22.01.2016
Hidden Pages From the 1916 Rising – Seminar to Explore Little Known Archival Sources on Events at Easter 1916
The Irish Society for Archives in conjunction with An Post will host a novel seminar Hidden Pages From the 1916 Rising, at which five archival curators will engage with the public to explore some of the little–known archival sources about this momentous event.
The seminar takes place at the Church of St George and St Thomas, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1 on Tuesday the 2nd of February 2016 with refreshments from 6pm and talks commencing at 6.45pm approximately. This Church of Ireland church (located alongside the Gresham Hotel) was rebuilt in the 1930s following the destruction of an older church (originally located in Marlborough Street) during the Revolutionary period in 1922.
At Hidden Pages, five short illustrated presentations will be delivered, after which the audience will be invited to engage in dialogue in a question and answer session. Colum O’Riordan, General Manager of the Irish Architectural Archive will visually illustrate the ‘Architectural legacies of 1916’; Ellen Murphy, Senior Archivist at Dublin City Library and Archives, will reveal ‘Reactions to the Easter Rising in the Monica Roberts Collection at Dublin City Library and Archive’ under the heading: “It was grand to see our Tommies”.
Moving beyond Dublin to the Rising in provincial Ireland, Wexford County Archivist, Grainne Doran will examine ‘The collective effort of the men and women in County Wexford, Easter 1916’. The emergency medical response to events will be discussed by Pádraig Allen, through the archives of the St John Ambulance Ireland, and finally Stephen Ferguson, Assistant Secretary at An Post will explore the experiences of ‘The staff of the GPO during Easter Week, 1916.
The 1916 seminar follows a similar event organised by the Society last year on Hidden Pages of the First World War, in collaboration with St Patrick’s Cathedral – see http://dublin.anglican.org/news/2015/02/Archivists-Research-Brings-Stories-of-Individuals-Involved-in-War-to-Life
The overall aim of this year’s 1916 commemorative event is to “to encourage discriminating and nuanced debate on the complex events of 1916.” The seminar and dialogue will be introduced and chaired by Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times. This is a free public event and all are welcome. The talks will be preceded by refreshments, from 6pm.