Conference on ‘the Big House in Westmeath’ next weekend

Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society

The Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society hosts its eight annual conference in the Greville Arms Hotel on Saturday next, April 12 from 9.30am. The theme of this year’s conference is The Big House in Westmeath.

Once the homes of the ascendancy and landlord class, many of the Big Houses have fallen into ruin and others have disappeared altogether – others, however, like Killua and Tullynally still contribute significantly to the cultural life of the county.

The conference is the first to begin the process of exploring the origin, rise, decline and survival of these once dominant domiciles in Westmeath.

Six speakers – three women and three men – all specialists in their fields, will look at particular aspects of this phenomenon in the county.

Donal O’Brien wrote the best selling Landed Estates of Westmeath, which is now out of print. He will reflect on the lost houses in the county, especially in the southern part of Westmeath.

Dr Eugene Dunne will explore the reasons a number of Big Houses were burned during the Civil War.

Professor Finola O’Kane will look at the design of the 18th century great lakeland landscape, especially around Lough Ennell.

Ursula Kane wrote a best selling book about Dominic Street in the 1950s and 1960s called Snapping Twine, and she will reflect on life on the street from the perspective of its female inhabitants during those decades.

Ruth Illingworth will examine the Big House cluster near Lough Ennell, including Tudenham Belvedere, Bloomfield and Ladeston, and the influence the inhabitants of those demesnes had on the town and county.

The conference concludes on a positive note as writer and historian Andrew Hughes looks at the life, death and rebirth of a castle – Killua, once the home of the Chapmans, and now fully restored by Allen Sanguines- Krause.

The day promises to be an excellent conference; the entry fee of €35 includes lunch, teas coffees, scones brochure and admittance. See whahs.ie for more details of the programme and speaker bios. All are welcome