Ledwidge talk in Louth museum

The life of renowned World War 1 poet, Francis Edward (F.E.) Ledwidge will be the subject of a lecture by author Miriam O’Gara Kilmurry at the County Museum, Dundalk on Wednesday, 17th May 2017 at 7.30pm.

The lecture, entitled ‘Eire’s WWI War Poet: F. E. Ledwidge’, will explore the life of Francis Ledwidge and in particular, his poems written from the front lines of World War 1. Born in Meath in 1887, Ledwidge wrote poetry from a young age. A member of the Gaelic League and a committed nationalist, he was among the first to join the Irish Volunteers. At the outbreak of World War 1, Ledwidge enlisted in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and continued to write from the front lines. In this lecture, Ledwidge scholar, Miriam O’Gara Kilmurry will focus on the writer as a true war poet.

Speaking about the event, curator of County Museum, Dundalk, Brian Walsh said: “Francis Ledwidge was one of the many, many Irish people who fought during World War 1. Though his military career was tainted by his demotion from lance corporal in 1916, his poetry has stood the test of time. He wrote of his pride at being a soldier in the service of Ireland and poignantly, whether he would find a soldier’s death.

Admission to the lecture is free. Refreshments will be provided.