“Activism, Murders, Cricket and Labour” – Laois Library will host a variety of historical talks

Portlaoise Library will be starting their summer series of history talks in July.

The talks, which all focus on local history in Laois, will take place every Wednesday evening at 7pm.

The library staff has expressed their delight with this year’s line-up and looks forward to seeing you there.

Wednesday 3rd July – ‘The Story of Cricket in Laois from 1833 to 2023’ with James Bennett.

The first lecture will be given by James Bennett, a Laois native and cricket enthusiast. The lecture is based on the publication of the same name by James Bennett.

The lecture will describe and analyse the evolution of cricket from its elite origins to its current status as an inclusive sport in Laois, exploring the links between cricket and the social, political and cultural history of the county.

Wednesday 10th July – “Women’s Activism in Laois 1914 to 1923” with Regina Dunne.

Regina will provide an overview of the various women’s groups in Laois who actively supported their local community, their country and their fathers, husbands, brothers and neighbors who fought in the Great War.

Her current research focuses on the United Irishwomen and their activities. In addition, she shows some documents from the Bureau of Military History to provide an overall picture of women’s history in Laois during this period.

Wednesday 24 July – ‘Kevin O’Higgins, his friends and enemies’ with Arthur Matthews.

Renowned author and actor Arthur Mathews will give a lecture based on the speaker’s latest publication of the same name.

Kevin O’Higgins is originally from Stradbally and played an important role in the War of Independence. However, he would later be involved in the passage of the Army Emergency Powers Resolution, which authorized internment, military courts, and executions as legal instruments for the national army.

Admired by some for his public policy achievements, he was so hated by others that he was assassinated in 1927.

Wednesday 31 July – ‘Land and Labor in Laois from 1904 to 1924’ with Terry Dunne.

This lecture will look at worker and agricultural protest in Laois in the years immediately before and during the First World War and the Irish Revolution.

Terry Dunne is co-editor of a new collection of essays published by Four Courts Press, entitled Spirit of Revolution: Ireland from Below, 1917-1923. He has researched and written on a wide range of historical topics relating to Laois.