Lecture in honour of late Galway historian Peadar O'Dowd

The late Peadar O'Dowd with family and friends after being awarded an honorary degree at the University of Galway for his work in heritage and history. | Joe O'Shaughnessy.

placeholder image — The late Peadar O'Dowd with family and friends after being awarded an honorary degree at the University of Galway for his work in heritage and history. | Joe O'Shaughnessy.

Historian Peadar O'Dowd and his tireless work to preserve Galway’s archaeological and architectural heritage, will be honoured by the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society (GAHS) next Monday night, May 18, with a lecture in his memory.

Peadar who wrote a weekly column in the Connacht Tribune, died in January 2024. He was a long-time secretary of GAHS and the group will pay tribute to his work and his memory, when Dr Jackie Uí Chionna will speak on 'The History of the Galway Salmon Fishery under the ownership of the Ashworth Family, 1852–1954'.

Dr Uí Chionna will examine the stewardship of the Galway Fishery under three generations of the Lancashire family who were instrumental in the development of aquaculture in Ireland, but in the process came into conflict with local anglers and landlords – as well as poachers – when they enforced their exclusive fishing rights to the Corrib in the courts.

Jackie Uí Chionna, who collaborated with Peadar on several projects, teaches history at the University of Galway. Her books include biography of Galway merchant and industrialist 'Máirtín Mór McDonogh' (2016) and 'The Queen of Codes: the secret life of Emily Anderson: Britain’s greatest female code breaker' (2023), which was shortlisted for the prestigious Elizabeth Longford Prize.

This lecture is on Monday 18th May, at 8pm, in the city's Harbour Hotel and all are welcome.