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Newry Museum has a series of interesting lectures coming up this month which are inspired by their permanent exhibition “The Border Town” and their temporary exhibition “Brotherhoods and Friendly Societies” as well as highlighting key events that are being currently commemorated
First of on Sunday 10th November from 3pm to 4pm, Professor James Kelly, St. Patrick’s College, DCU will give the talk, “The Freemasons in Ireland”.
The talk will briefly examine the theories surrounding the origins of masonry, and looks at its development, from the establishment of The Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1725 in Dublin and its growth in Ulster, to its condemnation by the Catholic Church in the 19th century, moving from a non-denominational society to an increasingly denominationally exclusive and withdrawn organisation.
On Sunday 17th November from 3pm to 4pm Cathal McManus, Queens University Belfast, makes a welcome return to the Museum to present “Irish Labour in the era of Connolly and Larkin”
The lecture will examine one of the key periods of the Irish Labour movement that culminated in the 1913 Dublin Lockout. In particular, the politics of two key political figures, James Connolly and Jim Larkin will be examined within the context of key events such as the 1907 Dock Worker’s strike in Belfast and the Dublin Lockout.
Local historian Hugh McShane will visit the Museum to speak on the “The Role of Women in the Home Rule Crisis 1912-14”, on Thursday 21st November, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
The spread of the Suffragette campaign to Ireland had politicised many women, who were beginning to resent the constraints on their freedom to vote and the years, 1912-14, were a period in which women played a significant role in the campaign for and against Home Rule and the eventual outcome of those historic events.
Finally, on Sunday 24th November from 3pm to 4pm, Dr Tony Buckley will talk about “Brotherhoods in Ireland” from the early 18th to the 20th centuries.
The brotherhood was the typical form of voluntary associations in this period. They had a huge variety of purposes, such as friendly societies, temperance societies, trade unions and orders which had political and religious purposes.
They modelled themselves on the craft guilds, once central to the life of the medieval towns, and they had secret handshakes and secret signs with elaborate regalia reflecting their secretive rituals. Some of these rituals were frightening, even dangerous. They all, however, had traditions which were peculiar to themselves.
The talk will examine these organisations that were highly democratic from a period when democracy was rare in public life.
There will be light refreshments at each of the talks. Seating is limited so booking is desirable. For more information or to book please call 028 3031 3178.
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