Drogheda Fenians Return - Day Three & Four

Monday 8th July at 1pm sees the start of our Tholsel Lunchtime Presentations.

The first of the week long presentations is "In The Great Dismal Swamp - John Boyle O'Reilly, Canoeist and Sports Enthusiast". There will be a general introduction to the week by Sean Corcoran, Chairperson of the Old Drogheda Society and a Director of Drogheda Museum, and there will also be contributions from Claidhbh Ó Gibne, artist and currach-maker who owns and operates the Boyne Currach Centre in Donore, Co. Meath, and also from Silver Bridge Kayak Club and Drogheda Boxing Club.

O'Reilly on the Delaware River

It is little known about John Boyle O'Reilly that not only was he a radical intellectual and poet but also an international figure in the social development of sport; particularly canoeing and boxing. His accounts of canoeing trips, particularly to The Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia are regarded as classics.

Here's a link to some of his writings on canoeing:
http://www.eldritchpress.org/jbo/conn.htm

Drogheda Fenian Laurence Fulham

In the Tholsel at 1pm on Tuesday 9th July there is the second of our Lunchtime Presentations -
The Fenians and Photography - speaker Liam Kelly, author of 'Photographs and Photography in Irish Local History' (2008) will discuss the use of the camera and photography in Irish daily life, and its use by the authorities to aid in the identification of criminals using mugshots. There will also be contributions from the Drogheda Photographic Club using period equipment.










To round off Tuesday 9th July, at 7pm there will be a Fenian Town Walk led by community historian Brendan Matthews which will take in the main sites related to the Drogheda Fenians. Assembly is at the West court Hotel, West St., Drogheda and the duration is one hour.