The Mount Merrion estate in South County Dublin celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2011.

The following will give you some basic background. We would be delighted if your members could join us sometime during the weekend of May 28th and 29th at our exhibition and concert in the Mount Merrion Community Centre.
> in January 2010 a group of residents from the South Dublin neighbourhood of Mount Merrion gathered together for their first meeting to plan a series of events to celebrate the upcoming 300th anniversary of the founding of the estate in 1711.
> some 16 months later we have a website established (www.mountmerrion300.ie), we have a Concert and Exhibition planned for May and have written a book which will be published in November 2011.
> THE HISTORY
Richard Fitzwilliam succeeded as 5th Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion in 1704. The family home of Merrion Castle ( now the site of the School for the Blind on Merrion Road ) was in such a state of disrepair that he immediately set about finding a site for a new home. His agents brought him to 300 acres of nearby land which provided stunning views of Dublin Bay which he selected. He walled off the land with an 8 foot high granite wall in 1711.
The modern housing-estate of Mount Merrion which comprises of some 1000 houses was built in the 1930s and 1940s entirely within the walls of this old Fitzwilliam Estate.
Some of these original Walls are still visible today - picture 2 attached shows a surviving portion of the wall at the enterence to Deer Park on the Mount Anville Road.
The family retained their connection with Mount Merrion through the centuries, intermarried with the Pembrokes. The house was lived in by various Agents in the last years, and the estate was eventually sold for development in the 1930s.
A number of developers including Kenny and DuMoulin bought the lands in the 30s and proceeded to build Ireland's first Garden City development. The unique attributes of this garden city design is still visible today in the wide roads, green spaces (they built 6 houses per acre rather than the permitted 20) extravagant tree planting and parkland.
While lacking a village centre which would give the area a more prominent identity, the Mount Merrion estate is still clearly defined by the old boundary Walls and has a very strong community spirit.
> THE EVENTS. The MM300 Committee decided to mark the anniversary with the development of 4 specific events - a website, an exhibition, a concert and a book.
> The Website
The MM300 group have developed an exciting and detailed website which went live on Jan 1st 2011. The website features a written history of the area augmented by a comprehensive collection of maps ( the earliest dating to 1710), photos, drawings, cine film, audio recordings and will we are sure be an amazing resource and legacy for the people of the area for the future. See www.mountmerrion300.ie,
> The Exhibition
The Exhibition will take place in the Community Centre ( the old Mount Merrion house) over the weekend of May 28 and 29. The exhibition will cover the 300 years and includes memorabilia from the ages, photos, correspondence, newspaper articles, paintings, portraits, and a model of the Demesne made especially for the exhibition. Entry is free of charge.
> Concert
A wonderful concert will take place in the nearby church of St Therese on the Saturday night of the exhibition- weekend, May 28th, featuring the internationally renowned Callino Quartet with bassoonist Peter Whelan. The programme includes works by Haydn, Borodin, Mendelssohn, Gershwin, Britten, Barber, Debussy and Devienne. Tickets are €15 each.
> Book
A commemorative book will be published in November 2011 just in time for Christmas. Full of historic photos, maps, stories, histories, biographies, portraits, pictures it will be a great present. The book will be priced at €20 each.
-- Luke Brehony

