In September 2021, Westmeath County Council launched an online exhibition – everest1921.com – created by Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally, to commemorate Howard-Bury’s leadership of the first reconnaissance expedition to Mount Everest in 1921. This short film highlights aspects of the exhibition through a series of interviews with Frank Nugent – historian, mountaineer and deputy […]
In the latest edition of our podcast series, Ian Kenneally speaks with Zoë Reid, Senior Conservator in the National Archives of Ireland, and Dr John Gibney of the Royal Irish Academy about the upcoming exhibition: ‘The Treaty, 1921: Records from the Archives’. The exhibition gives the public an opportunity to see some of the most […]
Our podcasts are now available on Spotify and other sites via https://anchor.fm/wcchistorian. The episodes cover aspects of life in Westmeath and Ireland during the Irish War of Independence and the years 1919-1921. Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 18/10/2021
As part of the Historian in Residence programme, we are developing a booklet of sources related to Westmeath during the years 1918-1923. Such sources are scattered through many libraries and archives in Ireland, internationally and online. Mullingar public library also holds a number of documents from the period, some of which we have highlighted during […]
In the latest edition of our podcast series, Ian Kenneally speaks with historian and mountaineer Frank Nugent about Charles Howard-Bury and the 1921 reconnaissance mission to Mount Everest. Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 11/10/2021
Westmeath Libraries Bookclub has been meeting online on Zoom during lockdown. Our most recent meeting was held on 30th September where we discussed The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (search the library catalogue or download the ebook/eAudio). There was a small turnout, but all the comments at the meeting and on our facebook group were very positive. […]
In the latest of our guest posts, we discuss the Truce period in and around Athlone. Dr John Burke takes up the story. With the instatement of the Truce between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British Crown forces at twelve noon on 11 July 1922, the search for Irish independence entered a new phase. […]
New digital exhibition – everest1921.com On Tuesday, 21 September 2021, the new digital exhibition – everest1921.com – was launched in Belvedere House by renowned mountaineer and author, Frank Nugent. The exhibition commemorates the 1921 reconnaissance mission to Mount Everest, led by Charles Howard-Bury, who grew up in Charleville Castle and who resided at Belvedere House […]
“Just before dark a very beautiful and lofty peak appeared to the Southwards. Our drivers called it Chomo Uri (The Goddess of the Turquoise Peak) and we had many discussions as to what mountain this was. In the morning, after taking its bearings carefully, we decided that this could be no other than Mount Everest. […]
To book click on the relevant link below or contact your local library for further information. You can also phone library HQ on 044 9332162 or email library@westmeathcoco.ie Athlone Library - Book a table | Login to the PCs with your library card number | Ask at the desk to use the meeting room.Castlepollard Library - Book a Table | Login to the PCs […]