Louvain 1607-2007

Louvain 2007 is a celebration of the foundation by the Irish Franciscans of St Anthony’s College in Louvain, Belgium in 1607. The Irish College was founded under the patronage of the King of Spain and the Papacy and became the focus of an energetic cultural and political project that had a significant influence on Ireland’s relations with Europe, the writing of Irish history and the preservation of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage. To mark the 400th anniversary of the foundation a series of events is being organised for 2007 both in Louvain and throughout Ireland. A Summer School will be held in Louvain in May 2007 and throughout the year conferences will be held in the Catholic University of Louvain (KUL), Dublin Institute of Technology (Conservatory of Music), NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth and University College Dublin. Major exhibitions will be mounted including exhibitions in the National Museum of Ireland, Trinity College Library, Waterford Treasures and in Louvain. A full calendar of events was launched in Autumn 2006. Co-ordinator: Dr Edel Bhreathnach, UCD Mícheal Ó Cléirigh Institute for Irish History & Civilisation.