Northern Ireland

Lyra McKee's memory and legacy to be raised at McGill Summer School

Murdered writer, Lyra McKee's memory will be addressed by former Irish News columnist, Susan McKay.
Murdered writer, Lyra McKee's memory will be addressed by former Irish News columnist, Susan McKay. Murdered writer, Lyra McKee's memory will be addressed by former Irish News columnist, Susan McKay.

THE murder of Lyra McKee is among the issues to be addressed at this year’s Patrick McGill Summer School in Co Donegal.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Sinn Féin vice president, Michelle O’Neill are among a number of commentators scheduled to attend the Glenties-based annual school which opens on July 21.

Established in memory of journalist and author, Patrick McGill (1889-1963), the annual summer school attracts leading politicians, writers and commentators. Among the high-profile speakers lined up for this year’s school are Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.

Other speakers include Belfast SDLP MLA Claire Hanna, Irish language campaigner Linda Ervine and former Irish News columnist Susan McKay.

The murder of Lyra McKee in Derry in April this year will be addressed by journalist and author Susan McKay. The 29-year-old writer died after she was shot and fatally wounded by an IRA gunman during a riot in the Creggan.

Ms McKay will address her murder in “Red Hands of Hope and History – sexism, sectarianism and women fighting back”.

Irish News columnist, Denis Bradley will be joined by SDLP MLA Ms Hanna and Derry-based writer, Paul Gosling as well as Confederation of British Industry chairman, David Gavaghan in a discussion on the future of north-south relations.

Northern Ireland will also feature in a discussion on “a new and agreed Ireland”. Moderated by RTE journalist, Tommie Gorman, the discussion will include DUP MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as well as Sinn Féin’s, Michelle O’Neill and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.

The school will close on July 26 with a public interview with Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

For further information log on to: www.macgillsummerschool.com/