On Saturday 10th November next, the Kildare Archaeological Society’s annual lecture will take place in the Killashee Hotel, starting at 10am (registration at 9:30). This is subject will be of interest to many members, and if you do intend on coming along, please do book to ensure that the hotel can cater correctly for the numbers of attendees.
The Great War ended at 11 o’clock on 11 November 1918 when, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Ireland at this stage was part of the United Kingdom and Irishmen of all persuasions had answered the call, many forfeiting their lives in the conflict. At home the political, social and economic situation had changed forever and survivors returned to a different Ireland, where their contribution to the war was largely ignored or forgotten. This seminar will reflect on the enormous issues facing the country in the decisive year of 1918.
The full programme and booking details can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking here
SESSION ONE
Chair: Hugh Crawford, President CKAS
10.00am Professor Terence Dooley, Maynooth University.
“But when the armistice came at last, we seemed drained of all feeling and one felt nothing’: the Irish Big House and the Great War, 1914-18’
10.40am Dr Fionnuala Walsh, University College Dublin.
‘Women on the upward and onward move’
11.15am-11.45am Coffee/Tea
SESSION TWO
Chair: Professor Raymond Gillespie
11.45am Brig. General Joe Mulligan, GOC, Defence Forces Training Centre
‘Capability Development – Training for the Great War’
12.20pm James Durney, Local Studies, Genealogy & Archives, Newbridge Library.
‘1918, A Year of Darkness and Light’
1.00pm-2.00pm Lunch
SESSION THREE
Chair: Professor Marian Lyons
2.00pm Catriona Crowe, former head of Special Projects at the National Achives of Ireland.
‘The Hammer and the Pen: the Development of Irish First Wave Feminism’
2.35pm Keynote Lecture Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, UCD.
“The Path of National Salvation?’ The Triumph of Sinn Féin in 1918’
3.15pm–4.00pm Discussion and close of Seminar.