Northern Catholic Bishops webinar series to mark centenary of Partition and establishment of Northern Ireland

The Northern Catholic Bishops have announced that they will host an online webinar series of historical talks marking the centenary of Partition and the establishment of Northern Ireland.  These talks will be led by Dr Éamon Phoenix, political historian, columnist and broadcaster, who will be joined by a number of academic historians from the North and South over four Monday nights from 13 September to 4 October 2021. 

 

Welcoming the announcement of the webinar series, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said, "This webinar series is an opportunity for people of all traditions to engage with our shared history.  The presentations, expertly put together by Dr Éamon Phoenix, will allow for the story of the coming into being, and development, of Northern Ireland to be examined and analysed while critically assessing the role of the Churches, and others, in that respect.  On behalf of the Northern Bishops, I invite those with an interest in Church, society, politics and history to join us in helping to unravel further this complex and sometimes contentious story.”

 

"We are grateful for the funding we have received from the Northern Ireland Office and the National Lottery Heritage Fund which will enable the sharing of untold stories about important aspects of our history and to help bring the community together at this important moment.”

 

From next week, the programme of talks will be delivered online via Zoom over four Monday evenings from 7.00pm - 9.00pm, as follows: 

 

Monday 13 September 2021: ‘The path to partition and the creation of Northern Ireland 1900-1922’ with Dr Éamon Phoenix and Ann Donnelly of the Northern Ireland Screen drawing on the historical newsreels of the period. 

 

Monday 20 September 2021: ‘A difficult birth: political background and sectarian violence 1918-1922’ with Dr Alan Parkinson, Jim McDermott and Dr Éamon Phoenix. 

 

Monday 27 September 2021: ‘The formative years: the Catholic Church, the nationalist minority and the Northern Ireland state 1921-25’ with Dr Mary Harris, Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, Dr Sean Farren and Dr Éamon Phoenix. 

 

Monday 4 October 2021: ’The Catholic Church, Northern Nationalism and the Unionist State from the Boundary Commission to the Welfare State and the Troubles, c. 1925-75’ with Dr Mary Harris, Dr Russell Rees and Dr Éamon Phoenix. 

 

Each week’s webinar will include a question and answer session.  The aim is to facilitate a respectful, cross-community discussion on this key historical period, its legacy and consider its lessons for a society moving forward post-conflict.

 

Each of the webinars are free of charge but registration is required in advance by email to cjp@iecon.ie.  The Zoom link will be sent out in advance of each webinar.

 

For more information see www.catholicbishops.ie