Arra Historical & Archaeological Society

Our third lecture in the winter/spring series is coming up on Thursday, March 23, at 8pm in Reidy’s in Newtown.

It is titled ‘The relocation of St Lua's Oratory as part of the Shannon Electric Scheme’ by Dr Niamh Nic Ghabahann.

As a result of the Shannon Scheme works in the 1920s, St Lua's ancient church on Friars Island on the River Shannon was predicted to be flooded over and likely washed away. It was decided to move it from its original position in the middle of the Shannon to the grounds of St Flannan's RC Church in 1929. The history of this project provides an interesting look into how and why it was done, and also to the value placed on the past/archaeology. The talk also looks at the different personalities involved in the project and how their influence was felt.

Dr Niamh Nic Ghabahann is a senior lecturer in the Department of History at University of Limerick. Her areas of interest in research include Ireland's medieval architecture and Roman Catholic architecture in Ireland between 1828 and 1936.

It is free for members and €5 for non-members.