Embassy Lecture Series - Podcasts
A series of lectures and panel discussions, organised by the Irish Embassy in London, exploring the themes of the Ireland 2016 programme took place this year and are available as podcasts.
These discussions and debates explored the Easter Rising of 1916 - a seminal event in Ireland's path to independence and the centrepiece of this decade of centenaries - as well as the Battle of the Somme, an event that touched countless thousands of families across the island and from all traditions. A key factor which shaped our approach to the decade of centenaries has been acknowledging the multiple narratives and interpretations that exist of these key moments in our history. Other key topics discussed include: the role of women in 1916 and the life of Roger Casement, a British diplomat, humanitarian and leader of the 1916. We will also look at the 100 year journey from 1916 to today and the next 100 years. In June 2016, we will host the annual TCD Henry Grattan lecture in association with Trinity College Dublin with former Central Bank of Ireland Governor Patrick Honohan as the keynote speaker.
The trial and appeal of Roger Casement, 19 June 2016
On 19 July Ambassador Mulhall hosted a discussion at the Embassy with His Honour Judge Anthony Bradbury, on the trial and appeal of Roger Casement and the painting it inspired, ‘High Treason’ by John Lavery.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Battle of the Somme, 14 June 2016
Ambassador Mulhall hosted an event to mark the significance of the Battle of the Somme on June 14 and speakers included Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, the DUP’s parliamentary chief whip and defence and business spokesperson in the House of Commons and Chair of the Northern Ireland Coordinating Committee for the Centenary Commemoration of WW1; Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Prime Minister Cameron’s Special Representative for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War and former Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office; and Dr Catriona Pennell, historian of 19th and 20th century British and Irish history, based at the University of Exeter.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
The life & humanitarian legacy of Roger Casement, 2 June 2016
Ambassador Mulhall hosted a panel discussion with Prof Sean McConville, Professor of Law and Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London, who spoke about the paradoxical nature of Casement as a figure in the Irish revolution, and Shami Chakrabarti, former director of British civil liberties advocacy organisation Liberty, who spoke about Casement’s role as a humanitarian and early human rights activist. The discussion was followed by a lively Q&A.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Lecture by Prof. Patrick Honohan, former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, 24 May 2016
On 24 May Professor Honohan delivered a speech on the Irish economy over the last 100 years. This was the 4th lecture at the Embassy in the Trinity College Dublin Berry Grattan Lecture Series and also part of the Embassy's Ireland 2016 Lecture Series. Professor Honohan explored how the performance of the Irish economy since the Easter Rising has measured up to the hopes of visionaries such as James Connolly, Arthur Griffith and Thomas Kettle. Opening remarks are made by Prof. John O'Hagan of TCD, with a formal response by Mr. Hamish Mc Rae followed by a Q&A chaired by Ambassador Dan Mulhall.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
President Michael D. Higgins, 29 April 2016
President Michael D. Higgins, accompanied by his wife Sabina, were in London on Friday 29 April to participate in the Embassy of Ireland’s 2016 commemoration programme. President Higgins delivered a speech during the reception hosted by Ambassador Mulhall in honour of the President’s visit.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Women of 1916, 1 March 2016
On Tuesday 1st March, Ambassador Dan Mulhall hosted a panel discussion on the Women of 1916. This was the third event of the Embassy lecture series, which forms part of the Embassy’s Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. The event also marked International Women’s Day.
The panellists for the discussion were Prof Roy Foster, Carroll Professor of Irish History, Hertford College, Oxford, Prof Senia Paseta, Professor of Modern History, St Hugh’s College, Oxford and Dr. Lauren Arrington, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool. The discussion was moderated by Carolyn Quinn, BBC. The event was linked with Oxford University’s Women in the Humanities initiative, the UK’s major forum for interdisciplinary humanities scholarship on women, which encourages research related to women’s lives, identities and representations.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Edward Madigan, 9 February 2016
Dr. Edward Madigan, lecturer in Public History and First World War Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London and formerly resident historian with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission delivered a lecture on Irish involvement in WW1.
The topic was: The Isle of Saints and Soldiers: the Great War in Irish History, Memory and Commemoration.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Prof. Joe Lee, 18 January 2016
A lecture was delivered by acclaimed historian Prof Joe Lee, Glucksman Chair of Irish History and Professor of Irish Studies at New York University. The topic was: The Easter Rising 1916: why did it happen & how did it change Ireland?. This lecture was followed by a discussion with Ambassador Mulhall and lively Q&A.
A podcast of this lecture and discussion is available on our website.
Ronan Fanning & Maurice Walsh, 29 October 2015
An evening discussion at the Irish Embassy with Ambassador Dan Mulhall, Ronan Fanning, author of Éamon DeValera – A Will to Power and Maurice Walsh, author of Bitter Freedom – Ireland in a Revolutionary World, in conversation about Ireland 1916-1923. This discussion took place at the Embassy on the 29th October 2015.
A podcast of this discussion is available on our site.
Prof. Keith Jeffery, 11 November 2015
The Embassy hosted an evening discussion with acclaimed historian Keith Jeffery, Professor of British History at Queen’s University Belfast and member of the RIA, to discuss his latest book 1916 – A Global History. 1916 – A Global History is a history of the First World War, told through the significant global events of 1916. As well as discussing battles such as Gallipoli, Verdun and the Somme, Prof. Jeffery examines the Easter Rising, East Africa, the Italian front, Central Asia and Russia. This took place on 11 November 2015.
A podcast of this discussion is now available on our site.