Kennedy Summer School 2026 will explore the past, present and future of hurling with leading GAA voices
Tom Dempsey will add a unique perspective to the conversations at Kennedy Summer School this year. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The passion, heritage and future of hurling will take centre stage at this year's Kennedy Summer School as some of the most respected voices in Gaelic games come together for a special discussion at St Michael's Theatre, New Ross on Thursday, August 27.
The main event this year is their 'Talking Hurling' seminar, which will explore the history, challenges and future of one of Ireland's oldest sporting traditions. Bringing together players, analysts and administrators to discuss the place hurling holds within the GAA and its continuing importance to Irish culture and identity.
The discussion will be chaired by GAA broadcaster and journalist Paul Collins, CEO and founder of Ballywire Media. He will lead a conversation featuring an exceptional panel of sporting figures, including William Maher, National Head of Hurling with the GAA, Michael Duignan, two-time All Ireland winner and RTÉ GAA analyst, Ursula Jacob, four-time camogie winner and four-time all-star recipient and Wexford hurling legend Tom Dempsey.
Thursday's opening evening will be absolutely jam-packed with exciting conversations, starting with an official opening ceremony led by Ireland's ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Bryne Nason.
Ambassador Bryne Nason will be joined by Professor Mary C. Murphy, Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College, for a special fireside conversation examining the political, cultural and economic ties between Ireland and the U.S.
The evening will also feature 'Voices of Irish Writers', a celebration of contemporary Irish storytelling featuring acclaimed writers Belinda McKeon, Martina Evans and Neil Tully, chaired by New Ross native and Notre Dame Professor Emerita, Bríona Nic Dhiarmada.
Chairperson of the Kennedy Summer School, Eileen Dunne, said the diverse opening night programme reflects the festival's commitment to bringing together conversations that celebrate Ireland's heritage while examining the issues shaping the future.
"The Kennedy Summer School has always been about bringing people together through ideas, culture and conversation, and the opening night perfectly captures that spirit, from diplomacy and literature to the traditions that connect communities across Ireland."
Running from Thursday, August 27, to Saturday, August 29, the 2026 programme brings together leading voices from journalism, politics, diplomacy, academia, sport and the arts to explore the issues shaping Ireland and the world.
This year's programme will include a 'Noel Whelan interview', featuring Pat Kenny in conversation with Sinéad McSweeney, a special evening exploring Bob Dylan and the Kennedy era, and major discussions on global competitiveness, the future of the transatlantic alliance, online safety, American politics and the centenary of Fianna Fáil.
