Opening up the debate about class in Ireland, William Thompson Weekend 2004.

cork | miscellaneous | press release Monday April 19, 2004 13:58 by Rosie Meade - William Thompson Weekend r.meade at ucc dot ie

The 5th William Thompson Weekend will take place in the Firkin Crane Centre, Cork between April 30th and May 2nd 2004. The theme of the weekend is 'Class; Politics, Agency, Identity'

Since 2000 Cork’s Firkin Crane Centre has hosted an eclectic and international gathering that pays tribute to William Thompson, native of the city and early advocate of socialism, feminism and co-operativisation. The weekend conference, organised by a small group of volunteers, seeks to celebrate and explore the continued relevance of Thompson’s work in contemporary society. The theme of this year’s William Thompson Weekend is ‘Class – Politics, Agency, Identity’ and it will take place between April 30th and May 2nd.

Over the years the William Thompson Weekend has focused on themes relating to democracy, equality, culture and creativity, and in doing so has attracted contributors from all parts of Ireland, from the US, the UK, and Sweden. At this year’s event, academics, trade unionists, community and political activists will discuss the extent to which ‘Class’ serves to shape and determine life chances in contemporary Irish society. UCD professor, Kathleen Lynch will challenge the absence of debate about class in popular culture, while Ciaran McCullagh of UCC will consider the extent to which class inequalities permeate the criminal justice system. Other contributors will focus on the extent to which access to health care and housing are determined by class. Long standing community activist Sheila Lee will reflect on her own biography as a working class woman in order to reveal the personal consequences of inequality and the positive potential for solidarity in working class communities.

William Thompson established himself as a champion of the emancipation of women and as an opponent of all forms of oppression. To honour his memory, internationally renowned feminist writer and activist Lynne Segal will deliver the annual William Thompson Lecture on Friday April 30th. The weekend will also feature a showing of the latest video offering from Undercurrents, the Oxford based radical media organization. The weekend will conclude with a poetry reading and discussion by Paula Meehan, the Dublin born poet. Paula’s poetry is informed by her experiences of working class life and community. Information on the weekend and the full programme is available from Rosie Meade at r.meade@ucc.ie.