Easter controversy to form basis of new history lecture

Delivered by Dr Immo Warntjes of Queen’s University, it is to be held at O’Fiaich Library in Armagh on March 2.

A fascinating lecture on Blathmac and Fir Rois delivered by Dr Brian Lambkin proved a huge success and kept the sizeable attendance at the Ó Fiaich Library fully absorbed throughout a very comprehensive and well illustrated talk.

Blathmac and Fir Rois: the contribution of Canon Diarmuid Mac Íomhair (1905-83) was the topic that evolved into a fascinating exploration of the poems of Blathmac and their interpretation.

Dr Brian Lambkin gained the attention of the audience by casually inviting his listeners to contrast the recognition of what we know of the Book of Kells with that of the Blathmac’s poems.

Canon Mac Íomhair’s view that “the territory of Fir Rois contains a stone circle, like at Newgrange, but on an immensely vaster scale”. Fir Rois was the (Louth/Monaghan) kingdom to which Blathmac belonged.

Dr Lambkin is Director of the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies at the Ulster-American Folk Park and a former Principal of Lagan College.

The subsequent lengthy discussion, which Dr Lambkin seemed to relish, was conducted by Monsignor Raymond Murray, Chairman of Armagh Diocesan Historical Society and the vote of thanks was given by Dr Eoin Magennis.