Speaker: Christopher Power

Talk Title: Michael Hogan: The Bard of Thomond

Talk Description:
Michael Hogan the Bard of Thomond created wonderful material about his native city of Limerick and much of County Clare. An early master in the genre of Gothic stories, he produced highly descriptive and very original material. Perhaps his best-known piece of literature was Drunken Thady and the Bishops Lady the ultimate Christmas story. Many other creations exist in his works such as the ghostly bride Mary who haunted Quin Abbey and of course terrifying Obhinn, the Banshee, and her dreadful curses.

Hogan’s lovely descriptions of rural Clare and Limerick, not to mention various characters real, (and from beyond the grave!), are highly entertaining and, despite the huge amounts of material he produced which are largely forgotten, have a great deal to offer to a modern audience.

Hogan was also a social commentator of his time with compassion and sympathy for the many who suffered in post famine Ireland. On the issues of social justice, and those in public life, there was no sharper critic then Hogan who wrote ascorbic comment with hilarious and devastating effect against many senior figures of his time. This talk, (with visuals), will explore these fascinating aspects of Michael Hogan’s eventful life both locally and abroad and will hopefully give a wider appreciation of this largely overlooked Irish writer.

About the Speaker:
A native of North County Wexford, Christopher Power has a keen interest in local history and has produced a number of publications covering a wide range of topics; including historical aspects of Wexford, Wicklow and South Tipperary. Professionally; Christopher is a Librarian working for Carlow County Council.

Christopher’s recent book is titled “The Last Dalcassian Bard: The Extraordinary Life and Works of Michael Hogan”, and it will be available for purchase on the night of the Talk. It is an illustrated full colour biography and recently came second in the Nilsson Local Heritage writing competition at Listowel Writers Week.

Our speaker has a Limerick & Clare connection; his Uncle Christy Power, arrived to work in Limerick in the mid-1960s, a well-known Printer with the Limerick Leader, now retired, and living in Ardnacrusha. As a result, with many visits to Limerick over the years, it was Uncle Christy who introduced his nephew Christopher and his Dad Pat to Drunken Thady and the Bishops Lady.

Admission is FREE of charge

A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses

Every good wish,

Joseph McCloskey

Honorary Secretary,
Kilkee Civic Trust

E-mail:
Website: www.kilkeecivictrust.org

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Our summer season of weekly events commences this Wednesday, 3rd July, with our first KCT Talk at 8pm, at Cultúrlann Sweeney, O’Connell St., Kilkee.
Speaker: Ruairí McKiernan
Talk Title: Hope and Healing in a Troubled World
Talk Description:
We live in an increasingly busy world where we’re presented with huge opportunities, but also massive challenges. Issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and social isolation are on the rise. The neglect of rural Ireland, economic and social inequalities, and a growing ecological crisis are evidence that big changes are needed. In this talk by well-known social campaigner Ruairí McKiernan, he reflects on his 20 years working for change and explores how we can co-create new paths and possibilities to a more hopeful future for all.
About the Speaker:
Lahinch-based Cavan native Ruairí McKiernan is an award-winning social innovator and campaigner who has been named by Ashoka as one of the top 10 ‘changemakers’ in Ireland. Ruairí is the founder of the SpunOut.ie youth organisation, a co-founder of the Uplift campaigning movement, and recently finished a 7-year term as one of President Higgins’s appointees to the Council of State. Ruairí is also a Fulbright fellow, a regular contributor to the national media, and host of the Love and Courage podcast. His book ‘Hitching For Hope” will be published in the coming months.
Further information at: www.ruairimckiernan.com & Twitter: @ruairimckieran
Admission is FREE of charge
A donations box is available, at each KCT Talk, to assist us in defraying essential and necessary expenses