Covenant and Rising history talk

The Unionist leader Sir Edward Carson signs the Ulster Covenant at Belfast City Hall in 1912

Taking place on Monday, September 1, renowned historian Professor Liam Kennedy of Queen’s University, Belfast will be providing a free public lecture at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre entitled ‘Texting Terrors: the 1912 Ulster Covenant and the 1916 Irish Proclamation’.

The lecture will focus on two documents which have shaped the history of modern Ireland. Firstly, the 1912 Ulster Solemn League and Covenant which forcefully expressed the desire of Ulster Unionists to remain a part of the United Kingdom.

While in contrast the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic, declared on the steps of the General Post Office in Dublin during the failed Easter Rising of 1916, asserted the desire of Irish Nationalists that Ireland should be completely independent of the United Kingdom.

The strong convictions of Irish Nationalists and Ulster Unionists, enshrined in each document, would eventually lead to the partition of Ireland into North and South in 1921.

In his evening lecture Professor Kennedy will be publicly presenting his research into both texts for the first time.

He will provide an overview of the period before examining and challenging many of the common perceptions which have grown up around the Ulster Covenant and Irish Proclamation

The lecture will take place at 7.45pm in Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre and will last for approximately one hour. Admission is free.

For further information contact Craigavon Museum Services at [email protected] or 028 3832 2205.