Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society

The Land Border in Ireland by Dr Cormac Moore
2023-09-20 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin) | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
A Lecture In association with Westmeath County Council
The Land Border In Ireland
by Dr Cormac Moore
On Wednesday 20th September 2023 at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Visit Clonaboy Thatched Cottage
2023-08-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Clonaboy Thatched Cottage, Clonaboy, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, N91 RD34, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents

Explore one if the few surviving mud walled Thatched Cottages surviving in Ireland at Clonaboy Rathowen and hear about our Vernacular Heritage.

Location: Clonaboy, Rathowen
Eircode: near N91 RD34
Parking available on site
A chance to view this thatched cottage, which was recently rethatched, and hear a talk on our vernacular Architecture by Barry O’Reilly Architectural Conservation Advisor, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage,Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Seamus O Brien- Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society and
Martin Manning- owner of cottage will also speak at the event
Contact email obriains@gmail.com for further information

The Civil War in Westmeath 1922-1923
2023-04-01 09:30 - 15:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
Sixth Annual Conference
The Civil War in Westmeath 1922-1923
VIEW BROCHURE -> Click Here
Michael Nolan
Title of Talk: ‘War, Lawlessness & crime’: Westmeath 1922-23
Ruth Illingworth
Title of Talk: Mullingar in 1923
Vona Groarke
Title of Talk: Herafter: The telling life of Ellen O’Hara
Myles Dungan
Title of Talk: Execution, reprisals & extra-judicial killings during the Civil War
Robert Delaney
Title of Talk: The 18 Pounder field gun & the Irish Civil War
On Saturday 1st April 2023, 9:45am to 3:30pm
in The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar
Admission €30 (incl. lunch, teas, coffee and brochure)

Westmeath Numismatics - A lecture by Michael Kenny
2023-03-22 20:00 - 21:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
In association with Westmeath County Council
Westmeath Numismatics
– Gold and silver hoards discovered in the county’s lakes, islands and peatlands.
by Michael Kenny
On Wednesday 22nd March 2023 at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Literary Westmeath a lecture by Dr Mary Shine Thompson
2023-02-22 20:00 - 21:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
In association with Westmeath County Council
Literary Westmeath
– poets, writers and artists reflections on the heritage,
personality and culture of the Lake County
by Dr Mary Shine Thompson
On Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Hitlers Hangman - The Life of Heydrich - A lecture by Mr Justice Peter Charleton
2023-01-25 20:00 - 21:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
Presents
“Hitlers Hangman – The Life of Heydrich”
by Mr Justice Peter Charleton
On Wednesday 25th January 2023 at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Book Launch - Iarmhí by Professor William Nolan
2022-12-14 19:30 - 21:00 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St, Commons, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
Book Launch of
Iarmhí
Journal of the Westmeath Archaeological & historical Society
Edited by Seamus O’Brien

On Wednesday 14th December at 7.30pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Burning the Big House - Understanding Civil War Conflagrations by Prof. Terence Dooley
2022-11-23 20:00 - 22:00 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
In association with Westmeath County Council Decade of Centenaries Event
“Burning the Big House – Understanding Civil War Conflagrations”
by Prof. Terence Dooley
On Wednesday 23rd November at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Professor Terence Dooley, MA, PH.D. (NUI), H. DIP. ED. is Head of Department and Director, Centre for the study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates. He is the author of the recently published and much acclaimed ‘Burning the Big House’ which explores the fate of the ascendency during the Civil War.

Lecture Schedule for 2022/2023 – click to enlarge

All welcome.

The assassination of Sir Henry Wilson MP - prelude to civil war by Ronan McGreevy
2022-10-26 20:00 - 22:00 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society
In association with Westmeath County Council Decade of Centenaries Event
“The assassination of Sir Henry Wilson MP – prelude to civil war”
by Ronan McGreevy

On Wednesday 26th October at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Ronan McGreevy is a journalist and videographer with The Irish Times. He is the author of the book ‘Wherever the Firing Line Extends: Ireland and the Western Front’. He is the editor of Centenary, Ireland remembers 1916 the official State book recalling the commemorations of 2016. He is the author of the recently published, much acclaimed ‘Great Hatred: The assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP’.

Lecture Schedule for 2022/2023 – click to enlarge

All welcome.

