Federation Seminar 2025

We were delighted that we secured Cora Crampton as our guest speaker for the 2025 Seminar and AGM in KIlcullen Heritage Centre on Saturday 18th October. Cora delivered her prize-winning essay on Daniel O’Connell’s famous Monster Meeting at the Rath of Mullaghmast in 1843. This was a particularly appropriate topic as 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of ‘The Liberator’. 

We also had a presentation about Larry Stanley, Kildare’s famous Olympian, Gaelic footballer and all-round sportsman, by John Lawler of the Caragh History Group.

The event was also attended by our new County Heritage Officer, Dara Wyer, and this provided an ideal opportunity to meet him.

We had contributions from the representatives of member groups who provided highlights of their group’s activities throughout the year – giving an insight into the vibrant local history community in Co. Kildare and the wide variety of events and actions by member groups.

The out going committee was returned unanimously as follows:

FEDERATION COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Honorary President: Paddy Behan
(Naas Local History Group)

Chairperson: Brian McCabe
(Kill History Group)

Secretary: Nuala Walker
(Celbridge Historical Society)

PRO: Liam Kenny
(Naas Local History Group)

Treasurer: Ger McCarthy
(Naas Local History Group)

Webmaster: Seán Sourke

FEDERATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Bob Nugent
(Newbridge Local History Group)

Clem Roche
(Athy Local History Group)

Michael Donovan
(Athy Local History Group)

James Durney
(Naas Local History Group)

The programme was as follows:

9.30: Registration

10.00: Guest speaker- “Remember Mullaghmast: the past, nationalism and the south Kildare Monster Meeting” by Cora Crampton [Winner of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society’s Lord Walter Fitzgerald Prize Essay]

11.00: Tea Break

11.30: Presentation on Larry Stanley, Kildare Olympian and all-time great sportsman,  by John Lawlor (Caragh History Group)

12.30: Federation Member Group reports and Annual General Meeting

Gallery of images from the 2025 AGM & Seminar
Many thanks, as always, to Tony Keane for his images and captions!

Bob Nugent, and Pat Byrne Newbridge History Group, at the Kildare Federation of Local History Groups Seminar and AGM 2025 on Saturday October 18, in the Heritage Centre, Kilcullen.
Co. Kildare Heritage Officer Dara Wyer, Denis Conlan of Celbridge Heritage and Tourism Forum, and Raphael Ryan of Newbridge History Group.
Ger McCarty of Naas Local History Group with Nuala Walker and Penny Woods of Celbridge History Group.
John McGuirke, Cut Bush Local History, and Ann O’Reilly of West Wicklow Historical Society
Michael Phelan, Kathleen Phelan, Castledermot Local history Group.
Larry Fullam of Rathangan Loccal History Group, Denis Dennihy of Allen Local History Group.
Local Historian and writer Liam Kenny with Michael Donovan and Clem Roche of Athy Local History Group.
Mary Coyle, Kill Village Local History Group, Mary Brennan, Leixlip Local History Group.
Mary Weld (left) and Margaret Brereton (right) of Mochua Local History Group, with Mario Corrigan of Cill Dara Local History Group.
Federation President Paddy Behan, guest speakers John Lawlor of Caragh History Group and Cora Crampton of West Wicklow Historical Society with Federation Chairman Brian McCabe at the Kildare Federation of Local History Groups Seminar and AGM 2025 on Saturday October 18, in the Heritage Centre, Kilcullen.
Pat Lawlor, Catherine O’Sullivan, Martin Condon, John Lawlor, Caragh History Group.