Category: Lectures Current Series

The collapse of the Tuam Bank, 1803-1814, is the subject of our Society’s next lecture which takes place in the Harbour Hotel, Galway, on Monday 7th October at 8 pm. The lecturer is Irene McGoldrick On 27 June 1814, Lord ffrench’s Bank of Tuam (picture shows bank premises in Bishop Street) and Dublin, unable to meet its obligations to pay the demands of three bank ‘runners’, closed its doors detaining the three runners inside. This caused considerable alarm, resulting in a ‘run’ on other private banks. Despite the valiant efforts of Lord ffrench to avoid a Commission of Bankruptcy his tragic and untimely death sounded the death knell for the bank, which was found bankrupt by trial in January 1815. This talk will present the history of the bank, both prior to and subsequent to its failure. It will consider the factors which led to its demise, and shed light on the personalities involved. Speaker Irene McGoldrick is a recent MA History graduate of the University of Galway. Currently chair of the Annaghdown Heritage Society, she has been involved in local history and genealogical research for many years.… Read the rest
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On Culture Night, Friday 20th September, the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society presents in the Mick Lally Theatre a history-inspired visual art installation by award-winning artist and theatre designer Dolores Lyne. ‘To the Letter: Liam Lynch’ will feature an exhibition of artworks in a theatrical setting, with a guided talk by the artist. The artworks go behind the scenes, telling the story of the artist’s grand-uncle, Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the IRA during the Civil War, drawn from a trove of letters written as a young man in combat and on the run – close shaves and dramatic escapes, incidents and narratives from the War of Independence, the Civil War and its aftermath. The letters are brought to life recreating the remote safe houses where they were written, emphasising the landscapes and memories of the hill communities and the story of rural resistance. The artworks are large canvases, which fold out into a pictorial evocation of a poignant history. Included in the exhibit is an original dispatch bicycle used in action at the time. On the night Dolores will tell the story and explain her creative response as an artist. The exhibition is open for viewing in the… Read the rest
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