Efacis "The lecture by Kate Heffernan links the creative with the practical, the public with the personal. In a very passionate and informative talk she not only introduced us to Irish culture and some of its historical hurdles but also offered a glimpse behind the literal and the metaphorical curtain of working at and for theatres and art centres in Ireland. We, as listeners, felt her dedication to freedom of expression, not for the fulfilment of the artistic ego, but for a truly intimate immersion in the dramatic and intellectual experience. Her latest play, discussed during the lecture and class, felt like a sad but poignant commentary on intergenerational covenants and conflicts; our inability to fully get to know another person, alongside the simultaneous necessity for mutual recognition."
Katarzyna Bronk-Bacon, Assistant professor, Faculty of English
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"During the meeting, Kate Heffernan brilliantly discussed three instances of in-direct political (art) censorship which took place in Ireland recently. She skilfully introduced each event, presenting how the engaged sides and the public saw it, and finally what impact did it have on he Irish art scene. While leading the dialogue with the public, she also mentioned how the most tuned out voices belong to the minorities and the less politically visible. In connection to that idea, her newest play Guest Host Stranger Ghost touches on systemic mistreatment of the elderly in Dublin. The meeting made me reflect on the nature of censorship in the present day. It was also very interesting to see how the censorship effectively only made the issues more apparent and louder. Overall, I was very impressed with the discussion."
Alex Blij, 3rd year BA English-Celtic Philology