Map Making Seminar with Dr Paul Gosling
2022-10-08 10:00 - 16:00 | County Buildings, Mullingar, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N91 XH9R, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society Presents
A Map Making Seminar with Dr Paul Gosling
Acquiring the skills to create our own maps for Local Studies. Please bring your own laptop to enjoy the activities.
On Saturday 8th October from 10.00am to 4.00pm
In the conference room, County Buildings, Mullingar
To Book your place on this Seminar
Email: obriains@gmail.com

Dr Paul Gosling
Dr Paul Gosling is a retired lecturer on built heritage in the Department of Heritage and Tourism at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. He is currently researching the place and route aspects of the great medieval epic, Táin Bó Cúailnge (the cattle raid of Cooley). He is a professional archaeologist and a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland.

Lecture Schedule for 2022/2023 – click to enlarge

All welcome.

The handover of Dublin Castle - the symbolic birth of a nation by Dr John Gibney RIA
2022-09-28 20:00 - 22:00 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society

In association with Westmeath County Council Decade of Centenaries Event
“The handover of Dublin Castle – the birth of a nation”
by Dr John Gibney
On Wednesday 28th September at 8.00pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar

Dr John Gibney ria is Assistant Editor with the Royal Irish Academy’s Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series and is the coauthor (with Kate O’Malley) of The Handover: Dublin Castle and the British withdrawal from Ireland, 1922 (Royal Irish Academy). He was centrally involved in the development of the National Archives’ exhibition on the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Lecture Schedule for 2022/2023 – click to enlarge

All welcome.

Tour of Bronze Age Site of Knockastia by Dr Paul Gosling
2022-08-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Bronze Age Sign N37 TK31, Rosemount, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N37 TK31, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“A Tour of the Impressive Bronze Age site of Knockastia”
by Dr Paul Gosling
On Saturday 13th August at 2.30pm
Gather at 2pm beside bronze age sign in Rosemount.
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Archaeologist, Dr Paul Gosling will lead a tour of the impressive Bronze Age site of Knockastia, on Saturday 13 August at 230 pm.
The site was excavated by the Harvard Expedition in the early 1930s. Recent aerial photography indicates the presence of a large enclosure encircling the summit which will be examined on the ground along with the remains of the hilltop cairn.

Paul Gosling has written extensively on the route An Táin Bó Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley) and he will discuss how this landmark site features in the epic tale. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape as you learn about the prehistory and mythology of one of Westmeath’s most striking hills.
We will gather at 2pm beside the Bronze Age sign in Rosemount. Parking is available on road leading to the site
Post code N37 TK31

Formation of the Civic Guards in Westmeath in 1922 by Dr Paul Hughes
2022-07-28 19:30 - 21:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Formation of the Civic Guards in Westmeath in 1922”
by Dr Paul Hughes
On Thursday 28th July 2022 at 7.30pm
At The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
The formation of an unarmed police force was a critical decision which ensured the fostering of a democratic ethos in the newly independent Free State.
Dr Hughes is a journalist and has published widely on the revolutionary era.
All welcome.

Mullingar conference on the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922
2022-04-09 10:00 - 15:30 | The Greville Arms Hotel, Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse St,, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 X9RN, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Mullingar conference on the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922”
On Saturday next 9 April the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society will host their fifth annual conference in the Greville Arms Hotel. This daylong conference will commence at 10am and finish at 3.30 pm.
The theme of the conference is the Anglo- Irish Treaty of 1922, which had long lasting consequences for the entire island up to present times.
A very interesting programme is planned with speakers from Maynooth University, the Royal Irish Academy and local historians with a specialist interest in this revolutionary era.
The Society acknowledges the support of Westmeath County council as well as the Department of Arts, Culture Tourism, Media and the Gaeltacht, which supports events like this through the Decades of Centenaries Fund.
Dr John Gibney will examine the defining moment of the setting up of the Free State when Michael Collins drove into Dublin Castle in 1922 and asked for the keys.
On being told that he was late, he replied that his hosts were 800 years late in leaving! Local journalist and historian Dr Paul Hughes will explore the audacious activities of Laurence Ginnell who opposed the Treaty and occupied the Irish consulate in New York in protest. Well-known historian and tour guide Ruth Illingworth will look at events in Mullingar in 1922 as the barracks was handed over to Free State forces.
Dr Jennifer Redmond from Maynooth University will look at objections and alternative proposals to the Treaty including De Valera Document 2 and the attitudes of women to these momentous new developments.
Our final speaker Fr Paul Connell PhD will give a very interesting alternative perspective on the lives of young men here who had fought in World War One in a lecture entitled “The Quest for the Lost of World War One -The case of Westmeath.
A four page brochure with full details of the speakers as well as the conference programme will be available to attendees.
Admission €25 per person which includes dinner, teas coffees and a complimentary brochure.
All welcome.

