RATHKEALE and District Historical Society kick-starts its spring series with three talks of local interest this Friday, January 27.
RATHKEALE and District Historical Society kick-starts its spring series with three talks of local interest this Friday, January 27.The first talk by Lorna Shier is titled ‘The Irish Palatines – Their Lifestyle, Survival and Contribution from 1709’.
Lorna is a member of the Irish Palatine Association and holds an MA degree in the ‘History of the Family’ from the University of Limerick. Her final dissertation was on the theme of the Palatines and the audience can be assured of a scholarly and authoritative presentation.
The second talk, to be presented by Jim O’Riordan, is titled ‘A Stroll Round the Old Village of Cappagh’. A founding member of the society, Jim is a passionate historian with an encyclopedic knowledge and love for his local area. He is sure to hold his listeners spellbound with his gentle storytelling as he talks of Cappagh Castle, Cappagh House and the hangings at Cappagh Hill in the early 1800s. He will also speak of Lord Essex’s encampment in Cappagh Hill and the passage of Captain Going through Cappagh.
The final speaker of the evening will be genealogist Gerard Greaney of Ardagh. His talk is titled: ‘Children for Sale: Ireland 1950-1955’. For most of the twentieth century children born to unwed mothers were treated appallingly in Ireland. Gerard’s talk will chart the lives of some of these children and how they became part of Ireland’s ‘banished babies’.
Proceedings begin at 8.30pm in the Arts Centre located within the Rathkeale area offices of Limerick City and County Council.
by Alan Jacques
