DLR Roger Casement Summer School

President Connolly, greeted on Arrival by O¦ürla Ryan, RCSS Committee

President Catherine Connolly plants a tree to commemorate her visit to the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School

President Catherine Connolly along with members of the RCSS Committee

Presentation of commemorative Book by Cathaoirleach, Dlr.Co.Co at the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School

President Catherine Connolly addressing the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School

Attendees of the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School listen to Presidents opening address

The Irish PEN "Freedom to Write" event has become a regular and much-loved fixture at the John Hewitt International Summer School over the years.

We're very excited for this year's event with International Human Rights Lawyer CAOILFHIONN GALLAGHER KC.

Caoilfhionn was Special Rapporteur on Child Protection in Ireland and has worked on many high-profile cases involving threats to, and punitive measures directed at, writers and journalists around the world, including Maria Ressa and Jimmy Lai.

Irish PEN events explore themes such as conflict, censorship, displacement, translation and the lived experiences of writers under repressive regimes. The focus is on the challenges to writers of living in contentious, restrictive circumstances, often under threat of imprisonment or losing their lives. The message ultimately is one of hope, courage and resilience, and the power of literature to preserve ideals of humanity.

Join us for an empowering and illuminating evening with this remarkable woman.