2027 has been designed as the Year of the Normans - a European-wide cultural initiative. The year marks the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror, England's first Norman king. Later Norman kings of England ruled Ireland following the conquest of 1169. This has led to some in Ireland - including Sinn Féin - to argue that Ireland should not get involved, that this would amount to a celebration of colonisation. Claudia Kohler is education and outreach officer with Kerry County Museum in Tralee.
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