Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society

Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series

Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are again hosting an online lecture series on the War of Independence with special focus on the local impact of this defining moment in our history.

The series will be facilitated each Wednesday for four weeks, beginning on Wednesday 14th April at 8pm.

On 14th April well known local historian Ruth Illingworth will talk about Mullingar in 1921 with particular attention to social and political developments in the town.

On 21st April Dr Ian Kenneally  an Athlone based historian with several books to his credit will look at the fate of the landlord class in the county with a special case study of the burning of Moydrum Castle in Athlone and the wider ramifications of this event.

The speaker for April 28th will be Castlepollard native Prof Marie Coleman who is now based in Queens University Belfast. Marie will reflect on the role of women in the struggle for independence and on how the events of 100 years ago can be appropriately commemorated today.

The final speaker on 5th May is Dr Eve Morrison who has completed extensive research into the life and times of War of Independence veteran Ernie O Malley. 

All the lectures are free to view and the link can be obtained on the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society website whahs.ie