New series of fascinating talks

THE Eblana Forum at the Dún Laoghaire Club is hosting a series of weekly lectures, commencing on Thursday, October 17.

On Thursday, December 5, ‘Deansgrange Graves’ will be given by Jamie Moran in the club at 3 Eblana Avenue.

The author and former gravedigger at Deansgrange Cemetery will tell the stories of those who died in the War of Independence and were buried in Deansgrange.

Jamie’s book ‘Deansgrange Cemetery and the Dead of 1916’ is the definitive account on the subject.

On Thursday, December 5 at 7.30pm, Dr Edward Bourke will discuss ‘Spies, Infomers and Callaborators’.

Dr Bourke is about to publish a comprehensive study into spies and the Secret Service during our War for Independence.

He is the author of the book on the history of the Guinness Brewery titled ‘The Family, the Business and the Black Stuff’.

He has also written several histories of ship wrecks off our coasts.

Jim Lacey, who has written the book ‘A Candle in the Window’ – a history of Castleknock – has researched the details of IRA activity in the area and especially the Ashtown Ambush on Lord French, the Lord Lieutenant in December 1919.

His talk will take place on Thursday, November 28, commencing at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, Padraig Yeates will give a talk on ‘Dublin In War and Revolution’ on Thursday, October 24 at 7.30pm

Padraig Yeates is one of the best known and respected historians of this period in Irish history.

He has written several books including, ‘A City in Wartime, Dublin 1914-18’, ‘A City in Turmoil, Dublin 1919-21’, ‘A City in Civil War, Dublin 1921-24’ and ‘Rioters, Looters, Patrollers and Mutineers’

Paul Callery,  a former member of the Irish Defence forces, has assembled a major display of documents, artefacts and weapons from the War for Independence period.

His display has been shown at several historical events and he will be showing off his wares on Thursday, November 14.

These, and many other fascinating accounts and talks will take place as part of the series.
Book your place(s) at the lectures and attend any one or all seven nights.

Entry is by voluntary donation to help defray some of the overheads involved. Email [email protected] or drop a line to The Eblana Forum, 3 Eblana Avenue, Dún Laoghaire.