Balbriggan & District Historical Society

Previous & Upcoming Talks

, , , ,

March Talk: ‘Stained glass highlights in Balbriggan and other locations in north County Dublin’ from David Caron

‘Stained glass highlights in Balbriggan and other locations in north County Dublin' from David Caron, Wednesday March 25th 8pm Bracken Court Hotel Adm €5, Members free Welcome to a new year with Balbriggan & District Historical Society…
,

READ ALL ABOUT IT. The Taylors, Temperance Pledges and Terrier Racing. Balbriggan and District News Reports 1779-1979

Sunday October 13, 2024 at 2pm To book your place email eventardgillan@fingal.ie Were you ever curious to discover what the rest of the world heard and read about Balbriggan in the years gone by? Join us for this fascinating talk where you…
October Talk: ‘History of O’Dwyers GAA – Pauline O’Hare
, , ,

October Talk: ‘History of O’Dwyers GAA – Pauline O’Hare

We are delighted to be able to reschedule our postponed September talk on the History of O'Dwyers by Pauline O'Hare to this month on the 30th October. Balbriggan & District Historical Society are delighted to welcome Pauline O'Hare…
, , ,

August Talk: Balbriggan and District News in the National and International press’ Speaker Cora McDonagh

Speaker Cora McDonagh Title: 'Read all about it: Parades, Perambulations and Pigeons.’ Balbriggan and District News in the National and International press 1779 to 1979 August 28th, 8pm Bracken Court Hotel Were you ever curious to discover…
, ,

May Talk: 800 years of the Barnewall family (inc Bremore Castle) – Aidan Arnold

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presents '800 years of the Barnewall family ( with particular emphasis on their association with Bremore Castle) May 29th at 8pm Bracken Court Hotel. €5 Members free. The story of Barnewalls…
, ,

May 1st Talk : A Balbriggan Tragedy, 1930- Jim Walsh

Title: A Balbriggan Tragedy, 1930, Speaker: Jim Walsh Thanks to our own Jim Walsh for a really interesting and moving talk on A Balbriggan Tragedy - the Bolingbroke children earlier this month. The huge crowd was a reflection of Jim's standing…
, , , ,

March Talk:To Declare a Republic: The life of Liam Lynch, IRA Chief of Staff, 1892-1923- Gerard Shannon

Balbriggan & District Historical Society is looking forward to a new year of activities and we would be delighted if you can join us. For our first talk on March 27th at 8pm in the Bracken Court Hotel we welcome Skerries native Gerard…
, , ,

October Talk: ‘World War 1 – the Irish Context’ – Eithne MacDermott

Join us next week for our Historical Society Talk on October 25th at 8pm in the Bracken Court Hotel when we will be focusing on World War 1. We are delighted to present short talks by students of Loreto Secondary School each focusing on the…
, ,

September Talk: ‘Balbriggan Stockings, Old Masters and the Bells of Howth: North County Dublin contributions to the 19th century Art & Industry Exhibitions.’ Cora McDonagh

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presents Cora Mc Donagh’s talk on ‘Balbriggan Stockings, Old Masters and the Bells of Howth: North County Dublin contributions to the nineteenth century Art & Industry Exhibitions.’   27th…

August Talk: The rise & fall of John Spicer’s model bakery & shop Balbriggan (1904-1999): an overview of parts 1 & 2′ – Frank Whearity

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presents Frank Whearity-The rise & fall of John Spicer's model bakery & shop Balbriggan (1904-1999): an overview of parts 1 & 2' August 30th 8pm Bracken Court Hotel Admission…
, , ,

Dublin to Drogheda Railway

On June 24th at 2pm we have an interesting talk by Renowned Author Rail Historian Jonathan Beaumont titled 'The Dublin to Drogheda Railway' in an exciting new venue for us, the beautiful setting of  Ardgillan Castle. You could combine…
, , ,

May Talk: ‘Balscadden Past and Present’ – Jim Walsh

Wednesday May 31st at 8pm, Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan & District Historical Society presents our own Jim Walsh with a talk titled 'Balscadden Past and Present' Jim Walsh has been a constant presence in Balbriggan & District Historical…
, , ,

April Talk: ‘TITANIC – Search, Discovery and Diving to the world’s most famous shipwreck – Rory Golden

For our talk on April 26th in the Bracken Court Hotel we were delighted to have a very special visiting speaker of note, Rory Golden, Diver, Speaker, Explorer with a talk titled ‘TITANIC - Search, Discovery and Diving to the world’s most…
, ,

