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Minister Tom Parlon opened the conference on Friday evening (see his speech elsewhere) following a welcome from the Lord Abbot Dom Kevin Daly.
An outstanding feature of the conference was the quality of the research presented in an entertaining manner by many of Ireland’s leading young scholars. The full line up was published in last week’s edition. Some 12 post grad students attended and were accommodated in the guesthouse.
Of special interest were the field trips to Leap Castle and Gloster House.
Dr Geraldine Carville’s magnificent new book on Secrets of Cistercian music in Ireland, 1142- 1541 was formally launched by Fr Nivard Kinsella on the Saturday evening following a showing of an accompanying DVD by Belfast publisher Michael Mc Kernon of Shanway Press.
Conference director George Cunningham declared himself delighted both with the quality of the research and the outstanding presentations. Of special interest too was the emphasis placed on Roscrea’s Franciscan friary usually the poor relation in Roscrea’s suite of monuments.
Thanks to the OPW, RHS, Roscrea Credit Union and AIB Bank Roscrea for the sponsorship which allowed the high quality throughout the weekend.
As usual too the hospitality of Mt St Joseph was unrivalled. | 
