Local writer and documentary maker becomes Westmeath's 'historian in residence'

Ian Kenneally, an author, historian, and documentary maker who lives near Mount Temple, has been appointed 'Historian in Residence' as part of Westmeath County Council's Decade of Centenaries programme.

He will hold the role from this month until November, and will be available to liaise with local groups throughout Westmeath during the residency, providing assistance or advice regarding the history of the county in 1920 and the online commemoration of events.

Publications by Ian (pictured above) include ‘The Paper Wall: Newspapers and Propaganda in Ireland, 1919-1921’, ‘From the Earth, a Cry: The Story of John Boyle O'Reilly’, and ‘Courage and Conflict: Forgotten Stories of the Irish at War’.

He has also contributed to a variety of books including the ‘Atlas of the Irish Revolution’, edited the very popular weekly series, ‘The Revolution Papers’, and has contributed articles to numerous newspapers and magazines.

In addition, he has researched and scripted many documentaries, which have been broadcast on Midlands 103, RTÉ Radio One, and other stations in Ireland and abroad. He has also contributed to television documentaries on BBC and TG4.

Among his radio documentaries are ‘The Cry of the Dreamer’, ‘You are to be Shot at Daybreak’, ‘The Story of Custume Barracks’ and ‘A Tale of Fenian Dreams’. Recently, an American film production company purchased the movie rights to his work on John Boyle O’Reilly

Ian has a master’s degree from UCC and is a doctoral student in NUI Galway. He has studied and written about Westmeath during the War of Independence and he will ensure that, while the commemorative programme will align with national policy, it will focus on County Westmeath and its environs.

Ultimately, the goal of the residency is to provide the public with a trustworthy and enlightening source of information on Westmeath during 1920.

More details about his work can be found at www.iankenneally.com and he can be contacted by emailing: historian@westmeathcoco.ie

The residency is supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative, in partnership with Westmeath County Council.