March Talk: The Story of Cricket in Fingal – James Bennett

Balbriggan and District Historical Society were delighted to welcome you to another year of activities from the Society with our first talk on Wednesday March 29th in the Bracken Court Hotel. We were delighted to welcome Jim Bennett for a talk…
, , ,

October Talk: Celebrating 75 years of Balbriggan Dramatic Society – Grainne Maguire

Our October talk was by Grainne Maguire titled  'Celebrating 75 years of Balbriggan Dramatic Society ' in the Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan Wednesday October 26th. Grainne spoke about the fascinating history of Balbriggan Dramatic…

September Talk: Policing Ireland in 1922 – Jim Herlihy

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presented our September talk by Jim Herlihy titled  'Policing Ireland in 1922' in the Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan Wednesday September 28th. 2022 marks the centenary of  An Garda Síochána…
, , ,

August Talk: Genealogy & Balbriggan – how to trace your own family– Colm Timmins

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presented our August talk by Colm Timmins on Genealogy and Balbriggan - how to trace your own family Wednesday August 24th Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan. Colm is a long time member of our Society…
, , ,

May Talk: The Building of Balbriggan Harbour – Rory McKenna

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presented The Building of Balbriggan Harbour by Rory McKenna, Wednesday May 25th Bracken Court Hotel. With all the changes taking place at the Harbour these days it was appropriate to look back at…
, ,

April Talk: Frank Lawless, 1870-1922: Fingal’s Revolutionary Politician – Declan Brady

We enjoyed an excellent presentation from Declan Brady on Frank Lawless, 1870-1922: Fingal's Revolutionary Politician. We were delighted to see such a big crowd and welcome back some of our friends for the first time since 2019. It was particularly…
Talks Archive 2019

Talks Archive 2019

Talks Archive 2018

Talks Archive 2018

, , ,

March Talk: Irish National Foresters – St Molaga Branch, No.315 (Balbriggan) 1897-1942 – Jim Walsh

Balbriggan and District Historical Society back live After a difficult two years Balbriggan & District Historical Society were delighted to welcome back old friends to an in-person talk in the Bracken Court Hotel on Wednesday March…
, ,

Balbriggan & District Historical Society’s October 2021 Zoom talk

Balbriggan & District Historical Society presented: “Voters and politicians - elections and local government in North Dublin during the lifetime of the Rural Balrothery District Council, 1898-1930." By Declan Brady via Zoom at 8pm on…
, ,

“From the Liffey to The Boyne” Songs and Lore from Fingal and East Meath

 Speaker: David O'Connor Time and Date: Wednesday May 26th 8pm via ZoomBalbriggan & District Historical Society were delighted to present our first talk via Zoom.  For this we welcomed back a fond friend of the Society…
, , ,

Sack of Balbriggan Commemorative Seminar

The Sack of Balbriggan Commemorative Seminar, featuring six speakers giving a broad perspective on the events of September, 20 1920 and also including a new digital version of a video from 1992 of three eyewitness accounts of this tragic…
, ,

Sack of Balbriggan Commemoration Lecture

                  Balbriggan & District Historical Society have embraced technology to present their Heritage Week talk on The Sack of Balbriggan 1920 by local historian Jim Walsh via Youtube. Jim a retired Librarian and founding…
,

October Talk: Clann na Poblachta & the Interparty Government Speaker: Eithne MacDermott

"A brief overview of Clann na Poblachta, and the Inter-Party Government 1948-51" by Eithne MacDermott.  This also featured talks by Loreto Secordary School Students on various aspects of the Sack of Balbriggan, including newspaper articles…

September Talk: The Foreshore dispute Speaker: Rory McKenna

We would like to thank Rory McKenna for his really interesting talk this evening on the Balbriggan Foreshore Dispute 1874-76. Rory gave a great insight into the Hamilton Family particularly George Alexander and his widow Amelia Fancourt and…
, ,

August Talk: Creating a Counter-State: Establishing and Building Dáil Éireann

Title: Creating a Counter-State: Establishing and Building Dáil Éireann. Speaker:  Dr. Will Murphy  Wednesday August 28, Town Hall, Balbriggan at 8.00pm Admission €5, Members free This talk will examine the establishment of Dáil…
,

April Talk: Ardgillan Castle Revealed Speaker: Aidan J Herron

Ardgillan Castle Revealed by Aidan J Herron. Wednesday April 24th 8pm, Town Hall Balbriggan Adm: €5, members free On Wednesday April 24th Balbriggan and District Historical Society  presented a talk in  the Town Hall Balbriggan at 8pm …
, , , ,

