Tag Archives: Ireland

The 2018 William (Billy) English Memorial Lecture: ‘The Rise of de Valera, 1882-1932: the making of the Chief’

Posted on April 11, 2018 by

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 →

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Ireland, the UN and the Congo

Posted on January 23, 2018 by

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 →

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Douglas Hyde and the making of the Irish Presidency

Posted on January 9, 2018 by

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 →

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Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson – Soldier and Politician

Posted on November 24, 2017 by

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 →

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The role of The Congested Districts Board in post-Famine Ireland

Posted on November 24, 2017 by

Tuesday 14th November 2017 at 8.15pm in Lough Ree Yacht Club Talk by James Morrissey Summary – The lecture will discuss the setting up of the Congested Districts Boards in Ireland in 1891 and the various initiatives it supported with the goal of … Continue reading →

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Bombs, bullets and the border- Irish border security 1969-1978

Posted on October 18, 2017 by

8.15 pm on Wednesday, 25 October – Sheraton Hotel, Athlone Talk by Dr Patrick Mulroe Summary – This talk will cover a traumatic period in Irish history as violence erupted first in the urban centres of Northern Ireland before spreading to the border. The initial … Continue reading →

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Erasing our Past – The Plan to Demolish Athlone’s Castle

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

8.15 pm on Wednesday, 27 September, Officer’s Mess, Custume Barracks Talk by Dr Paul Murray Summary – The plan to demolish Athlone Castle was met with much opposition and little enthusiasm. Those proposing and opposing the plan put forward trenchant … Continue reading →

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