North Westmeath Historical Society to host weekend of talks on local politicians

North Westmeath Historical Society are holding a series of free talks in Castlepollard on the weekend of Friday November 7 to Sunday November 9. The general theme of the talks is ‘Recalling the lives of some Local Politicians’, and the talks will examine the lives and political careers of three men who represented the people of Longford Westmeath in Dáil Éireann for many years.

The three politicians under the microscope, so to speak, are: MJ Kennedy, Fianna Fail TD, 1927-1964; Charles Fagan, Fine Gael TD, 1933-1961; and Gerry L’estrange, Fine Gael TD, 1965-1987.

As usual, everyone is invited and there will be light refreshments after each talk.

The first talk is in Hotel Castle Varagh on Friday November 7 at 8pm, and John Fagan will give a talk on his grandfather Charles Fagan. On Saturday November 8, Bill Ryan will give a talk on MJ Kennedy [Joe] in the Parish Centre at 8pm; and on Sunday, in Hotel Castle Varagh at 3pm, Ruth Illingworth will explore the life and times of that most colourful politician, Gerry L’estrange.