Irish landed estates, c.1700-1900

The Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities & Social Studies is pleased to announce the completion and launch of the e-database of the landed estates of Munster, c.1700-1900, a research project funded under the Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycle 4. To mark the occasion the Institute will host a Conference on Irish landed estates, c.1700-1900 From Friday, 20 May to Saturday, 21 May, 2011 in the Moore Institute seminar room An exhibition of the photographs of Tarquin Blake, entitled Abandoned Mansions of Ireland, will be open for viewing in the James Hardiman Library, NUI, Galway, during the days of the Conference. While there will be no fee charged for attendance, to facilitate an estimate of numbers (for refreshments, seating and comfort), an indication of intention to attend would be appreciated. Please indicate your intention to attend to: mooreinstitute@nuigalway.ie Programme Friday, May 20, 2011 1-2pm Registration 2:15 Lecture: Reflections on the Irish landed estate and Irish society Speaker: Professor Joe Lee (Professor of History, New York University and Director of Irish Studies at Glucksman Ireland House, NYU) 3:30 Coffee 4:00 Panel of Young Researchers on the Irish landed estate Research in Progress: Joanne McEntee, Conor Montague, Laura Vickers (NUI, Galway) 5:30 Official launch of the Munster Landed Estates e-database Speaker: Dr Martin Mansergh A demonstration of the e-database by Brigid Clesham and Marie Boran, will be followed by a Reception. 7:15 Lecture: Irish historic gardens & demesnes: survival and revival Speaker: Finola Reid, (Author, Researcher and Member of the Heritage Council of Ireland) Saturday, May 21, 2011 9:15am Archive Forum: The archive and the research community: challenges and changing contexts Speakers: Caitríona Crowe (National Archives of Ireland), Ciara Kerrigan (National Library of Ireland), Dr. Olwen Purdue (Senior Research Fellow, Queen’s University, Belfast) 10.30 am Coffee Break 11:00am Lecture: Landlords and the estate system: catalysts for social and cultural change? Speaker: Professor William J.Smyth ( Professor Emeritus of Geography, University College Cork) 12:30pm Close of Conference

UL Oral Heritage Studies COurse

University Certificate in Oral Heritage Studies Introduction This is a one-year, part-time Certificate course, worth 24 ECTS credits, NFQ Minor Award at level 6. Oral accounts form a vital part of our heritage. Since earliest times they have formed the basis of history as well as playing a significant role in family and community memory. This Certificate in Oral Heritage Studies will examine the wealth of recorded national and local oral narrative sources in Ireland in both oral history and folklore. It will cater for the continuing education needs of those who wish to undertake study in the theory and methodology of oral history research particularly as it might be applied to an understanding of local, regional and national identity. Objectives On completion of the programme a participant will have acquired the ability to: Prepare, conduct and present oral history research, interviewing and digitisation. Locate their research within broader historical and cultural contexts. Discuss the theoretical background to the application and analysis of oral history Programme of Study The course consists of four modules of 6 credits each, which will be delivered one evening per week during the UL Autumn and Spring semesters. To facilitate students who live at a distance, the course will include blended (on-line), learning. A sympathetic academic environment will be provided by the course lecturers, who will offer guidance in appropriate research skills. Autumn Semester HI2021 Introduction to Oral History: Theory and Practice This module will introduce participants to the key concepts, theories and methodologies in oral history. It will equip students with essential skills in interviewing techniques and encourage engagement with ethical research questions. HI2041 Irish history: Sources and Methods This module will assist students in the contextualisation of their own research projects in an historical and cultural context. It will introduce documentary and other sources for the study of Irish history. Spring Semester HI2032 Oral Heritage and Memory, private and public This module will introduce participants to Irish and international folklore and heritage studies as well as exploring issues relating to public history and commemoration. HI2042 Research Seminar Module A self-directed research module providing assistance in the skills necessary for the conduct and analysis of oral history research projects. Assessment A central educational goal of the course is to promote the academic autonomy of each student. Each student will be required to complete their own oral history research project, write, present and discuss a research proposal and short papers using oral and written sources. Academic Calendar 2011-12Autumn Teaching Term Weeks 1-12 Spring Teaching Term Weeks 1-12 Entrance RequirementsApplications are invited from mature students (in general 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of registration). Each mature student is considered on an individual basis, whose academic qualifications, work experience, motivation and overall potential for the programme are evaluated.Course Fee Academic Year 2011-2012 : to be confirmed.Application Forms Ennis Regional Learning CentreCounty MuseumArthur’s RowEnnisTel: 065-6866844. Course DirectorDr. Catherine O’ ConnorDepartment of HistoryUniversity of LimerickTel: 061-213171; Email: Catherine.oconnor@ul.ie Course ArrangementsThe course will take place one night per week, 6.30-9.30 p.m.

