BATTERSBY'S BEST

WITH the array of summer schools on offer about something for anyone with an interest in Irish literature, history and or politics, although it is a shame the Free University's Samuel Beckett Summer School (1992) was a once off, as was its Sean O'Casey school (1991) and the absence of an annual Beckett seminar is a glaring omission.

Having attended many of the schools around the country, this reporter may by now have attained veteran status by default. For beauty of setting and high quality, wide ranging presentation and debate the residential John Hewitt School, in the glorious Glens of Antrim, quickly established itself as a fascinating literary, cultural, historical and political forum. If the Hewitt school has a fault, over the years, it is that it has tended to be too intensive, through an ambitious objective of reflecting all of Hewitt's diverse interests. Many participants found themselves wilting from mental exhaustion, but humanitarianism has intervened this year's programme is more streamlined.

Also superb is the Synge Summer School, which certainly benefits not only from Synge's undisputed status as one of Ireland's most interesting writers, but also from his historical context and interest in the Irish language.

As a literary mentor of Beckett, Synge has an additional fascination. One of the highlights of all the summer schools I have yet experienced was Barry McGovern's remarkable Beckett presentation, a reading/performance at Synge 1993. This year, McGovern returns to Rathdrum in a programme entitled "Irish Theatre".

As with the Hewitt, the Synge School enjoys a magnificent physical setting. The sun always seems to shine over Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, which also hosts the excellent Parnell school. Relocated to Maynooth College from gracious Celbridge, the Swift School centres on a truly singular genius.

Next year's first summer school, the Kate O'Brien Weekend will be held in Limerick from February 21st-23rd 1997. The weekend always selects a theme around which the programme is arranged. In life O'Brien was an outsider and although it attracts a strong and loyal attendance this out of season "summer school never gets the media attention it deserves.

Any Super League of circuit performers would consistently include UCD's forceful, punchy and inexhaustible Declan Kiberd and, even if he whispers rather than declaims, TCD's Terence Brown. Conversational and relaxed, Bruce Arnold, the epitome of the gentleman enjoying his chosen subject.