February sees the first of three lectures to mark the centenary 1916-2016 by Offaly History.
There are many different views on 1916 and the National Volunteers, the Irish Volunteers, participation in the First World War, Home Rule, McNeill, Redmond, Pearse and so much more. Our aim is to look at the facts and have an appreciation of the sincerely held views of the participants and the consequences of the steps taken. In May and June we will visit sites and museums in Dublin to follow up on what we have discovered.
From our library a number of books will be on display on the 1916 period. We will also use our social media to illustrate different views and happenings. We hope all the lectures will be available as podcasts/and YouTube excerpts in conjunction with the Offaly Heritage Officer and the Offaly County Library.
8 February at 8pm at Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore. Brig. General Jim Cullen on ‘The military strategy of the 1916 Leaders’ – A Retrospective Military Analysis of the 1916 Rising.
A few days in April 1916 altered the course of Irish history. The lessons learned in this brief period had an important influence on the study of insurgency and counter-insurgency operations in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This will be an exciting story. We look forward to seeing you. There will be no countermand for this lecture! Admission €2 to members and €5 to non-members. This includes the tea and biscuits after the lecture and a chance to talk to the other Souls.
The lecture will briefly consider the leadership, military strategy and tactical measures of both sides of the conflict in Dublin during Easter Week. We will also see how the fog of war can quickly alter plans and operational assumptions when conflict begins.
Brig. General Cullen will look at two 1916 battle sites, i.e. the GPO and Mount Street Bridge, to examine tactics and how unanticipated circumstances affected plans. In closing, we will consider questions about measures employed by both sides.
Forthcoming Lectures
19 February – Edenderry History Seminar on ‘Exploring 1916 : a Midlands perspective’. Hosted by the Edenderry Historical Society at Oaklands Community College, Edenderry 7-10 p.m.
Speakers:
Michael Byrne, Tullamore and the 1916 Rising
Maria Gillen, Emily Weddall and 1916
Oliver Conlon, Frank Burke of Carbury and 1916
James Durney, Kildare and the 1916 Rising
Ciarán Reilly, ‘The year began with a bang’: Edenderry 1916
Response: Dr. Philip Brady will offer a response to the papers
Admission €10. All are welcome and refreshments will be served
Enquiries: edenderryhistory@gmail.com
14 March – The Tullamore Incident with Michael Byrne
20 March – 100th anniversary of the Tullamore Incident. Details of events to mark that date will be published in the March newsletter of Offaly History.
25 April – Offaly’s links to the 1916 Rising and its aftermath.
The talk will give an overview covering the years 1912-1920 and will look at the Rising from diverse perspectives in Offaly: Irish Parliamentary Party, Sinn Féin, Unionists, Irish Volunteers, RIC, British Army, civilians and the local press, with Philip McConway.
Please direct enquiries to:
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