The 5th International Percy French Summer School & Festival - The French Connection - Afar, the theme of this years festival takes place in the wonderful historic Georgian building of Castlecoote House in French's native county of Roscommon. We have an exciting and diverse programme of lectures, music, recitals, poems, parodys, monologues, drama and of course a display of paintings, celebrating the life and times of the multi-talented William Percy French. The School features prominent speakers covering the historical, cultural, social and political context of his life and works. The School seeks to illuminate the considerable social significance of French’s song- writing, poetry, and paintings and their relevance to Ireland’s various ways of life today. The School has succeeded in attracting a wide range of significant authors, academics, politicians, and artists to lecture and perform. The range of lectures and events in the programmes to date reflect the broad spectrum of interests of its directors. The School’s Honorary President is President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.