Launch of Major Book on History of County Westmeath
2022-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | County Buildings, Mullingar, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, N91 XH9R, Ireland
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Westmeath: History and Society” interdisiplinary essays on the history of an Irish County.
Edited by Historian Seamus O’Brien
On Thursday next 24 March a major work on the history of Westmeath from pre-historic times up to the present day will be launched by Archbishop Dermot Farrell in the Atrium of the County Buildings in Mullingar at 630pm.

This work has been in progress for almost a decade and contains contributions by historians from all parts of the county and elsewhere. Called Westmeath:history and society. Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county the Westmeath volume is part of a series of county histories commenced by Prof Willie Nolan when he published on his native county Tipperary in 1985.
The Westmeath volume is substantial, comprising some thirty-five chapters contributed by historians and researchers from the county and from universities in Ireland and further afield.
These essays embrace a multiplicity of disciplines including geology, archaeology, folklore, cartography, historiography, literature and art history, which explore the evolution of this midland county from pre-history to present times.
The success of the series has been largely based on this ‘interdisciplinary’ approach as well as the successful integration of the contributions from a range of disciplines and Westmeath: history and society follows this well-established format.
This volume builds on the scholarship of Westmeath historians such as Fr. Paul Walsh, Jeremiah Sheehan, Leo Daly, Marian Keaney and Billy English. Despite the significant contributions of these and other historians, no comprehensive monograph on the history of the county was forthcoming.
This is unsurprising as no single scholar could be expected to have the all-round expertise in the various disciplines to produce a work of the scope and scale of Westmeath: history and society, which will now become the standard reference work on the history of the county for many years to come.
Edited by historian Seamus O Brien, Westmeath: history and society, has been supported by Westmeath County Council, Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society and the Old Athlone Society.
All are welcome.

Pre-Launch Lecture on "Westmeath History and Society" by Prof. Willie Nolan
2021-12-15 20:00 - 21:30 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
Pre-Launch Lecture on “Westmeath History and Society”
by Prof. Willie Nolan
On wednesday 15th December 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society will host a lecture on a forthcoming publication which will make an important contribution to the historiography of the county.
The publication will be part of a series of county histories started by Professor Willie Nolan in 1985 when he published on his native county Tipperary in 1985.
Prof. Willie Nolan
Geography Publications, set up by Willie continued this process for several other countries over the following years ; twenty eight counties are now available and Westmeath will be the latest in this prestigious and highly regarded publication series.
Westmeath- History and Society is edited by historian Seamus O Brien and contains 35 essays by eminent historians from the county and academics from universities throughout the country. The launch will take place early in 2022 in both Mullingar and Athlone.
Professor Nolan will give a pre launch review of the Westmeath volume as well as reflecting on the rationale for the county series since the initial publication in the mid 80’s.
The Westmeath publication has been supported by the County Council Creative Ireland, Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society and the Old Athlone Society
The lecture will be on line on Wednesday next 15 December at 8pm on the zoom platform

How we can use maps to construct a visual image of past landscapes and cultures by Dr Paul Gosling
2021-11-03 20:00 - 21:30 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“How we can use maps to construct a visual image of past landscapes and cultures”
by Dr Paul Gosling
On wednesday 3rd November 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Our final lecture will be delivered by Dr Paul Gosling on 3 November. Paul has contributed a very comprehensive article to the forthcoming Westmeath History and Society Series on the medieval history of Mullingar. Many will also remember his excellent tour of medieval Mullingar conducted as part of Heritage week during the summer. His talk will focus on how we can use maps to construct a visual image of past landscapes and cultures again with the focus on Westmeath.

How the historian might use the work of poets and writers to reveal what life was like here in times past by Dr Mary Shine Thompson
2021-10-20 20:00 - 21:30 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“How the historian might use the work of poets and writers to reveal what life was like here in times past”
by Dr Mary Shine Thompson
On wednesday 20th October 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Dr Mary Shine Thompson examines how the historian might use the work of poets and writers to reveal what life was like here in times past. The works of writers such as Brinsley Mc Namara, James Joyce John Broderick Dean Swift, Oliver Goldsmith and many others who lived a and keenly observed the local customs and practices will be analysed in what promises to be a fascinating insight into a neglected source for local history.

Sources available to to those interested in the land question in Ireland by Dr Eugene Dunne
2021-10-13 20:00 - 21:30 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Sources available to to those interested in the land question in Ireland”
by Dr Eugene Dunne
On wednesday 13th October 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
local historian Dr Eugene Dunne will look at the sources available to to those interested in the land question in Ireland again with a focus on the Westmeath story particularly during the nineteenth century. Dr Dunne has completed his PhD research on this topic so he has a deep interest and competency in the land question.

