Galway Archaeological and Historical Society

17/05/2026

Monday night, 8 pm

The late Peadar O'Dowd, a prolific historian who worked tirelessly to preserve Galway’s archaeological and architectural heritage, was also a long-time secretary of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.

17/05/2026

Monday night

Lecture in honour of late Galway historian Peadar O'Dowd

12/05/2026

PEADAR O'DOWD MEMORIAL LECTURE, Monday 18 May

The late Peadar O'Dowd, a prolific historian who worked tirelessly to preserve Galway’s archaeological and architectural heritage, was also a long-time secretary of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society. As a tribute to his work and his memory, the Society is holding a special commemorative lecture on Monday 18th May, at 8 pm, in the Harbour Hotel. The speaker is Jackie Uí Chionna, and her topic is ‘The History of the Galway Salmon Fishery under the ownership of the Ashworth Family, 1852–1954.’ Dr Uí Chionna will examine the stewardship of the Galway Fishery under three generations of the Lancashire family who were instrumental in the development of aquaculture in Ireland, but in the process came into conflict local anglers and landlords – as well as poachers – when they enforced their exclusive fishing rights to the Corrib in the courts.

The speaker Dr Jackie Uí Chionna, who collaborated with Peadar O’Dowd in several projects, teaches History at the University of Galway. Her many publications on include a biography of Galway merchant and industrialist ‘Máirtín Mór’ McDonogh (2016), and most recently 'The Queen of Codes: the secret life of Emily Anderson: Britain’s greatest female code breaker' (2023), which was shortlisted for the prestigious Elizabeth Longford Prize.

15/04/2026

A statue of Lord Dunkellin dominated Eyre Square for forty-nine years, until it was removed in controversial circumstances in 1922. The full story of the statue will be told by historian Dr John Cunningham in an illustrated talk at the Galway Mechanics Institute, Middle Street on Thursday 16 April at 8 pm.

The talk will address a number of questions. Who was Lord Dunkellin? Why was Sir William Gregory so anxious to erect a monument to him? Why was the statue so disliked by Galwegians? As well as considering it as a political symbol, the talk will assess the statue as a work of art, the creation of John Henry Foley, the most eminent sculptor of his day.

Admission to the talk is free and all are welcome

13/04/2026

Lecture tonight at 8 pm

The next lecture in the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society spring series in entitled. ‘Les Modes Modernes: the Galway hat factory, 1937-1972’. It takes place in the Harbour Hotel at 8 pm on Monday 13th April and the speaker is Mary Cunningham

The illustrated lecture will trace the history of the industry, established in Bohermore in the late 1930s by Jewish refugees fleeing Na**sm. It focuses on the experiences of former workers interviewed for the research, who recall social relations in the factory, as well as the working conditions and the manufacturing processes. This oral history research is complemented by memoirs and a range of other sources. The challenges faced by the Jewish exiles will also be discussed along with the personal trials they endured.

Fianna Fáil’s protectionist policies were responsible for the establishment of millinery industries in Galway and elsewhere in the west, but changes in policy in the 1960s, together with changes in fashion, created difficulties which would lead to the closure of Les Modes Modernes in 1972.

The speaker, Mary Cunningham is a former school principal. She has been researching and producing documentaries for her Recording Galway website including several broadcast on Galway Bay FM. She has worked as a researcher on the Tuam Oral History Project and is co-producer of a podcast series on the experience of survivors of the Tuam Mother and Baby institution, which is included in the Junior Cert curriculum.

The photo shows workers at the hat factory, including hat designer, Mathilde Schwenk (holding the glass), a Jewish refugee from Austria, as well as Mai Lyons (right) and Ethel Murray (2nd right), both from Henry St. Courtesy of Heather Gardiner.

07/04/2026

The next lecture in the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society spring series in entitled. ‘Les Modes Modernes: the Galway hat factory, 1937-1972’. It takes place in the Harbour Hotel at 8 pm on Monday 13th April and the speaker is Mary Cunningham

The illustrated lecture will trace the history of the industry, established in Bohermore in the late 1930s by Jewish refugees fleeing Na**sm. It focuses on the experiences of former workers interviewed for the research, who recall social relations in the factory, as well as the working conditions and the manufacturing processes. This oral history research is complemented by memoirs and a range of other sources. The challenges faced by the Jewish exiles will also be discussed along with the personal trials they endured.

Fianna Fáil’s protectionist policies were responsible for the establishment of millinery industries in Galway and elsewhere in the west, but changes in policy in the 1960s, together with changes in fashion, created difficulties which would lead to the closure of Les Modes Modernes in 1972.

The speaker, Mary Cunningham is a former school principal. She has been researching and producing documentaries for her Recording Galway website including several broadcast on Galway Bay FM. She has worked as a researcher on the Tuam Oral History Project and is co-producer of a podcast series on the experience of survivors of the Tuam Mother and Baby institution, which is included in the Junior Cert curriculum.

The photo shows workers at the hat factory, including hat designer, Mathilde Schwenk (holding the glass), a Jewish refugee from Austria, as well as Mai Lyons (right) and Ethel Murray (2nd right), both from Henry St. Courtesy of Heather Gardiner.