On Tuesday 8th March, Georóid Ryan, delivered his Academy presentation entitled: ‘Famine:Bengal & Ireland Compared‘. It’s clear that Georóid’s research for his Academy was extensive, detailing the origins and impacts of two tragic world events and exploring those aspects that are mirrored across both.
To provide some background on The Clongowes Academy for those that are unfamiliar: The Academy was set up by Fr Hilary Lawton, Prefect of Studies, back in the 1950s as a modern-day version of Plato’s Academy from Ancient Greece. It follows a strictly academic model where each member must present a scholarly paper of some 40 minutes to his peers, who then pose questions about his research. Each paper is a culmination of the members’ exhaustive research into and analysis of their chosen topic. The Academy gives its members a chance to become experienced in the research process, public speaking and fielding questions from their audience.
Fr Michael Sheil SJ is the Academy’s Moderator and is a former member of the Academy, having delivered a paper on Norman Castles during his Poetry year. Each session is followed by questions, refreshments and the opportunity for lively for discussion on the paper just delivered.
Georóid’s paper is definitely worth reading. Click here to read his full paper.
Well done Georóid on an excellently researched and superbly delivered Academy.