Sources the local historian can explore and utilise from the internet by Sylvia Turner
2021-10-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Sources the local historian can explore and utilise from the internet”
by Sylvia Turner
On wednesday 6th October 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Dr Sylvia Turner who has carried out extensive research in Ireland and has a special interest in family history. Her lecture will explore the sources the local historian can explore and utilise from the internet. This is especially pertinent in the present pandemic circumstances we find ourselves in.

Heritage week tour of medieval origins of Mullingar by Dr Paul Gosling
2021-08-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Mullingar Town, Mullinger, Westmeath, Ireland
Heritage Week: Medieval origins of Mullingar- tour by Dr Paul Gosling
As part of Heritage Week Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are organizing a tour of the medieval origins of Mullingar by well known archaeologist Dr Paul Gosling.
Paul has a long-standing interest in the topography of medieval towns including Mullingar and his latest research on the early development of the town will appear in the forthcoming Westmeath History and Society publication.
He will examine the monastic settlements which predated the arrival of the Normans. His research on Sunday’s Well and the surrounding topography is particularly interesting
The tour starts at 3pm on Saturday next 21st of August and lasts until 4.30pm.
Because of covid restrictions registration is required
Anyone interested can register and get further details…
by email from obriains@gmail.com
by phoning 0872658138.

Remembering Civil War: The Ernie O'Malley Notebooks by Dr Eve Morrison
2021-05-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
Remembering Civil War: The Ernie O’Malley Notebooks
A Lecture by Dr Eve Morrision
Dr Eve Morrison has completed extensive research into the life and times of War of Independence veteran Ernie O Malley.
Ernie O’Malley
Dr Eve Morrison specialises in personal testimony and legacy interviews with veterans of the Irish independence struggle and civil war (1916-1923). Both her PHD (Trinity College Dublin) and post-doctoral fellowship (University College Dublin) were funded by the Irish Research Council. She took up the Canon Murray Fellowship in Irish History at the University of Oxford in October 2018.
History Society Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are again hosting an on line lecture series on the War of Independence with special focus on the local impact of this defining moment in our history.
On wednesday 5th May 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Dept of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht sport media sponsor Westmeath Archaelogical and Histroical Society
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture

Lecture by Prof. Marie Coleman
2021-04-28 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Troblus, Truce Treaty” A Lecture by Castlepollard Native
Prof. Marie Coleman
Reflecting on the role of women in the struggle for independence and on how the events of 100 years ago can be appropriately commemorated today.
History Society Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are again hosting an on line lecture series on the War of Independence with special focus on the local impact of this defining moment in our history.
On wednesday 28th April 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Dept of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht sport media sponsor Westmeath Archaelogical and Histroical Society
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture

Lecture by Dr Ian Kenneally
2021-04-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
A Lecture by Athlone Based Historian
Dr Ian Kenneally
“The Fate of the Landlord Class in County Westmeath”
History Society Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are again hosting an on line lecture series on the War of Independence with special focus on the local impact of this defining moment in our history.
In our second lecture, , Dr Ian Kenneally an Athlone based historian with several books to his credit will look at the fate of the landlord class in the county with a special case study of the burning of Moydrum Castle in Athlone and the wider ramifications of this event.
Summary
The talk will cover the final months of the War of Independence, with a particular focus on the burning of Moydrum Castle. The path leading to building’s destruction was a circuitous one and it highlights the pattern of warfare in Westmeath at that time. The talk will include related events such as the capture by the Crown forces of Seán MacEoin and the shooting dead of Brigadier-General Thomas Stanton Lambert by the IRA. It will describe how the castle was chosen for destruction, discuss those who took part in the attack, and offer some context on the wider topic.
On wednesday 21st April 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Dept of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht sport media sponsor Westmeath Archaelogical and Histroical Society
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
BIO – Dr Ian Kenneally
Ian is an author, historian and documentary maker. His publications include ‘The Paper Wall: Newspapers and Propaganda in Ireland, 1919-1921’, ‘From the Earth, a Cry: The Story of John Boyle O’Reilly’, and ‘Courage and Conflict: Forgotten Stories of the Irish at war’. Recently, an American film production company purchased the movie rights to his work on John Boyle O’Reilly. Ian was a contributor to, and then editor of, the very popular weekly series, The Revolution Papers, which sold over 1.5 million copies during its run from 2016-2018. He has contributed articles to numerous newspapers and magazines and has also contributed chapters to a variety of books including the ‘Atlas of the Irish Revolution’. He has researched and scripted documentaries, which have been broadcast on stations such as Midlands 103 and also provided research and screen contributions to television documentaries on BBC and TG4. He was Historian in Residence for County Westmeath in 1920 and will return to that role during August-December 2021.

