Wednesday, 5 December, at 8.15pm in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone Talk by Dr David Doolin Summary This talk will focus on the 1866 Fenian Brotherhood’s incursions into British North America. It will show that this relatively little known and often derided episode is of greater importance … Continue reading
Wednesday, 14 November, at 8pm in Athlone Public Library Talk by Prof John Horgan and Presentation by Sr Anne Kilroy Summary Prof Horgan will discuss the life and career of Peter Kilroy, an Athlone journalist. Kilroy was a journalist for nearly fifty years, beginning in 1923 until … Continue reading
Tuesday, 30 October, at 8.15pm in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone Talk by Dr Margaret Murphy Summary This talk will examine the variety of sources that can be used to reconstruct diet and farming practices in Ireland. Dr Murphy will explore patterns of food production and consumption in … Continue reading
Wednesday, 25 April, at 8.30pm in the Wineport Lodge Talk by David McCullagh Summary How did Éamon de Valera emerge from obscurity to become the undisputed leader of Irish nationalism during the War of Independence? How did his background shape him and forge the character that … Continue reading
Wednesday, 7 February, 8.15pm in the Officers’ Mess, Custume Barracks Talk by Dr Michael Kennedy Summary When the Irish Civil War came to an end in 1923, few people would have imagined that it would be over a generation later – … Continue reading
Wednesday, 17 January, 8.15pm in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone Talk by Dr Brian Murphy Summary – Eighty years ago, Douglas Hyde was elected unopposed as Ireland’s first President. He served a full seven year term and retired from office in 1945. As President, Hyde had … Continue reading
Wednesday, 6 December, 8.15pm in the Officer’s Mess, Custume Barracks Talk by David Cook Summary Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, a native of Ballinalee, Co Longford, is a major and controversial figure in Irish and British history. An Irish unionist, he gained a reputation … Continue reading
