The Irish contribution to American military history will be explored at the Princess Grace Irish Library on Thursday 12th November, when writer Patrick Downes gives a talk at 7pm.
Taking place during the 250th anniversary year of the American Declaration of Independence, the lecture will draw on his upcoming book, For Valour and Heritage: The Irish Story of America’s Medal of Honor.
Downes will examine the lives of Irish-born recipients of America’s highest military decoration for valour, considering how they came to serve and what became of them afterwards, including their roles in the police forces, fire services, and civic institutions.
IRISH CONNECTIONS
The lecture will trace a history spanning from the American Civil War to Vietnam, exploring questions of courage, migration, and belonging through experiences of those who left Ireland for America.
Based in Dublin, Downes writes and speaks about military history, with a particular interest in the Irish connections behind major awards for valour. He also chairs the Lucas Foundation, named after Rear-Admiral Charles Davis Lucas, whose action in 1854 was the first to earn the Victoria Cross.
Downes is the library’s November writer-in-residence, supported by The Ireland Funds Monaco. The programme gives literary and academic writers born or living on the island of Ireland a month to develop an ongoing project while using the library’s collections.
NOVEMBER BOOK CLUB
The library will also host its next monthly book club on Tuesday 24th November at 2pm, with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby selected for discussion.
Led by author Martin Lake and library director Paula Farquharson, the session welcomes both readers and those interested in hearing about the novel before reading it. A Zoom link will be available for remote participants.
Library membership is not required to attend events. Those interested in the book club can contact info@pgil.mc, while further information about Downes’ talk is available on the library’s website.
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Photo source: Princess Grace Irish Library