Benevolent Irish Society - Lecture Series Collection

: Is There An Irish Personality?; This is a lecture by William McGurk titled “Is There An Irish Personality?” where he discusses Irish myths, historic origins, Irish independence, church, famine, farming, consequences of Irish culture, and priests. The lecture also discusses CS Lewis, politics, alcohol, suffering, families, Murphy’s law and celebrations of life, among other topics as they relate to the personality or the Irish.

: James Heran Fitzgerald: School Teacher, Song Maker, and Patriot; This is a lecture by John Cousins titled “James Heran Fitzgerald: School Teacher, Song Maker, and Patriot”, where he discusses prominent Irishmen James Heran Fitzgerald and Frank O’Halloran, lots of PEI, Father Patrick Doyle, education and schooling, and reads from an old diary. John Cousin’s lecture is presented partially in song, with music from and about Larry Gorman. The lecture also discusses the Charlottetown Herald, Summerside Journal, poetry, independence and various other topics relating to James Heran Fitzgerald.

: John MacIntosh and the Struggle for Tenants Rights; This is a lecture by Jenny MacQuaid titled “John MacIntosh and the Struggle for Tenants Rights”, where Jenny discusses John MacIntosh, history and immigration, marriage, occupations, politics, religion, proprietors and governors. The lecture includes also discussion about elections, landlords, tenants, and various other topics relating to the life of John MacIntosh.

: Katherine Hughes; This is a lecture by Padraig O’Siadhail titled “Katherine Hughes”, where he discusses Katherine Hughes life and career, family background and history, formative life events, Canadian women in politics, Katherine’s life journeys, Ireland, Canada, Charlottetown, activism and other events relating to Katherine Hughes’ life.

: Local Habitation: The Irish Players; This is a lecture by Kay Diviney titled “A Local Habitation: The Irish Players”, discussing poets and imagination, theaters, history, playwrights, performances, reviews of plays and theater performances, as well as actors and actresses involved in theater.

: Love Gone Bad? Edward Whelan and the Irish Catholics of PEI; Edward MacDonald discusses the topic called “A Love Gone Bad? Edward Whelan and the Irish Catholics of PEI” at the B.I.S. Irish Heritage Lecture Series. In his lecture Edward speaks about Edward Whelan who was a renowned newspaper orator and journalist and his relationship with Irish people. Edward places a lot of emphasis and details on Whelan’s political and religious views as they were thought to be the mean contributors to the turmoil and tension he received from the Irish community which in the end resulted in his downfall.

: Macabre Tales of the Irish Supernatural; This is a lecture by Kenneth Nilsen titled “Macabre Tales of the Irish Supernatural”, where he discusses Irish Gaelic, plays a video of Gaelic speaking, and tells stories of superstitions, Lady Augusta Gregory, witches, Joe Heeney, Irish folklore, importance of baptism, and other tales to do with folklore and supernatural happenings surrounding the Irish.

: Magnificent Gift Declined; This is a lecture by Leonard Cusack titled “A Magnificent Gift Declined”, where he discusses growing up in Emyvale, Charles Dalton and his silver fox breeding,, the donation of a hospital/sanitorium, healthcare in PEI, lawyer’s involvement with hospitals and other stories to do with hospitals and healthcare.

: Modern and Ancient Celts; This is a lecture by Michael Linkletter titled “Modern and Ancient Celts”, where he discusses locations named after Celtic origins, Gallish inscriptions, linguistic, archaeological and documentary evidence. The lecture also includes talk of cloth and tartans, languages and their dying out and being revived, and other historical facts relating to the Celts.

: PEI's Prince: James McGuigan; Charles Campbell presents the topic “Prince Edward’s Prince: James C. McGuigan (1894-1974)” to the B.I.S. Irish Heritage Lecture Series. Campbell speaks about the early life of Cardinal McGuigan growing up in Hunter River Parish where he was educated as young boy. He then discusses post-school education where he was educated at Prince of Wales College and thereafter entered seminary in Quebec. Charles Campbell then gives a detail timeline of Cardinal McGuigan serving as assistant Bishop to Bishop O’leary and then onto being “crowned” Archbishop of Regina until his death.

: Padraic Colum and The Drama of Story; This is a lecture by Kay Diviney titled “Padraic Colum and The Drama of Story”, where she discusses Colum’s writing and history of poetry and theater, his identifying with peasantry, metaphorical and literal meanings. This lecture also details the books and writings by Padraic Colum and gives an overview of his life and influence.

: Prince Edward Island Folklore: An Overview with Celtic Overtones; This is a lecture by John Cousins titled “Prince Edward Island Folklore: An Overview with Celtic Overtones”, where he John discusses folklore and customs, Celtic origins, Tom Dunn, Scottish and Gaelic influences, songs brought from Boston. This lecture is presented partially through playing music and singing.

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