Louth Library Service is delighted to announce an exciting line-up for the Autumn lecture series, part of Louth County Council’s Commemorative Programme 2024.
The events will be presented by leading authors, historians, and broadcasters and are aimed specifically at an adult audience. The talks will focus on connecting and engaging adults in the local community to reflect on the early years of the state, whilst also looking back on events during the Decade of Centenaries.
Amanda Branigan, Acting County Librarian, said: ‘Louth Library Service would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Commemorations Unit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in funding the Louth County Council Commemorative Programme 2024.”
The series began in Dundalk Library on September 5th with a fascinating lecture led by historian, author and broadcaster Dr. Myles Dungan, and continues across Louth Library service over the coming weeks as follows:
The Big House and the Irish Civil War-John Dorney - Drogheda Library, Wednesday 11th September at 6.30pm.
The 'Big House' - the country mansion of the Anglo-Irish landed class - was a target of republicans throughout the Irish revolution of 1919-23. A total of 275 were burned out, blown up or destroyed. Historian John Dorney is editor of The Irish Story website and author of Peace After the Final Battle the Story of the Irish Revolution (2014) and The Civil War in Dublin, the Fight for the Irish Capital (2017).
“Reaching for the stars” - de Valera and America-Dr. David McCullagh - Dundalk Library, Saturday 21st September at 3pm.
America was central to the life and the career of Éamon de Valera. It wasn’t just the land of his birth. Throughout his life, the United States was incredibly important for him. It gave him the political support which helped him defeat his rivals and the financial support without which he couldn’t have fought elections or established the Irish Press. Broadcaster Dr David McCullagh is an anchor presenter of the RTE news flagship, The Six-One News. He is a former presenter of Prime Time and was Political Correspondent for RTÉ for 12 years. He has a PhD in politics from University College Dublin and is the author of five books on Irish history, including De Valera Rise and De Valera Rule, the acclaimed two-volume reassessment of Eamon de Valera. His most recent book, The Great Irish Politics Book, is a guide to politics for children.
The Irish Diaspora-Turtle Bunbury - Ardee Library, Thursday, October 10th at 6:30pm.
Since 1800 an estimated 10 million people have left Irish shores. Today, more than 80 million people worldwide claim Irish descent. Turtle traces the story of the Irish abroad from the first missionaries through the seafarers, warriors and explorers of centuries past. Homing in on a variety of convicts, imperialists, emigrants, famine refugees and political activists, a picture emerges of a truly astonishing legacy that has pushed Ireland to the forefront in the present age. Turtle Bunbury is ‘one of Ireland’s most prolific historians’ with over 20 published books. An award-nominated podcaster, his book, The Irish Diaspora is described by BBC History Magazine as ‘impeccably researched… packed with vivid detail.’
All talks are free to attend with no booking required.
David McCullagh event