Quiz Night April 4th Milestone Inn Balbriggan

Balbriggan & District Historical Society will be hosting a Quiz Night upstairs in the Milestone Inn on Thursday the 4th of April. Come along and test your wits against your neighbours and friends - and have a good night out. Who knows -…
, , ,

March Talk: The Wonderful Work of Séamus Ennis as a Folk-Music Collector Speaker: Seán Corcoran

The Wonderful Work of Séamus Ennis as a Folk-Music Collector - An illustrated lecture by Seán Corcoran. Wednesday March 27th 8pm, Town Hall Balbriggan Adm: €5, members free Our first talk for 2019 will took place on Wednesday March…
,

October Talk: The Schools’ Collection 1937-39 Speaker: Anne Collins

Our October talk took place on Wednesday 24th and showcased the Local History Projects done by the students in Loreto Secondary School on the theme of the Sack of Balbriggan. Then our own Anne Collins shared some of the jewels of information…
, ,

September Talk: The Sinking of the Leinster – Speaker Cormac F Lowth

Our September talk "The Sinking of The Leinster - an Illustrated Lecture" was presented by Cormac F. Lowth on Wednesday September 26th in the Town Hall Balbriggan at 8pm. 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of a great disaster which…
, ,

August Talk: The General Election of 1918 in North Dublin – Speaker Íde Ní Liathain

Our August talk "The General Election of 1918 in North Dublin" was presented by Íde Ní Liathain on Wednesday August 29th in the Town Hall Balbriggan at 8pm. The talk looked at events leading up to the general election in December 1918,…
,

April Talk: History of Man O’War and the Turk’s Head Speaker: Jim Walsh

History of Man O'War and The Turk's Head Speaker Jim Walsh Wednesday April 25th 8pm Town Hall, Balbriggan Jim Walsh needs no introduction and we are delighted to welcome him as our April speaker for a talk on the History of Man O'War…
,

March Talk: Experiences of a French Emigrant family in Ireland – Speaker Paul Bosonnet

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…
,

Welcome to 2018 with Balbriggan & District Historical Society

Welcome to 2018 with Balbriggan & District Historical Society. We are currently putting together our programme of events for 2018 and we will be sharing those on the website as soon as possible. Check back with us over the next few weeks.…
Talks Archive 2017

Talks Archive 2017

Talks Archive 2016

Talks Archive 2016

Talks Archive 2015

Talks Archive 2015

Talks Archive 2014

Talks Archive 2014

Talks Archive 2013

Talks Archive 2013

,

October Talk: More Old Memories of Balbriggan – Speaker May Mckeon

A huge and enthusiastic crowd attended Balbriggan and District Historical Society's October talk featuring May McKeon and also students from Loreto Secondary School. Former County Councillor May, a longtime member of the Society and current…
david_noolin_talk_Balbriggan_Historical_Society

September Talk: The Fenian Invasion of Canada – Speaker Dr. David Doolin

In this talk by Dr David Doolin from neighbouring Lusk he shared his in depth knowledge of the Fenian Brotherhood in America and the meticulous planning of the invasions of Canada in 1866 and American British relations at the time. There were…
Sack_of_Balbriggan

Local History Research Skills Seminar on The Sack of Balbriggan

In 2020 the Centenary of the Sack of Balbriggan will take place and Balbriggan & District Historical Society are planning a series of events in the lead up to this. We would like to see further research done on this topic in the next…

August Talk: Women of the Revolutionary Years – Speaker Sinead McCoole

For our August talk we were delighted to have such an interesting topic from this excellent speaker. Sinead McCoole is a well known historian who has written extensively in the area of modern Irish History with a focus on the role of women,…

May talk: Ireland and The Russian Revolution Lost Opportunities or Lost Illusions – Speaker Padraig Yeates

2017 marks the 100 anniversary of the Russian Revolution so it was appropriate that we marked this with a talk in our schedule. It is always interesting to look at world events in an Irish context and our talk  also focussed on Irish labour…

April Talk: ‘Thomas Ashe – The Revolutionary Teacher’ – Speaker Brian Arnold

Our April talk was about a figure many are more familiar with after the 1916 Commemorations in Fingal last year as he was the leader of the Fingal Brigade, whose success at the Battle of Ashbourne was one of the few in 1916. But there was much…