Tom Burnell | Myles Dungan

As part of the Gallipoli centenary commemorations in Kells, Co.Meath – co-sponsored by the Hay/Kells Festival and RTE Radio 1’s The History Show – distinguished World War 1 historian will give the inaugural Francis Ledwidge Memorial Lecture on ‘Ireland and Gallipoli’ in St. Columba’s Church of Ireland Church at 7.30 on Friday 24 April.

Philip Orr is the author of The Road to the Somme an account of the experience of the 36^th Ulster division on 1 July 1916 and Field of Bones, a narrative of the 10^th (Irish) division at Gallipoli in August 1915.

Francis Ledwidge, poet and nationalist, was a member of the 10^th (Irish) division during the Gallipoli campaign and died in Belgium in 1917.

The lecture will begin a weekend of commemorative events and lectures to mark the centenary of the start of the Gallipoli campaign where more than 4000 Irish lives were lost.

In future years the Francis Ledwidge Memorial lecture will form part of the annual Hay/Kells Literary Festival.

The weekend will also include an examination of the role of journalism and poetry in the war in a day of lectures entitled The first draft of history? Journalism and poetry in the Great War, a day of talks on Ireland and Gallipoli on Sunday 26 April and a concert of WW1 music and anti-WW1 songs from Declan O’Rourke at 8.00 on Saturday 25 April.

There will also be memorabilia and genealogical experts (Tom Burnell and Gordon Power) available for consultation and a WW1 tour of the town led by archaeologist and historian Damien Shiels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT THE RTE RADIO 1 HISTORY SHOW WEBSITE – http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/

For tickets to all Gallipoli100 events phone 046-9240055

Gallipoli 100 is funded with the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Reconciliation Fund and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

As part of the centenary commemoration of the start of the Gallipoli campaign – one of the most costly in terms of Irish lives in WW1 – the Hay/Kells Festival and RTE Radio 1’s History Show, co-sponsors of the event, invite the public to consult some of the country’s best-known military historians about aspects of the Great War that interest them.

Available for consultation in St.Columba’s Church of Ireland church on the afternoon of Saturday 25 April will be military genealogist Gordon Power. Gordon can guide you in your search for information on a family member who took part in the war and also has a vast fund of knowledge on WW1 artefacts, such as medals and uniforms.

On Sunday, at the same venue, from 2-6 pm will be military historian Tom Burnell who has written a series of works on the WW1 war dead of a number of different counties. You will have access to Tom’s detailed database if you want to trace an Irish ancestor who died in the conflict.

In addition military archaeologist / historian Damien Shiels will take members of the public on a World War 1 tour of the town of Kells, stopping off at places associated with the conflict. The tour is open to all comers and will begin from the gates of St.Columba’s church at noon on Sunday 26 April.

All the above events are be free of charge.

The weekend will also include the inaugural Francis Ledwidge Memorial Lecture to be given by Philip Orr on Friday 24 April, an examination of the role of journalism and poetry in the war in a day of lectures entitled The first draft of history? Journalism and poetry in the Great War, and a day of talks on Ireland and Gallipoli on Sunday 26 April and a concert of WW1 music and anti-WW1 songs from Declan O’Rourke at 8.00 on Saturdat 25 April.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT THE RTE RADIO 1 HISTORY SHOW WEBSITE – http://www.rte.ie/radio1/the-history-show/

For tickets to other Gallipoli100 events call 046-9240055

Myles Dungan

Historian and broadcaster

Tag Archives: Tom Burnell

PHILIP ORR TO GIVE INAUGURAL FRANCIS LEDWIDGE MEMORIAL LECTURE AT GALLIPOLI 100 IN KELLS ON 24 APRIL

ASK THE EXPERTS AT GALLIPOLI 100 IN KELLS, 24-26 APRIL

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