History talk: The Last Lords of Ormond

Silvermines Historical Society will host a talk in Dolla on Wednesday February 17th. The talk will be presented by SHS member Paddy Ryan of Malahide (and Killeen) and is entitled: 'The Kennedys of Pollanorman – The Last Lords of Ormond – the survival of a Catholic noble family through the turbulence of eighteenth century Ireland.'

It is generally believed that few Catholic families retained lands during the Penal Laws of eighteenth century Ireland but County Tipperary had a fair sprinkling of them.

Paddy Ryan, who holds a Masters in History from Trinity College, carried out much research on them for his thesis, 'Catholic Landed Gentry in Eighteenth Century Ireland'. This was mainly through the family papers of the Ryans of Inch, near Thurles, who were large land holders throughout the period and into living memory.

The Ryan papers also revealed information on other Catholic landed families like the Kennedys of Pollanorman, whose large estate was sold to the Going family in the mid eighteenth century. Paddy has unearthed much information about this grouping of Catholic landed families who, in living lives to the full, kept their heads below the parapet away from politics and insurrection.

Some later descendants of historical importance would over a century later emerge from these families-- figures like Thomas Francis Meagher and Richard Dalton Williams.

The talk will take place in The Eagle's Nest, Dolla on Wednesday February 17th at 8pm. All are welcome.