The annual James Fintan Lalor School took place in Portlaoise each year from 2013  – 2017 to honour the writings of Laois-born writer and patriot, James Fintan Lalor, who also gives his name to a street in Portlaoise.

Historian Diarmaid Ferritter chairing a session of the 2016 JFL School

JFL School 2016

In 2016 the school took place at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October. The full programme of the event is here.

Our podcasts of the panel debates are available to listen to on Soundcloud:

Panel One:

SOAP BOX: Brendon Deacy, Artist: “164 Years Later: James Fintan and Peter Lalor Reunited in 2016”

Debate “1916: What are we remembering and why?”

Chair: Diarmaid Ferriter, UCD
Panellists:
Fergal McGarry, Professor of Irish History at Queen’s University Belfast
Conor Brady, Columnist with the Sunday Times
Catriona Crowe, Head of Special Projects, National Archives of Ireland
Eve Morrison, Historian & Author

Panel Two:

SOAP BOX: Lorraine Comer, Head of Education, the National Museum of Ireland: “1916 Commemoration: A National Museum Viewpoint”

HISTORY IRELAND HEDGE SCHOOL
Panel Debate:- Were the ideals of the 1916 Rising subsequently betrayed?
Chair: Tommy Graham, Editor, History Ireland
Panellists:
Robert Ballagh, Artist
Conor McNamara, NUI Galway 1916 Scholar in Residence
Mary McAuliffe, Author & Assistant Professor at UCD School of Women’s Studies
Salome Mbugua

James Fintan Lalor School 2015

The full James Fintan Lalor School for 2015 can be viewed on our you tube channel. Clicking the link below brings you to teh playlist for the 2015 School, starting with the keynote address by Prof Diarmaird Ferriter “1916: What are we commemorating and why?”.

James Fintan Lalor School 2014

For all panel debates and speakers in the 2014 James Fintan Lalor School, click the link below to start the 2014 playlist on youtube.

James Fintan Lalor School 2013

Highlights of the 2013 School are below.

For all panel debates and speakers in the 2013 James Fintan Lalor School, click the link below to start the 2013 playlist on youtube.