John will discuss how the War of Independence unfolded in Dublin. 

John Dorney is an independent historian and editor of the Irish Story website. His Masters in History was on Florence McCarthy and the Conquest of Gaelic Munster. He is the author of two books: Peace After the Final Battle, the Story of the Irish Revolution, and The Civil War in Dublin, the Fight for the Irish Capital, 1922-1924.

Brian will discuss the role of the Black and Tans and Auxiliary forces during the War of Independence. 

Brian Hanley is a professional historian, author and lecturer on modern Ireland. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Trinity College, Dublin. His areas of expertise include the IRA, Irish republicanism, labour and radicalism, 1916 Easter Rising, 1918 General election, Irish Revolution & Civil War, Irish America and the Northern Irish conflict.

Declan will discuss an often overlooked dimension in the War of Independence that is the part played by local government in bringing the crown establishment to the negotiating table. The talk will include reference to the year 1920 including the local elections for Dublin County Council, Balrothery Rural District Council and Poor Law Guardians, when Sinn Féin won a majority and how they pledged their allegiance to Dáil Éireann. 

Declan Brady is a historian and genealogist based in Swords, Co. Dublin with a history Masters from Maynooth University, where he is currently a John Hume PhD scholar

Lou will tell of the life of Mary (Molly) Adrian, a woman who was brought up and lived for the main part of her life in North Dublin. Molly played an important role during the 1916 Rising and in the subsequent years of the struggle. Molly held elected office as a Member of the Balrothery Board of Guardians and was deeply involved in the affairs of her community. 

Lou Boland originally from Kildare has lived in North Dublin for the past fifty years. She has developed an interest in and love of the rural area of North County Dublin and the involvement of its people in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence.

This talk will cover the background history, how the novel came about, the importance of the nearby Gormanston Camp, and its switch from an RAF base to a centre for the Black and Tans, and how the burning of Balbriggan 100 years ago, with loss of civilian life, caused questions to be raised in parliament at Westminster. As part of the talk he will read the climactic scene from Pawns in which Balbriggan is set ablaze. 

Brian Gallagher is a full time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain & Canada. His novels for adults Invincible, Flight, Payback and Pursuit have won widespread acclaim and in more recent times he has produced an array of historical fiction books for older children including Across the Divide, Taking Sides, Storm Clouds, Friend or Foe, Arrivals and Resistance. He is currently working on a new novel Making a Stand due for publication in Spring 2021.

Cathal’s talk will focus on the events of 1920 outlining the moments and engagements that the Fingal Brigade were involved in. The period saw the loss of life on both sides and the emergence of an independent judicial system which tried from small transgressions through to acts which saw the death sentence passed. 

Cathal Boland a current Councillor and former Mayor of Fingal and has an interest in Fingal history and has given many talks on key Fingal moments and the individuals who shaped the County over the past 250 years. A former Cathaoirleach of Fingal Old IRA (1916-1921) Commemorative Society Cathal has undertaken extensive reading and research of the period covering the 1916 Rising and War of Independence.

A selection of Songs and Music relating to the Sack of Balbriggan and The War of Independence, performed by David O’Connor and Aidan Lawlor with Helen Lawlor on the Harp. Songs will include The Bold Black & Tan and Kevin Barry. 

David O’Connor native of Garristown but living in Ballyboughal has strong roots in rural Fingal having represented the area as a member of Fingal County Council for almost twenty years. He has a strong interest in local history and song. He is a founding member of the Fingal Walking Group and an active member of the Dublinbased Goilin traditional singing club.

This talk will give the local and historical context and with the aid of images give a comprehensive account of the Sack of Balbriggan based on contemporary accounts, military and RIC archives, newspaper coverage, other publications and interviews. 

Jim Walsh is a retired librarian and founding member of the Balbriggan and District Historical Society.