artefacts
Venue
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Cost
AU$50 ($35 student/unwaged) – please register in advance
includes morning tea and booklet
Download Holy Islands – Iona registration form
Saturday 25 August
Holy Islands – Lindisfarne seminar
Established by monks from Iona at the invitation of the king of Northumbria, the tidal island of Lindisfarne came to be of central importance for Christianity in the north of England. In this seminar, we will explore the background of Lindisfarne’s establishment and its role in the development of Christianity in England. Lindisfarne is the place of origin for many important early medieval manuscripts including the Lindisfarne Gospels, and we will look closely at these manuscripts and other artefacts from Lindisfarne and the surrounding areas.
Schedule
2.00-3.30 – history and place
3.45-5.00 – manuscripts and artefacts
Venue
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Cost
$50 ($35 student/unwaged) – please register in advance
includes afternoon tea and booklet
Download Holy Islands – Lindisfarne registration form
Holy Islands full day package
AU$95 ($65 student/unwaged)
Download Holy Islands registration form
CANBERRA
Sunday 12 August
Book of Kells Study Day
The Book of Kells is a beautiful, illuminated manuscript made around 750. In this day-long event, we will consider the context of the church in Ireland and Scotland, and the relationship of the Book of Kells to Saint Columba. We will spend time investigating the long traditions of Celtic art, and the materials, construction, decoration and content of the Book of Kells itself. Join us for a look at the manuscript, its background and its decoration. We will have many photographs of details from the manuscript and other objects.
Schedule
11.30-1.30 – Iona, Kells and Saint Columba
2.30-4.00 – the Book and its decoration
4.30-6.00 – artistic influences on the Book
Venue
Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street Weston
Cost
AU$95 ($65 student/unwaged) – please register in advance
includes lunch, afternoon tea and booklet
Sunday 2 September
Early Irish Law Study Day
The legal system of early Ireland is remarkable: it is the best-documented vernacular legal system in pre-modern Europe, and remained in use for over a millennium. Careful attention was given to proving not only guilt and innocence, but intentionality and culpability based on a combination of factors. A delicate balance of family and community responsibilities and entitlements compelled compliance, taking the place of a police force. Join us to explore some of the most interesting, unexpected and ingenious aspects of early Irish law, and to trace its fascinating development.
Schedule
11.30-1.30 – early Irish law and society
2.30-4.00 – intentionality, culpability and other provisions
4.30-6.00 – intrusions by the church
Venue
Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street Weston
Cost
AU$95 ($65 student/unwaged) – please register in advance
includes lunch, afternoon tea and booklet
For more coming events in Sydney, Download Lughnasadh Term Sydney Event Calendar/Brochure
