Meath historical society mark 100 years
100 years after the founding of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society in Mullingar in 1918, members and officers of the Society gathered in Mullingar Cathedral for a Mass celebrated by Most Rev Dr Michael Smith.
In welcoming the Society and his fellow patrons - Dr Edel Breathnach (CEO Discovery Programme), Professor George Eogan (Knowth archaeologist) and Hon. Thomas Pakenham (Tullynally Castle) - to Mullingar, Bishop Smith explained that of the fourteen members of the original founding group, nine were priests of the diocese of Meath, including the renowned Irish scholar, Fr. Paul Walsh.
At the Mass in Mullingar, music to accompany the liturgy was provided on harp and guitar by the President of the Society, Kieran Cummins, while bidding prayers were read by John McCullen (vice-President), Julitta Clancy (PRO), Seamus MacGabhann (former Editor), Anne O’Reilly (former Treasurer), Noel French (Council member) and John Clancy (former President).
Also present at the celebrations were Dr Raghnall O Floinn (Director of the National Museum), Ciaran Mangan (Meath Co Librarian), Ruth Illingworth (Mullingar historian), Frank Cogan (Council member and former Ambassador), Marie Cosgrave (Council member), Marguerite Ward (Nobber), Jack Conway (Longwood), Denis McCarthy (Kells), relatives of deceased Council members and many other members and guests of the Society.