Business And Leadership, Ireland's Business News Service

The ‘father of modern economics’, Richard Cantillon, was born in Ballyheigue, Co Kerry in 1680. The Richard Cantillon Summer School in Ballyheigue from 15-17 July 2009 will celebrate his contribution and bring together leading academics, entrepreneurs and community developers.

Richard Cantillon is most famous for his ‘Essay on the nature of commerce in general’, written in French in 1730 and published in 1755, 20 years after his death.  It is in the first part of this essay that the first known occurrence of the term ‘entrepreneur’ is found.  Cantillon describes an entrepreneur as having a distinct function apart from wage earners and people hired for labour.  His work is quoted by Adam Smith in "Wealth of Nations" and he was described by Rothbard as "the father of modern economics".

The Summer School, a joint venture between Kerry County Enterprise Board, South West Regional Authority and Ballyheigue Community representatives,  will provide workshops, debates and lectures which are attractive to academics, third level economic and business students and entrepreneurs.  A commemorative plaque will be unveiled in Ballyheigue at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 15th July and the first full day on 16th July will include a visit to the Kerry Technology Park in Tralee and a Gala Dinner in Ballyheigue.

After the opening address on 16th July, the first speaker will be Professor Brian Lucey of Trinity College Dublin on "Revolutionising the Irish Economic System".

The programme continues over two days with:
Professor Connell Fanning, University College Cork: Alternative ways to overcome the current impasse

Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, Dublin City University: Importance of Language and Culture to Entrepreneurship and Social and Rural Entrepreneurship (workshop)

Ms Briga Hynes, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick: Enterprise Education - a foundation for business growth (workshop)

Dr Thomas Cooney, Dublin Institute of Technology and Director of the Institute for Minority Entrepreneurship: European Models of Entrepreneurship

Dr Vincent Cunnane, CEO, Shannon Development: Adapting to new realities - state agency support for entrepreneurship

Jerry Kennelly, photographer, entrepreneur and business mentor will facilitate the final workshop on What can regions do for themselves? Nurturing development without government support.

For further information on the Summer School and registration, visit www.richardcantillon.com or contact Mary Beary, Summer School co-ordinator, 087 688 9850 or Victor Sheahan, Kerry County Enterprise Board on 066 718 3522, kerryceb@kerrycoco.ie