“There is a centre within us through which all the threads of the universe are drawn,” reflected AE, the Irish sage, poet, artist, editor, and thought leader who made extraordinary contributions to Ireland’s cultural life across four decades from 1890 to 1930 approximately.
The AE Society, as part of AE90, the year-long celebration of the life, legacy, and importance of George ‘AE’ Russell (1867-1935) is launching the inaugural international AE Summer School from July 2-6, 2025 in Dublin.
Organised around the theme of the spiritual genius of AE, it will consist of two parts. Part One is a class from Wednesday, July 2 to Friday, July 4 in Gael Linn on Dame street (see below for more details). (Note: there are only 15 places available in this course). The second part is an official Summer School from July 4-6 held at Plunkett House, the United Arts Club, and Gael Linn. More details to follow.
Part One: The course “AE and the Irish Literary Renaissance” (Wed, July 2 – Fri, July 4)
This course will describe and explore the central importance of George “AE” Russell (1867-1935) to the Irish Literary Renaissance (c.1890-1940). “Russell was, for four decades and more, a radical intellectual engaged with the cultural, economic, social and political changes that transformed twentieth-century Ireland,” stated Nicholas Allen (Dictionary of Irish Biography.). AE had an enormous impact as an artist, creative catalyst, and thought leader of international stature in the Ireland of his time. Famous for his luminous goodness, AE, the Irish practical mystic, poet, painter, dramatist, editor, social philosopher, and advocate for the Irish Cooperative movement was an extraordinary “myriad-minded” personality. Known for his prodigious energy, endless generosity, and infinite kindness, AE was both a literary and spiritual master. He deeply engaged in friendships and mentorships with a wide variety of creative personalities including: W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, Maud Gonne, James Joyce, George Moore, James Stephens, Oliver St. John Gogarty, Patrick Kavanagh, Pamela Travers, Susan Mitchell, and Frank O’Connor.
In this course, you will discover the key aspects of his biography and writings, his immersion in esotericism, his advocacy and central role in the Irish Cooperative movement, his support of the Irish language revival, his famous weekly “At Home” salon in Rathgar on Sundays, and his spiritual autobiography, A Candle of Vision. The course includes a field trip and walking tour to Mount Jerome graveyard to visit the grave of AE.
Three Instructors: Dr. Patrick O’Donnell Email: education@celticjunction.org, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin Email: reamonn@gael-linn.ie, Dr. Joan Navarre Email: navarrej@uwstout.edu
Course fee: €40. The course has a maximum enrolment limit of 15 places.
To register, please follow this link
(Registration administered through Aonach Mhacha)