Æ George Russell Society

🎭 Performance brought Æ’s world to life at this year’s Spring School. Audiences were invited into the literary and spiritual milieu of 19th-century Dublin, through two original works written by Dr Patrick O'Donnell.

Windswept Mind, a one-man play premiered at Aonach Mhach, with actor Jack Walsh exploring the mystic imagination of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.

The one-man play, Maimed Mystics: AEIOU, performed by actor Denis Conway, give voice to Æ himself in the Armagh County Museum.

These dramatic works offered engaging insights into the figures and ideas that shaped Æ’s mystical philosophy.

Despite the weather, the journey continued. As part of the Spring School programme, participants travelled to Navan Centre & Fort for ‘Into the Mystic’, an evening of poetry readings inspired by Æ’s work.

Though the elements kept the group on the bus, the spirit of the occasion remained undiminished, with readings by Jim Conway, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Michael McKernan and Brigid McGibbon. A reminder that Æ’s work continues to resonate wherever it is shared🙏✨

💫 The first evening the Æ George Russell Society Spring School brought together a wide range of voices reflecting on Æ’s enduring legacy, including contributions from scholars, artists, and performers.

Highlights included (in order of appearance in photos):

The launch of ‘The Sage: The Journal of Æ Studies’ - Dr Patrick O'Donnell (Chair of the Æ George Russell Society)

Reflections from invited speakers:

– Jonathan Hackett Art (Artist)

– Réamonn Ó Ciaráin (Chair of Aonach Mhacha and Treasurer of the Æ George Russell Society)

– Frank Ferguson (Chair of the The John Hewitt Society)

– Fergal O'Brien from Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP) Traditional Arts Partnership - South Armagh

– Torlach Denihan (Organiser of the Susan Mitchell Centenary Commemoration & Æ Society Membership Officer / Vice-Treasurer)

– Patrick Doyle, Æ Society Committee Member and Lecturer in Politics, University of Limerick

Dramatic performances bringing to life figures such as Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, by Jack Walsh (Actor), and Æ himself, by Denis Conway (Actor).

The Spring School opened on April 10th with a reception at Aonach Mhacha in Armagh, marking the birthday of Æ (George Russell) on the same day 159 years ago in 1867*.

Participants gathered to reconnect, meet new faces, and share in conversation as the programme began. The warmth of the reception set the tone for a weekend grounded in dialogue, creativity, and shared exploration in spirit of Æ…

*Birthday cake not pictued! 🎂

✨ The 2nd International Æ George Russell Society Spring School 2026 took place in Armagh on April 10–11 2026, bringing together scholars, artists and community to celebrate the life and legacy of Æ.✨

Across two days at Aonach Mhacha, Navan Fort and Armagh County Museum, the programme explored Æ’s myriad dimension —as poet, mystic, thinker, and visionary of co-operative life—through talks, performances, and shared cultural exchange.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Irish Foreign Ministry's Shared Island Civic Society Fund and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all those who contributed as speakers, performers, collaborators, organisers and attendees, for making such a rich and memorable Æ George Russell Society Spring School 2026.

We are especially grateful to our venue partners at Aonach Mhacha, Navan Centre & Fort and Armagh County Museum. Our thanks also to the Traditional Arts Partnership - South Armagh and Keur Gu Rutmo for their outstanding artistic collaboration.

Read more about the programme highlights and learn how to become a member at the link in our bio or at🔗https://www.aegeorgerussell.ie/index.php/2026/04/16/ae-society-spring-school-2026-coverage/

A great locally inspired project Traditional Arts Partnership - South Armagh

Check out this article from Newry.ie about the upcoming musical collaboration happening tomorrow at the AE George Russell Spring School: Afro-Irish AE Drumming Collaboration Across the Oceans: Senegal, Armagh & Minnesota

WHERE: Aonach Mhacha, Armagh City

WHEN: APRIL 11th 7.30pm-8.30pm

Fergal O’Brien and TAP (Traditional Arts Partnership, South Armagh) bodhrán players in collaboration with the Keur Gu Rutmo, (a Senegalese drumming group from Dakar, Senegal) present this world premiere via both pre-recorded video and live video link. Bohráns and Senegalese drumming will surround AE’s poem “Carrowmore” in both French and English. This unique artistic exchange demonstrates how poetry, rhythm, and shared creative vision can transcend geography, language, and tradition - building meaningful cultural bridges between Ireland, Senegal, and beyond.

South Armagh and Senegal musical collaboration premieres at AE Russell festival this weekend Traditional Arts Partnership A unique collaboration between musicians from South Armagh and Senegal will premiere at the second AE Society Spring School in Armagh this weekend. The mission of the AE society is to highlight the life and works of Lurgan born George 'AE' Russell and his multi...

We are delighted to see the AE George Russell Spring School spotlighted by Visit Armagh! https://visitarmagh.com

Come along from 7:00pm tonight at Aonach Mhacha for the opening of the 2nd International AE George Russell Spring School and for a special celebration for AE’s birthday! George Russell was born 159 years ago on this day in 1867.

The AE George Russell Society Spring School runs from April 10th-11th. See full programme of events here: https://issuu.com/aegeorgerussell/docs/ae_society_spring_school_2026_armagh_?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw

We so look forward to seeing you there!

Visit Armagh - Tourist information and events from across the borough VisitArmagh.com is Armagh’s official visitor site with events, things to do, tourist information tours and attractions. Plan your visit to Ireland's ecclesiastical capital.

🌟 YOU’RE INVITED🌟 Join us for the 2nd International Æ George Russell Society Spring School!

📅 10–11 April 2026
📍 Aonach Mhacha, Armagh
🎟️ Free event
📖 View the full programme here: https://issuu.com/aegeorgerussell/docs/ae_society_spring_school_2026_armagh_?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw

Supported by grants from the Shared Island Civic Society fund and from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the 2nd International Spring School celebrates Æ’s many facets and his myriad-minded contributions to Irish cultural and economic life in three primary locations: Aonach Mhacha, Navan Fort, and the Armagh County Museum.

✨ Programme highlights include:

- Keynote Speaker: “Æ and the Spirit of Cooperation: Rethinking the Irish Moral Economy” – Dr Patrick Doyle (University of Limerick)

- Launch of “The Sage: The Journal of Æ Studies”

- Celebration of Æ’s legacy by guest speakers including Frank Ferguson (Chair, John Hewitt Society)

- Premiere of two one-man plays depicting two different Dublin protestant students of mysticism and literature, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and Æ George Russell

- Discussion of a new translation of French journalist Simone Tery’s assessment of the work of Æ’s friend, James Stephens

- Discussion of Æ’s mystical classic “The Hero in Man”

- Performance of Afro-Irish Æ drumming collaboration

We look forward to seeing you to Armagh!

In the meantime, get inspired and enjoy recordings from the Æ George Russell Society education programme talks and salons here https://www.youtube.com/

The Æ George Russell Society Education Programme continues with an exciting event this March:


✨ Online presentation: “Æ’s Poetry”

🎙️Presented by: Michael McKernan of the AE George Russell Society of Lurgan and North Armagh and editor of The Poetry of George Russell (Æ): A Modern Selected Anthology

📅 Date: Monday, 9 March 2026

⏰ Time: 8pm (Irish time); 2pm U.S. (CST) time

💻 Free, one-hour online talk and discussion

👉 Everyone is welcome! No prior knowledge needed

Please email [email protected] to attend and receive the Zoom meeting link.

We look forward to you joining us!