The John Boyle O’Reilly School 2008
The Annual John Boyle O'Reilly Schoo lwill be held in the d Hotel , Scotch Hall, Drogheda , on 14th September 2008 .Registration is at 10.30 am
Programme
10:30am Registration & Coffee.
11:00am ‘The Fenian Movement at Home and Abroad’ by Michael Kenny
From the foundation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1858, the spread of republicanism ushered in a new era in the growth of Irish politics and had a profound influence on subsequent political developments. The tragedy of the Famine also ensured that the republican spirit was no longer confined to Ireland but was increasingly found in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries where Irish people found themselves.
12:00pm ‘An Independent Democratic Republic:James Stephens’s Fenian legacy’ by Dr Marta Ramón
James Stephens is one of the most controversial figures in the Fenian movement, but has a claim to historical importance regardless of his perceived shortcomings as a revolutionary leader. This lecture will offer a new assessment of the IRB as a democratic rather than a purely revolutionary organisation and will identify Stephens contribution to this picture.
1:00pm Lunch Interval.
2:30pm ‘John O’Mahony: Fenian leader & Gaelic revivalist’ by Dr Brian J. Sayers
Although there has been ample recognition of the significance of Fenianism, the critical role of its originator and dominant figure, John O’Mahony, in moulding the movement has been frequently overlooked. The purpose of this lecture is to illuminate O’Mahony’s dual role as head of Fenianism and promoter of the Irish language movement in the United States.
3.30pm ‘Memories of a Poet’s Dreamland’ by Brendan Matthews
Recalling a tale of adventure, excitement, danger and tragedy before and after the Fenian Rising of Drogheda 1867.
Speakers
Michael Kenny
Profile
Michael Kenny is Art and Industrial Keeper at the National Museum of Ireland, where he has worked for over 30 years. He is the author of ‘The Fenians: Photographs and Memorabilia from the National Museum of Ireland’ (Irish Treasures). He is also the author of ‘The Road to Freedom’ and is regarded as a leading authority on the subject.
Dr Marta Ramón
Profile
Marta Ramon holds a PhD from the University of Oviedo, in Spain, and has been an IRCHSS Government of Ireland postdoctoral fellow at NUI Maynooth, where she developed her first monograph, ‘A Provisional Dictator: James Stephens and the Fenian Movement’ (UCD Press, 2007). She is currently an occasional lecturer and tutor at NUIM and Oscail.
Dr Brian J. Sayers
Profile
Brian Sayer holds a PhD from NUI Maynooth where he completed his dissertation on the life and writings of the Fenian leader John O’Mahony. Dr Sayers is the author of several articles on Irish and Irish-American nationalism and has recently been awarded an IRCHSS Post Doctoral Fellowship in order to publish a biography of John O’Mahony.
Brendan Mathews
Profile
Brendan is the Archivist at Millmount Museum Library, Drogheda. He contributes a weekly column on Community History and Archaeology to Drogheda Independent Newspaper and has studied Community History and Archaeology for most of his life.
Brendan is the author of the ‘History of Stamullen’ and his new book on the history of Millmount Fort will be published shortly. Brendan can always to counted on to uncover new angles for his lectures.
Bookings and Information:
Betty Quinn, Programme Director
Tel: 041-9833097 (Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm)
Email: info@millmount.net
Fee: €30
(including 4 course lunch)
Publicity sponsored by Drogheda Borough Council
Patron: Dr. T.K. Whitaker
Please Note Places are limited - Early Booking Advisable