Aran writer Liam O’Flaherty the focus of new summer school

Aran Island writer Liam O’Flaherty’s film script career in Los Angeles and the US intelligence service’s relationship with his brother Tom will be explored at the first summer school dedicated to the two men on Inis Mór this month.

The revolutionary background of both brothers is the theme of the first Liam and Tom O’Flaherty Summer School on August 24th and 25th, which will involve walks, talks, the reissue of two books and a screening.

Speakers will include Brian Ó Conchubhair, associate professor of Irish language and literature and acting director of the Centre for the Study of Languages & Cultures at the University of Notre Dame, USA, and film-maker and independent councillor Seósamh Ó Cuaig.

Prof Ó Conchubhair's illustrated talk in English will explore Liam O'Flaherty's life and literary career from his birth in Gort na gCapall on Inis Mór to Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, where he adapted film scripts for Paramount Pictures.

He will analyse events in the author’s life, including his turbulent relationship with Irish nationalism, and his time as a British soldier in the first World War.

Ó Cuaig will also explore US intelligence scrutiny of Tom O'Flaherty's left-wing political activities in the US in a talk titled "Cumannach as Árainn – Thomas J O'Flaherty agus an FBI".Tom O'Flaherty was a founder of the American Communist Labour Party in 1919.