Month: March 2018

Title: Exeriences of a French Emigrant family in Ireland

Speaker: Paul Bosonnet

Date: Wednesday March 28th 8pm

Venue: Town Hall Balbriggan

Our first talk of 2018 is “Experiences of a French Emigrant family in Ireland” by Paul Bosonnet and takes place on Wednesday next the 28th at 8pm in the Town Hall Balbriggan.
All the Bosonnets in Ireland are descended from one Ancestor, Jean Bosonnet (1791-1866) BA Professor of Languages, who arrived in Dublin with his wife and daughter in the mid 1830s. They left Taninges, France to escape persecution and settled initially in Dundalk and later in Dublin in the East Wall area. There were also a number of prominent persons living in the immediate areas associated with the family during this period – Sean O Casey, James Joyce, Canon Hall and Matt Talbot. This talk, as well as telling the family’s story, will give an insight into life in Ireland in the mid to late 19th century. Paul Bosonnet is a retired engineer who has carried out extensive research into the family in both Dublin and Dundalk liaising with the local archivist in Dundalk He is in touch with the family in Taninges and has conducted research with a local historian there. Jean Bosonnet was Paul’s great great grandfather, and the Bosonnet Family from Balbriggan are also connected.

Quiz Night Thursday April 12th Milestone Inn

Do you fancy testing your extensive knowledge of people and places or facts and figures? Or just fancy a fun night out? Come along to our Quiz on Thursday April 12th at 8pm upstairs in The Milestone Inn. Who knows it might result in an historic victory – if only in the raffle! First round starting at 8.30 sharp, €10 per person, teams of 4 and don’t worry if you don’t have a team we can arrange this on the night. Our quiz last year was a great night so don’t miss it.

If you would like to join our society it costs €15 per annum, €10 Students and OAP’s, €20 for a family This entitles you to free entrance to our 6 talks per year , usually the last Wednesday in the months – March. April. May, August, September and October, but you are welcome to attend individual talks for €5. We also have a summer day trip as well as historical walks and other events.

Dates for your diary: For our April 25th talk we have our well known member Jim Walsh speaking on the Turks Head and Man O’War. We will confirm details of our May talk later. On August 29th our newest committee member Íde Ní Liathain, from Balbriggan Library, will speak about the 1918 Election. The Sack of Balbriggan in 1920 was a huge event in the history of the town and as we approach the centenary in 2020 we will be including this topic in our schedule each year. On September 26th Jim Walsh will give us a talk where he will share some of his latest research on the topic.