The Society’s lecture series for 2014-15 has now completed. We will host a number of events after the summer. These events include:

‘The Glorious Madness’ – a talk by Turtle Bunbury, historian and author, on Irish involvement in the First World War, 13 October 2015.

The British army leaving Custume Barracks, Athlone, 1922. The photo was taken from an original album once owned by Sean MacEoin. Thanks to Gearoid O’Brien for information on the photo, which is now stored in the Aidan Heavey Public Library.

‘Conference on the history and archaeology of Athlone’ – Following the success of our conferences on the Irish War of Independence (2011) and Irish Civil War (2013) which were addressed by many leading Irish and international historians, the Society will host a conference on Athlone. The conference will also mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Society, 28 November 2015.

‘Destiny of the Soldiers’ – a talk by Dr. Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Dublin City University. Among many other works, Dr. Ó Beacháin is the author of Destiny of the Soldiers, Fianna Fáil, Irish Republicanism and the IRA 1926-73, (Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 2010), January/February 2015.

The latest edition of the Society journal, which is devoted to the Irish Civil War, will be published in advance of the November Conference.

Field Trip: Please note that the Society will take a field trip to Limerick, including visits to the Hunt Museum, St, John’s Castle, and Sarsfield Barracks on 12 September 2015. For details, and to book a place, contact midlandconference@gmail.com or athlonehistory@gmail.com.