The festival will run from 26th September until 16th October, with more than 130 free events offering something for everyone.
Why were women prevented from playing a role in the Irish Civil War and forced to return to the home? Are the
Celts a misnomer, if the word for Celts first appeared in Greek and applied to aliens or barbarians? Was there a
conspiracy that prevented the re-election of Dublin’s first female Councillor? What intrigue surrounds the story
of Muhammad Ali’s fight in Croke Park 50 years ago? These questions, and many more, will be explored and
discussed at this year’s Dublin Festival of History, set to take place from Monday, 26th September to Sunday, 16th
October. The festival, an initiative of Dublin City Council, was officially launched at DIAS Dunsink Observatory by
the Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy.
Dublin Festival of History, organised by Dublin City Libraries in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture
Company, and now in its tenth year, will be mostly in-person, with many hybrid and some online events, too. It
will play host to an international and Irish line-up of speakers, as well as walks, tours and exhibitions. Special
events for children are also set to take place across a number of Dublin City Libraries’ locations. Three weeks of
more than 130 free-to-attend events will be held across 71 venues, offering something for everyone.
The festival will shine a light and fresh perspectives on topics such as the centenary of the Irish Civil War,
trailblazing female figures, including Dublin’s first female Councillor and Lord Mayor, and queer activism in 1970s
and 1980s Ireland.
Speaking at the festival launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, said: “I’m delighted to officially launch this year’s Dublin Festival of History, which animates the city’s venues and libraries with so many exciting and stimulating events over three whole weeks. The festival offers everyone an opportunity to explore the capital’s rich history, not only through a local lens, but at a national and international level, too.
“It’s wonderful to see such a wide-ranging and diverse programme line-up and there are two events that I am particularly excited about, dedicated to trailblazing women. One is a lecture on the life of the first female Lord Mayor of Dublin, Kathleen Clarke, and I am also very proud that the Oak Room in the Mansion House will be hosting a talk on the life of Sarah Cecilia Harrison, who was the first woman to be elected as a Dublin City Councillor.”
Also commenting was Dublin City Librarian Mairead Owens, who said, “With a thought-provoking and richly diverse programme of events, the Festival is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in history. We are all delighted to be returning to in-person events, but I know that online events make the Festival even more accessible to audiences in Dublin and further afield. So, I am pleased to say that many events, including those in the Big Weekend, will be live-streamed.
“I welcome our new and existing event partners who broaden the scope of the festival and, with our network of libraries around the city, ensure the widest possible public engagement with history across the capital. I want to particularly acknowledge the work of the Council’s Historians-in-Residence and the Children’s Historian, who do so much all year round to bring history to your doorstep.”
Iseult Byrne, CEO of Dublin City Council Culture Company, commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with Dublin City Libraries to present the Dublin Festival of History. The work of the Culture Company is all about bringing people together for more ways to discover, engage with and enjoy the cultural stories and spaces in the city and I am delighted to invite you all to enjoy this year’s Festival which is full of those opportunities. There really is something for everyone in the festival programme, we look forward to welcoming you online and in person across the city over the three weeks of the Festival.”
The full programme of events is available online at www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie
The Dublin Festival of History partner organisations are: 14 Henrietta Street, Acadamh na Lianna, Central Bank of Ireland Archives, Chester Beatty, Culture Connects @ Richmond Barracks, Digital Repository of Ireland, Dublin Decoded, Dublinia, Dublin City Arts Office, Dublin City Council, Dublin City Council Culture Company, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), Dublin Port Company, Fingal Festival of History, Fingal Libraries, Friends of Medieval Dublin, GAA Museum Croke Park, Glasnevin Cemetery, GPO Museum, Holocaust Education Ireland, Hugh Lane Gallery, Industrial Heritage Association on Ireland, Irish Research Council, Na Píobairí Uileann National Archives, National Library of Ireland, National University of Ireland, OPW, Rathfarnham Castle, Royal Irish Academy, South Dublin County Council, The LAB, The Little Museum of Dublin, The Old Dublin Society, The Pearse Museum.
Posted 30 August 2022
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