A US Congressman with Donegal roots is lined up to discuss just ‘how polarised America really is’ during the 2021 Kennedy Summer School this September.
Brendan F. Boyle, whose father Francis is from Glencolmcille, is set to join the event remotely from the States, while former White House chief of staff, director of the Office of Management and Budget and Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney, takes part in the discussion on stage.
The 2021 Kennedy Summer School is a festival of Irish & American Politics, History and Culture which will be held in New Ross in County Wexford this September 2nd to 4th
Congressman Brendan F. Boyle was elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature in 2008, becoming the first Democrat to ever represent this legislative district. Two years later his brother, Kevin, was also elected to the state legislature, making them the first brothers to serve together in the state House. In 2014, Congressman Boyle pulled off an upset win over three better-funded rivals to be elected to Congress.
The dominant narrative emanating from the US in recent years has been one of division. In the upcoming session, two prominent Irish Americans – one Republican and one Democrat – consider the consequences of political and societal polarisation, and share ideas for how their country and its increasingly diverse people can, while recognising and respecting heartfelt, legitimate differences of opinion on important issues, come together and rediscover a shared sense of purpose and ambition for the US.
Congressman Boyle is one of 30 plus guest speakers to participate in debates on a wide range of subjects. Prof. Luke O’Neill, Tommie Gorman, Donie O’Sullivan of CNN, Minister Darragh O’Brien and Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry are just some of the guests taking part. The event will be held in accordance with all public health guidelines. Therefore, a limited number of tickets to the 2021 Summer School will be released for sale in early August.
