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DUBLIN’S PAST WILL take centre stage this month when the Dublin History Festival takes place in the capital.
With a variety of events on, it’s a chance to learn more about the city’s past, and hear from experts about pivotal moments in history.
It takes place at Dublin Castle Printworks and venues around the city from 26 September to 8 October, featuring a line up of Irish and international historians.
World War I
It’s the second year of the festival, and one of the main themes this year will be Dublin’s involvement in the First World War.
Whether you’re a history buff or want to know more about our past, you’ll have professional historians on hand to guide you through.
Dublin City Librarian Margaret Hayes said that 4,000 people attended last year’s festival.
“The Festival allows Dublin City Council to mark significant historical anniversaries and this year, Dublin’s involvement in the First World War will be remembered,” she explained.
Among the other events will be a new exhibition of First World War prints at The Hugh Lane Gallery.
Experts
The programme will feature renowned historians from around the world – like Alison Weir, Hew Strachan, Richard Evans, and Charles Spencer – as well as Irish historians such as Mary Daly, David Dickson and Sean Duffy.
The main history talks will take place at The Printworks Venue, Dublin Castle, between Friday 26 and Sunday 28 September.
What can you expect?
There will also be films, talks, and workshops at Dublin City Branch Libraries and other venues until 8 October.
You can find the full programme details at www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie, which is also where you can book the lectures (which are free to attend).
Competition
Dublin City Council has three sets of two tickets for the documentary theatre event The Green Fields; The Road to War on 27 September (usually €5 per ticket).
It uses speeches, songs and letters from 1914 and 1915 to chart Ireland’s journey into WW1. To enter, email festivalofhistory@dublincity.ie
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Poorly educated Irishmen duped into fighting and dying for the foreign superpower, who kept them as downtrodden reservists.denying them the right to form their own destiny
Destiny is a fine word, but don’t let it get in the way of reality. In many ways Ireland’s history is mirrored by that of recent events in Scotland. Like in the Scortish referendum, when the Irish grew above themselves England would soon cut them down to size again. As was the situation in 1798 when Grattans parliament were seen to be getting ahead of themselves England changed the game plan.
And you spending time in the Queen’s bedroom – are you badly educated too?
These men fought the Kaiser and they – like our WW2 veterans – deserve our gratitude.
Because of the 1916 Rising, our proud and courageous role in WW1 has been largely forgotten.
Yes Gravel – and, for some reason, many still disagree with the side our men fought on…..
Would you rather we were all wearing poppies and turning down independence from Britain?
I’m no fan of what the IRA became but I’m proud of the Easter rising AND the brave WW1 volunteers.
The country in fairness was too young and unsteady on it’s legs to give them their proper dues.
Some things can’t be appreciated on their own merits when you’re trying to grow up and prove how independent you are
Thankfully they’re getting some recognition now
Wearing poppies has nothing to do with independence from Britain, it is primarily a mark of remembrance for those killed during WW1 and subsequent wars.
I was walking past the EU commission building in Brussels the day after the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World war one. The side was covered with a massive representation of a poppy. It is now seen internationally as a symbol of remembrance except for some reason by a small bunch of ‘little Irelanders’ determined to be angry and offended by everything.
I think in recent years much more emphasis has been put on Irishmen involved WW1. And it’s always at the expense of the men involved in 1916. It’s very fashionable now to praise one group as infallible heroes and denounce the others as misguided rebels. That’s very trendy now
Our men you mean our mercenaries right
Take the royal blinkers off paid to focking kill
I missed the part where mercenaries were anything but money motivated killers
I’d say it was some craic when the Vikings invaded for the local population.
Historically it’s been shown that they came because they heard about the Harp. It must be true, I saw it on the TV
I thought that it was the Guinness they came for….
have your say