Cavan and the American Civil War: two days of lectures

Cavan Libraries will be commemorating the American Civil War in August.

The event will be held at Johnston Central Library, Farnham Centre, Farnham Street, Cavan, on Wednesday 5 August and Thursday 6 August, and will include the following selection of lectures:

• Keynote Lecture presented by Dr Patrick Fitzgerald from the The Mellon Centre for Migration Studies in Omagh.
  
• Causes and issues of the Civil War, with Ian Kenneally
  
• The Irish in the American Civil War, with Damian Shiels*
  
• Famous battles, including Gettysburg and Fredericksburg, with Dr David Murphy
  
• Civil War photographer Matthew Brady (reputed to be Cavan born), with Aidan O'Hara
  
• Cavan people in the Civil War, with Dr Brendan Scott
  
• ‘Fighting Irish’, with Matthew Gilsenan (Celtic Tenors) and Dr Myles Dungan

The programme, which is not yet finalised, will include musical entertainment. Save the dates or find out more from Johnston Central Library on +353 (0)49 4378500.


* Last weekend, I attended the Irish Genealogical Research Society's Open Day in London where Damian was presenting a lecture about the Irish in the Civil War. It was absolutely fascinating, from a historical perspective as much as from a genealogical perspective. Any researcher with a missing ancestral link from the mid-19th century will find Damian's presentation opens up a completely fresh avenue of exploration. I heartily recommend it. Don't miss it.