Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Maritime history talks continue with pirates, ooh arhh

Pirates of the Irish Seas may not have hit the big time like Johnny Depp and his mates from the Caribbean, but their lives were none the less fascinating, as will be revealed in the next talk of the 'Below the Surface' series of Maritime Lectures on Wednesday 6 February.

The lecture Piracy and Predation in early 17th century Ireland, will be presented by underwater archaeologist Connie Kelleher, and tells the story of a society of ruthless privateers operating along the Dublin and Southwest coasts of Ireland during the 17th Century. Connie has uncovered a community linked to the legendary buccaneers of Cornwall and Devon who moved to Ireland during the reign of James I and reveals a self-governing society with their own code of honour and hierarchy, and a status for prostitutes unparalleled outside the pirate world.

This is the fourth talk of the Below the Surface lectures, which are held on board the Jeannie Johnston tall ship and famine museum on Custom House Quay, Dublin 1. Doors open at 7:15pm and tickets cost €15. For bookings and to find out about the lecture series, see the Jeannie Johnston website.