MacGill Summer School to explore navigating an ‘uncertain world’
This year’s event takes place as Ireland hosts the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The 46th MacGill Summer School is set to commence.
The three-day event is scheduled to take place from Thursday, July 23 to Saturday, July 25, at the Highlands Hotel, Glenties.
Taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this year’s MacGill Summer School will explore the theme of “The New World Disorder” and examine how Ireland, Europe and the wider international community should respond to an era of geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, conflict and rapid technological change.
The MacGill Summer School, in association with the University of Notre Dame, is Ireland’s international forum for thought leaders to discuss the critical issues facing Ireland, Europe and our world. Founded by Dr Joe Mulholland over forty years ago, the School has long been recognised as a unique space for informed debate and fresh thinking.
This year’s programme will bring together leading political, economic and strategic voices to discuss Europe’s security, Ireland’s economic future, infrastructure delivery, organised crime, the future of Irish foreign policy, and the implications of the 2026 U.S. Mid-Term elections.
Dr Mike Ryan, former Executive Director of the World Health Organisation, will deliver the prestigious John Hume Lecture, while Philip Lane, Chief Economist of the European Central Bank, will take part in a special one-to-one interview examining the outlook for the global economy, Europe and Ireland at a time of profound international uncertainty.
“As Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union, MacGill Summer School 2026 will bring together some of the leading voices in politics, economics, diplomacy and public affairs to explore how Ireland and Europe can navigate an increasingly uncertain world,” Vincent McCarthy, Director of the MacGill Summer School, said. “We look forward to welcoming speakers and audiences from across Ireland for three days of discussion, debate and fresh thinking.”
The sessions include: The New World Disorder; Ireland’s Economic Edge in a Fractured World; Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and Securing Our Future; For and Against Neutrality; Can Ireland Deliver on its Infrastructure Ambitions?; What is Ireland Thinking?; Europe’s Future in a Fractured World; Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Fractured World; Organised Crime & Transnational Disorder; Mid-Term Elections & What’s Next for the U.S.
The headline speakers include: Minister Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence; Clément Beaune, France's High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning; Dr. Mike Ryan, former Executive Director, World Health Organisation; Philip Lane, Chief Economist, European Central Bank; Kara Owen CMG, British Ambassador to Ireland; Ivana Bacik TD, Party Leader & Party Spokesperson on Northern Ireland Labour; Prof. Brigid Laffan, Chancellor, University of Limerick; Vanessa Hartley, Vice President of Large Customer Sales for EMEA and Head of Google Ireland; Niall Stanage, White House Columnist, The Hill; Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg; Jude Webber, Ireland Correspondent, Financial Times; Robert Watt, CEO Dublin Regeneration Authority; Prof. Bent Flyvbjerg, Professor Emeritus, University of Oxford; Jon Burrows, Leader of Ulster Unionist Party; Lisa O’Carroll, Senior Correspondent, The Guardian; Sam McBride, Northern Ireland Editor, Belfast Telegraph & Sunday Independent; and Frances Fitzgerald, former Tánaiste and Cabinet Minister.