Faction fighting lecture in Moate

topical subject in a historical context! On Monday next, April 20th, In the Grand Hotel, at 8.15pm, Moate Museum and Historical Society will host a lecture entitled Faction Fighting in Ireland in the 19th Century to be presented by Vera Hughes, Vice President of the Society. Organised fights between opposing factions was a general feature of early 19th century Ireland. These fights usually took place at fairs or other meeting places when drink was in abundance and the main topics of conversation were the price of cattle, the weather and the fight that was about to commence. No fair, market, pattern-day or any public gathering was complete without its faction fight. The lecture will be an examination of the origins and background to this type of fighting, quoting instances that occurred in the country in general and in Westmeath in particular. The lecture is open to non members.