Upcoming events.
The Patron Saints of Medieval Ireland
📖 The Patron Saints of Medieval Ireland
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 11 February 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Cill Dara Historical Society is delighted to welcome Dr Elizabeth Dawson, lecturer in medieval history at Carlow College, for an insightful talk on the patron saints of medieval Ireland.
This lecture explores the role of saints in shaping medieval Irish identity, belief and local tradition, offering a deeper understanding of how these figures influenced religious, social and cultural life across Ireland. A must-attend evening for anyone interested in medieval history and Ireland’s spiritual heritage.
Tales from a Drowned Valley – The Flooding of the Blessington Lake
📜 Tales from a Drowned Valley – The Flooding of the Blessington Lake
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 4 March 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Historian and author Dr Séamus Cullen recounts the powerful story behind the creation of Blessington Lake and the communities forever changed by its flooding. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, this talk brings forward the human stories behind one of the most dramatic landscape transformations in the region.
A poignant exploration of memory, loss and local history, this talk will resonate with anyone interested in social history and place.
From Rebel County to Ravensbrück Camp: The Remarkable Story of Kate McCarthy
📚 From Rebel County to Ravensbrück Camp: The Remarkable Story of Kate McCarthy
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 1 April 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Join historian and author Catherine Fleming for the extraordinary story of Kate McCarthy, whose life journey took her from Cork to one of the most notorious concentration camps of the Second World War.
This deeply moving talk sheds light on resilience, survival and the often-forgotten Irish connections to global historical events.
Cill Dara Historical Society Event - Palmerstown House – Burning, Compensation and Rebuilding, 1923–1927
🏛️ Palmerstown House – Burning, Compensation and Rebuilding, 1923–1927
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 6 May 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
MA History student Martin Condon presents his knowledge of the destruction and reconstruction of Palmerstown House during the turbulent early years of the Irish Free State, examining themes of conflict, recovery and change.
This talk offers a detailed insight into post-Civil War Ireland through a local lens. As always, ‘Cill Dara Historical Society’ welcomes all members to attend, including new interested members.
The Curragh: Crime, Punishment and Reform under the Crown
⚖️ The Curragh: Crime, Punishment and Reform under the Crown
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 3 June 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
‘Cill Dara historical society’ welcomes historian and Curragh expert Matt McNamara to talk to us about the darker, lesser-known history of the Curragh, exploring crime, discipline and reform during British rule.
A compelling examination of power, justice and military life in Ireland. We look forward to seeing you all there!
🕊️ The Quiet Corner Back: Protestants and the GAA
🕊️ The Quiet Corner Back: Protestants and the GAA
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 1 July 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Dr Ila Milne, historian and lecturer at Carlow College, examines the often-overlooked relationship between Protestant communities and the GAA, challenging assumptions about identity, culture and sport in Ireland.
‘Runners and Riders’: The History of National Hunt Racing in Kildare
🌾 ‘Runners and Riders’: The History of National Hunt Racing in Kildare
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 2 September 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Dr Frances Nolan of UCD School of History explores Kildare’s deep connection to National Hunt racing, tracing the people, places and traditions behind this defining part of the county’s identity.
Kildare Townlands
🗺️ Kildare Townlands
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 7 October 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Place Names Officer Justin Ó Giolláin offers an engaging exploration of Kildare’s townlands, revealing the stories, language and landscape history embedded in their names.
Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast – Talk with Edward J. Bourke
📚 Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast – Talk with Edward J. Bourke
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 7 January 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
💸 All welcome
Kick-start the new year with a fascinating evening of maritime history as Cill Dara Historical Society welcomes scholar, scientist, historian and author Edward J. Bourke. Edward will speak about Volume Three of his acclaimed Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast series, widely regarded as the most comprehensive work ever published on Irish shipwrecks.
This landmark publication is an invaluable resource for historians, researchers and divers alike, offering extraordinary insights into Ireland’s dramatic maritime past and the stories hidden beneath our coastal waters. Expect a thought-provoking and engaging talk, with plenty to interest both long-standing members and newcomers.
☕ Everyone is welcome — members, guests and anyone with an interest in local history are invited to join for an evening of learning, conversation and community.
🖼️ Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing
🖼️ Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing
📍 McKenna Gallery, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
📅 Saturday 1st November – Tuesday 23rd December 2025
🕒 Mon–Fri: 9:30am–5pm | Sat: 10am–3pm | Official Opening: Sat 1st Nov at 6pm
💸 Admission Free
Celebrate 15 years of Emerging Visual Art in County Kildare with this landmark exhibition, Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing.
Presented by Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre, this special anniversary showcase brings together fifteen talented artists who have each contributed to Kildare’s rich visual arts landscape through their first major solo exhibitions.
Curated by Paula Barrett, the exhibition explores how we perceive and interpret images — weaving together memory, rhythm, and technology in an unfolding conversation between human and machine perception. Expect a fascinating mix of media and ideas that challenge us to see not just more, but more deeply.
✨ Featuring works by: Martina McDonald, Noel Hensey, Brian Cregan, Mary-Jo Gilligan, Isobel Egan, Denis Kelly, Marta Golubowska, Brenda Kearney, Michelle McBride, Caoimhe McGuckin, Shane Hynan, Katie Whyte, Gavin Casey, Kym Tracey, and Fiyin Oluokun.
🎨 Special events:
Kildare Artists Lightning Talks
Under the Banner Of workshop with Mary-Jo Gilligan
📷 Image credit: Michelle McBride
🔗 More info: riverbank.ie
The Neuroscience of Irish Trauma: Unraveling Mental Health in Ireland
The Neuroscience of Irish Trauma: Unraveling Mental Health in Ireland
📍 Venue: Moat Theatre & Café, Abbey Road, Naas
📅 Date: Monday, 3rd November 2025
🕖 Time: Doors open 7:00 p.m. | Talk starts 7:30 p.m. | Ends 9:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: Available via eventbrite.
🔁 Refund Policy: Refunds available up to 7 days before the event
Join Dr Michael Keane for an enlightening evening exploring how trauma reshapes the brain — affecting memory, emotion, and resilience. In this thought-provoking talk, Dr Keane will uncover the neuroscience behind trauma and recovery, drawing on two decades of brain imaging and unique insights into the Irish experience of trauma.
Discover how science is helping us understand mental health, and learn about the brain’s remarkable capacity for healing through new therapeutic and self-care approaches.
This in-person Seed Talks event includes time for a Q&A session, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with a leading expert in behavioural neuroscience.
⭐ “Truly riveting talks — a great way to spend an evening with friends.” – Alexander P
⭐ “Expertly run, informative, and fun! 5 stars.” – Owen S
Follow @seedtalks on Instagram for updates.