The presidency of George W. Bush has been marked by a serious deterioration in the relationship between the US and Europe, the International Humbert School heard last night.
The editor of the independent White House Weekly newsletter, Mr Llewellyn King, told those attending the opening session that the level of anti-Europeanism among Americans was "greater than anything I've seen for 40 years".
But he added that, as the Bush administration came under pressure from failures abroad and business scandals at home, the national unity the President had been able to count on since the attacks of last September was now beginning to fray.
Mr King was giving the keynote speech at the 16th annual summer school, at Ballina, Co Mayo, which this year takes the theme: "How September 11th changed the world."
Domestic politics also intruded on the opening night, however, with the school's director expressing criticism of the decision by Mr David Trimble not to attend.
Mr John Cooney said he had been confident that the Ulster Unionist leader would address the event, despite difficulties in the peace process and the tensions of the marching season, and he accused him of "political cowardice" in declining the invitation at a late stage.
Echoing Mr Trimble's criticisms of the Republic earlier this year, Mr Cooney said that the First Minister preferred playing "pathetic sectarian politics in Northern Ireland" to "coming South and talking about the way forward".
The event began with prayers for the dead of September 11th and a toast to the memory of the writer Tom Flanagan, whose book The Year of the French inspired the summer school and who died earlier this year.
The school continues today with a debate on the impact of the September 11th attacks on Europe between speakers who include the former Fine Gael leader, Mr Alan Dukes.
Other highlights in the week-long programme include Friday's discussion on education, "Preserving Privilege or Key to a Just Society?", which will feature the Northern Ireland Minister of Education, Mr Martin McGuinness.
The school ends on Saturday, when the local TD and newly-elected leader of Fine Gael, Mr Enda Kenny, will outline his vision for the future of the party.
Meanwhile, the Synge Summer School continues at Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, today, when highlights will include a reading by the novelist John McGahern.
The school opened on Sunday and has attracted participants from France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, the US and Australia. A spokeswoman stressed, however, that many of the daily events are open to the general public.
Today's programme also includes a talk by the theatre director Paul Mercier and a tour of Synge country, including Annamoe, Tomriland and Glanmore.
Tomorrow features talks by the theatre critic Karen Fricker on the theme "No More Riots? The Possibility of Controversy in 21st-Century Irish Theatre"; and by Prof Adrian Frazier on "The Shadow of the Glen and the Three Kinds of Ignorance."
Friday's programme will include a lecture by Prof Nicholas Grene entitled "Reality Check - Authenticity from Synge to MacDonagh."
The school closes on Saturday with a panel discussion on "Staging Synge" which will feature Ms Garry Hynes, artistic director of the Druid Theatre.
Further information on all the events is available at:
www.syngesummerschool.com
