Ormond Historical Society to host Dr George Cunningham lecture

Next Monday, March 5th, Ormond Historical Society will host a lecture by Dr George Cunningham.

'Tree Books, Tree Travels, Tree Lore' is the title of a wide-ranging illustrative and personal talk in which Dr George Cunningham will tree-travel from his midland home and around Ireland to the Pacific, the Caribbean and California.

Drawing on his own extensive tree-book collection, he will highlight some of his favourite volumes and writings. Touching briefly on trees in Irish history and historic tree places, he will conclude with his tree hopes for the future.


George Cunningham, FSA, D.Litt., (hc UL), M.Litt., MA (hc NUI Galway), author, historian, editor, publisher and bibliophile, is a former primary school principal and a community activist at many levels, not least the promotion of an awareness of trees.

Founder and life president of Roscrea Heritage Society/Centre; founder and editor of Roscrea People, 1974 to date.
Now a national director of Crann, he has revived its SW Midlands branch, incorporating it into Roscrea Tidy Towns. He has taught and lectured at all levels and gave 17 years of public service to the Governing Authority, many years as Deputy Chair, of UL and its library. He directed the Roscrea Conference (1987 to 2017); the Spring conference in April 2017 was the 60th consecutive gathering at the Cistercian Abbey. '60 at Roscrea’, a commemorative volume celebrating the 60 conferences, is his latest book. At present he is directing a major heritage project on the Heritage of the Dovea Estate, Thurles - 'From Landlords to Genetics'.


Prominently associated all his life with all aspects of Irish heritage, a noted bibliophile, his personal library contains over 2,000 natural history volumes. He has written or edited some 16 books and hundreds of minor publications, mainly on the Irish midlands and on the Burren. Signed copies of some of his publications in print will be available on the night at special prices.

The talk, which is open to all, takes place in the Abbey Court Hotel on Monday 8pm. Admission for non-members: €5.