Drew University to Host Irish Parliamentarian

Mary Loud McDonald, deputy leader of Sinn Fein and member of the Irish Parliament in Dublin, will be providing the opening remarks at the “Revising the Rising” conference at Drew University later this month.

The conference will take place between March 20-21.

McDonald formerly served on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament. She will speak at the conference at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20.

According to Drew University, the conference will focus on the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and will include presentations on historical aspects of the era and the uprising that eventually led to Irish independence.

“We are so excited to welcome such an important guest as Mary Lou McDonald, a rising star in Ireland and a real friend to Drew,” Bill Rogers, assistant dean of the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University, said in a release.

In addition to McDonald’s speaking engagement, the two-day “Revising the Rising” conference will feature a presentation of scholarly papers, a plenary session on the roots of the rebellion, Irish poet and activist Theo Dorgan and a performance by Irish folk band, the Henry Girls, Drew University said.

Tickets to attend the entire two-day “Revising the Rising” conference cost $95. Single tickets for McDonald’s keynote address or Dorgan’s talk are $10 each, while tickets for the Henry Girls’ performance are $20.

For more information regarding the conference or to register, visit the Drew University website.