A.G.M. - Kilmallock - 20-22 May 2011

Federation of Local History Societies A.G.M. Kilmallock, Co. Limerick Friday, May 20th — Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 This year we are hosting a weekend event, which we feel, offers our membership a unique opportunity not only to cultivate their interest in local history but also to engage socially with other group members whilst enjoying a relaxing weekend. We have chosen Kilmallock, Co. Limerick as the venue for this year’s AGM. Known as the Crossroads of Munster, Kilmallock has a colourful history dating back to its origins in the 12th century. An important Norman town, it was at the centre of Ireland’s political development from the 13th through to the 17th century. The medieval history of Kilmallock is evident in the town walls, its medieval bridge and two well preserved town gates. Its Dominican Priory, founded in 1291, is believed to be the best preserved of all the larger pre Reformation houses in Ireland. Near to the Priory are the well preserved ruins of the Collegiate Church which predates the Dominican Priory and incorporates additions made by Maurice Fitzgerald in 1820. The hinterland of Kilmallock includes the village of Bruree, boyhood home of Eamon de Valera and nearby at Bruff is the Lough Gur Stone Age Centre. PROGRAMME Friday, 20th MAY 6.00 – 8.00 Dinner 8.30 – 9.30 Talk – Introduction to Local History of the Area. — Kilmallock Historical Society. Saturday, 21st MAY 10.00 – 10.30 Registration - Tea/Coffee 10.30 – 10.45 Official Opening of A.G.M. 10.45 – 13.30 A.G.M. includes Minutes 2010 Chairman’s Report Secretary/Treasurer’s Report Election of officers, AOB Society Spake which, for this year, will be extended to allow groups more time to share their experiences 13.30 – 15.00 Lunch [the cost of lunch is not included in the A.G.M. delegate fee] 15.00 – 17.00 Guided Tour of historical Kilmallock and its medieval buildings 19.30 – 21.00 Dinner followed by entertainment [music, storytelling, etc.] Sunday, 22nd MAY 10.30 – 13.00 Visit Lough Gur. One of Ireland’s most important Archaeological Sites ranging from Neolithic to Medieval times. Sites include megalithic tombs, stone circles, hut sites, ancient fields and roads, standing stones, forts, crannogs, caves and castles. Note: Although the AGM is organised primarily around the weekend, members not wishing to attend for the weekend are welcome and encouraged to attend the AGM on Saturday. WEEKEND PACKAGE: Cost is €149 per person sharing and €169 single. This includes 2 nights B@B and 2 evening meals, entertainment etc. IMPORTANT: Those interested in the package should book directly with the hotel by contacting Margaret Atalla, Deebert House Hotel, Tel. 063 31200, e-mail Margaret@deeberthousehotel.com. Accommodation in the hotel is limited and booking will be on a first come first served basis. We advise that you book ASAP and no later than 6th May. TRANSPORT: The nearest railway station is Charleville which is 8 km from the hotel. Expressway buses also stop in Charleville every hour coming from Limerick and Cork. The hotel can organise a taxi or minibus (depending on numbers for a reasonable fee) to collect from Charleville if people wish to travel down for the weekend together or if day visitors arrive in Charleville at approx the same time. There will be a delegate fee of €10 paid directly to the Federation for those attending the A.G.M. Please bring copies of your Society’s publications as we will have facilities at the AGM for the display and sale of Local History books and booklets. REPLY SLIP Name of Society: Name of Delegate(s): Delegate fee €10 per person (tea/coffee), payable to the Federation of Local history Societies, should be sent to Dermot Ryan, Winters Hill, Kinsale, (021-4772729, 086-826765) by Friday 13th. May 2011. Delegates to make their own arrangements for lunch which can be provided by the hotel.