FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES
AGM
CARLOW – CO CARLOW
FRIDAY, 6TH OCT – SUNDAY, 8TH OCT 2023
This year we will hold our AGM in Carlow, Co. Carlow. We had planned to honour the local society’s 75th anniversary in 2021 but Covid intervened. It will be the first occasion the Federation has held the event in Co. Carlow and we are looking forward to what promises to be a very special weekend for local historians.
The Carlow Archaeological & Historical Society (until 2001 known as The Old Carlow Society, formed in 1946), will be our hosts and we extend a sincere word of thanks to them for the kind invitation and for all the hard work in organising the event. Particular thanks to Padraig Dooley and Pat O’Neill for their huge contribution in making it all possible.
Carlow town strategically positioned at the meeting point of the Barrow and Burrin is a town steeped in history. Its spiritual and ecclesiastical heritage is without equal and the County boasts many sites of national importance including the Monastic site at St Mullin, the Romanesque Doorway at Killeshin, the Medieval Cathedral of Old Leighlin, the 19th Century Cathedral in Carlow and the exquisite Memorial Church at Myshall. The county is a treasure trove of wonderful gardens featuring nineteen different garden attractions and includes many interesting towns.
Sitting squarely within Ireland’s Ancient East and with a history stretching back thousands of years it offers endless opportunities for the visitor. Please note: Attendance at the AGM is free so all are welcome but registration is required on the day.
PROGRAMME
FRIDAY, 6TH OCTOBER, 2023
19:00 Opening by Mairead Byrne, Chairperson, Federation of Local History Societies
Welcome from the Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Andrea Dalton
Welcome from host society, Richard Codd, President, Carlow Historical & Archaeological
Society
19:30 Dinner followed by a talk by Dr Katherina Becker, Excavating Bronze Age Worlds – Rathgall Hillfort, Co Wicklow, based on her forthcoming book detailing the early 1970s excavations by the late Barry Rafferty and his team of Rathgall Hillfort (also known as Ring of the Rath). Excavations yielded numerous artefacts including ceramic vessels, pot sherds and glass beads, which point to the middle to late Bronze Age activity. A number of gold items have been found at the site also, as well as a burial site.
SATURDAY, 7TH OCOTBER, 2023
9:00 Registration desk open – details of nearby attractions and activities will be available for
those not attending formal business sessions.
9:15 Society Journal/Book sales tables open
9:30 – 17:00 Brownshill Dolmen exhibition – a short talk at the Dolmen site can be arranged if there is sufficient interest
10:00 Introduction: Mairead Byrne, Chairperson, Federation of Local History Societies
10:05 Official opening of AGM
10:15 to 12:45 AGM of the FLHS
12:45 to 14:00 Lunch (Not provided — Make your own arrangements)
14:30 to 16:00 Carlow Town History Walks starting at the Hotel
16:00 Visit to Co. Carlow Military Museum (€2 fee) (next to hotel)
19:00 Address by Malcolm Noonan, Minister for Heritage & Electoral Reform.
19:15 Dinner followed by a talk from Dr. Shay Kinsella based on a forthcoming book titled It
nearly broke his heart trying to get things going in this area’: Aspects of the Irish Revolution
in Co. Carlow, 1912-23.
SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2023
11:00 to 12:30 A guided tour of Carlow County Museum.
WEEKEND PACKAGE
Cost is €210 PPS and €278 Single. This includes two nights B&B and two evening meals (3 courses with tea/coffee) in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow.
BOOKING: Those interested in the weekend package should book directly with the Seven Oaks Hotel by contacting reservations at Tel. No. (059) 913 1308. Booking is on a first come first serve basis and rooms must be booked by Sept 6th, 2023, at the latest to avail of the Federation special rate.
Please Note:
So we can follow up on the bookings we would ask anyone booking the hotel to provide the name of the Society/Individual membership and a contact detail so we can get back to you with further details.
THOSE BOOKING SHOULD ASK FOR THE FEDERATION SPECIAL RATE
NOTE: rooms may be available after Sept 6th but will be at the normal hotel rate.
Anyone attending on the Friday or Saturday and not availing of the weekend package can have dinner at the cost of €30.
The Seven Oaks hotel is centrally located a short distance from the town centre. It is a four star hotel nestled in Carlow’s bustling town centre and is within walking distance of Carlow’s new cultural centre. There are Rail and Bus services to and from Dublin and Cork.
The Seven Oaks Hotel is a relatively short walk from Carlow Railway Station.