The Kilkenny Archaeology Society was founded in 1849. The County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society is a relative newcomer dating back only to 1903. There are hordes of other county historical societies and many of them have been publishing annual journals since their inception.
First they survived Irish Independence, then the modernisation of Ireland, the economic revolution that brought prosperity to a country that had been left behind its more prosperous west European neighbours. Now in the 21st century you might expect interest in Irish history to be on the wane. This is precisely what is not happening.
Former Irish Prime Minister, John Bruton, will talk to the Louth Archaeological Society on Monday 19th November at The Monasterboice Inn. His subject: John Redmond (1856 – 1918), a Patriot and Courageous Politician and His Times. At least two new historical societies have sprung up in Co Louth. Earlier this month the Annagassan & District Historical Society had a lecture by Bryan Rogers: No Flowers on a Soldier’s Grave. The lecture covered the stories of the 70 men and women from the locality who served in the army, the V.A.D., and the Royal Navy during World War I including those who were killed or injured and the little-known story of the Belgian refugees who lived in Togher 1914-1918.
The Dunleeer & District Historical Society (founded 2012) has a lecture this evening given by Dr Donal Hall: When the guns went silent – the end of the Great War and Co Louth.
At the beginning of 1918 the allies were already planning military campaigns in 1919, aiming for final victory in 1920. In March the Germans launched a series of offensives to snatch victory before the United States army could be fully deployed. Dr Hall’s lecture will examine how the fortunes of the war suddenly changed leading to the defeat of the German army in November 1918 and how these developments impacted locally in Co Louth. Collon, Drogheda, Omeath and Termonfeckin all have historical societies – a fine spread from Ireland’s smallest county.
I found all this encouraging news on Seamus Bellew’s blog, Irish Heraldry. Then there is further good news on The Irish Aesthete’s website. Robert O’Byrne writes:
“Last week, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht issued a consultation document designed to form a new national plan called Heritage Ireland 2030. This, it appears, will ‘recognise the vital role our heritage plays in our community, our economy and our society’ and, in addition, will provide ‘a coherent, comprehensive and inspiring framework of values, principles and strategic priorities which will guide and inform the heritage sector over the next decade.’ The strategy is to be built around three core themes: National Leadership and Heritage, Heritage Partnerships, and Communities and Heritage. An open invitation is extended by the department for submissions on the plan’s formation (although curiously no deadline is provided) and more information is available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/”
The Irish Aesthete sounds a little cynical but it is a step in the right direction.
Cynicism is probably warranted, but as you say, it seems like a positive move. The Irish Aesthete also has a rather fine Instagram account to which he posts images of ruins and intact buildings of note in Ireland (usually accompanied by erudite commentary). He wrote a very nice article on Barons Court (or Baronscourt, it seems to be written in a few ways) in a magazine recently, as well.
A propos of nothing, I might just mention that I have joined the Wodehouse Society. I have long enjoyed the works, and did not realize there was a Society. Thank you for the recommendation.
As you know well, there are too many of these sorts of things to keep track of, so I find I have long remained loyal to the Trollope Society, while letting the Powell Society drop. The issues of “Wooster Sauce” I received with the membership packet are good fun, and reassure that it is the right choice for me (A.P. is a brilliant writer, but that Society is quite serious, I find.)