Ormond Historical Society lecture on the Spanish Flu

Ormond Historical Society are excited to present a talk on Ireland and the Spanish Flu Pandemic next Monday, December 3rd, at 8pm in the Abbey Court Hotel.

The talk will be given by Dr Ida Milne, lecturer in European History in Carlow College.

The 1918 flu pandemic resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of people globally and may have killed up to 5% of the world’s population. Ireland did not escape the ravages of the flu and anyone familiar with their family history will note the number of deaths of young and otherwise healthy relatives that occurred in the period 1918 to 1921.

It is estimated conservatively that 20,000 Irish people died from flu with another 800,000 infected during the three-year period, with young adults disproportionately affected.

Dr Ida Milne is an expert in the Spanish Flu Pandemic and has recently published a book on the flu in Ireland titled 'Stacking the Coffins'.

We are anticipating a fascinating talk on this tragedy with an insight into the effects locally in the Ormond region. The talk is open to all. Entry fee for non-members is €5.