Mullingar in 1921 by Historian Ruth Illingworth
2021-04-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
A Lecture by Local Historian
Ruth Illingworth
History Society Decade of Centenaries Lecture Series Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society are again hosting an on line lecture series on the War of Independence with special focus on the local impact of this defining moment in our history.
In our first lecture, well known local historian Ruth Illingworth will talk about Mullingar in 1921 with particular attention to social and political developments in the town.
On wednesday 14th April 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Dept of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht sport media sponsor Westmeath Archaelogical and Histroical Society
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture

Lecture by Archaeologist Colm Flynn
2021-02-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
A Lecture by Archaeologist
Mr Colm Flynn
On wednesday 17th February 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Our final speaker in this series is archaeologist Colm Flynn who excavated a Bronze Age burial chamber during works on realigning the N52 at Tevrin close to Delvin.
The excavations on the Cist grave took place in August 2019 and reveal clues about life in this area during the Bronze Age.

Lecture by French Historian Dr Amelia Dochy
2021-02-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
Lecture by French Historian
Dr Amelia Dochy
On wednesday 10th February 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Our second lecture on February 10th will be given by French historian Dr Amelia Dochy who completed her PhD on the famous Scottish painter Erskine Nicol who spent considerable time in Westmeath during the 1860’s and completed some famous depictions of people and places here during this disturbed period when the infamous Westmeath Act was passed to suppress outrages linked to agrarian unrest. Nicol had an artist’s studio at Clonave Island in Lough Derravaragh.

The Dead of the Irish Revolution by Professor Eunan O'Halpin
2021-02-03 20:00 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
A lecture on The Dead of the Irish Revolution
by Prof Eunan O’Halpin TCD
On wednesday 3rd February 2021 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Prof O Halpin has just published the widely acclaimed The Dead of the Irish Revolution which is the first comprehensive account to record and analyse all deaths arising from the Irish Revolution.
The book is a must read for anyone interested in this defining moment in our history and Prof O’Halpin will look at the major events which occurred in the midlands during this struggle.

Book Launch: The Burning Tower by Author Patrick Casey
2020-12-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
Book Launch “The Burning Tower”
by Author Patrick J Casey
On wednesday 16th December 2020 at 7.30pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
This is an Exciting New Book on local landlord Sir Francis Hopkins
A very interesting addition to the history of the Westmeath landlord class has just been published by Patrick J Casey who also has interesting local connections. His father was born in Friarstown, Dalystown and worked in the Land Commission in Mullingar during the 1950’s.
It was while dividing up the Tudenham estate that he by chance discvered a diary belonging to a previous owner of Tudenham, Sir Francis Hopkins.
He passed on the diary to his son Patrick who is a history graduate of UCD and thus began a life long study of Sir Francis which has now resulted in this splendid publication called The Burning Tower, The life and times of Sir Francis Hopkis Bart. (1813-1860) Westmeath Landlord Socialite, Traveller and Romantic.
Sir Francis is well known locally because of the attempted on his own doorstep at Tudenham, in 1845.The subsequent trial and execution of Bryan Seery aroused huge controversy both locally and nationally as Seery vehemently denied any asociation with the murder attempt.
The book goes into great detail on this defining moment in Mullingar politics during th eGreat Famine. Subsequent to the aasination attempt, Hopkins travelled extensively to Persia Egypt and India.
He kept a detailed diary during these sojourns and they provide a very interesting insight into life in these countries in the nineteenth century.
Patrick is a member of the Military History Society and has published a very well received book on Irish doctors in World War 1.
His book on Hopkins fills an important vacuum in local history and is very well researched and illustrated. It is available from Just Books in Pearse Street Mullingar.

Gretta Connell Guides through researching your family tree with the focus on local sources
2020-11-25 20:00 - 21:30 | Online at ZOOM
Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society Presents
“Guides through researching your family tree with the focus on local sources”
by Librarian / Author Gretta Connell

On wednesday 25th November 2020 at 8pm
This is an online event available on Zoom – see link below
Supported by Creative Ireland & Westmeath County Council
Click Link:- Zoom Online Lecture
Our final lecture takes place on Wednesday November 25th 2020
The speaker is well known librarian and author of the reference source of exploring your family history in Westmeath-Tracing your Westmeath Ancestors-Gretta Connell.
Gretta will guide the participants through researching their family tree with the focus on local sources.
