Dún Bleisce Historical & Literary Society

21/04/2026

📢 Upcoming Talk – Doon Historical and Literary Society

We are delighted to invite you to our next history talk:

“The Lloyds of Towerhill, Portnard, Beechmount and Meldrum: Middlemen, Clergy, Politicians and Litigants”

🗓 Monday 27th April
🕗 8.00pm
📍 Father McGrath Hall, Doon Community Centre

The talk will be delivered by John Hassett, who will explore the fascinating history and influence of the Lloyd family across the region.

All are very welcome to attend.

☕ Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

We look forward to seeing you there.

25/03/2026

Doon Historical Society is delighted to host an illustrated talk next Monday, 30th March at 8pm in the Father McGrath Hall, Doon.

Local historian Veronica Walsh will present “The Auction of Fr. Hickey’s Cow in Bilboa, April 1832”, exploring a fascinating event from the Doon tithe war period.

This promises to be an engaging and insightful evening for anyone with an interest in local history.

All are very welcome. Please come along and feel free to share.

10/02/2026

🕯️ Politics, Paupers & Commemoration 🕯️
A History of Mt. St. Lawrence’s Cemetery

What can a cemetery tell us about power, poverty, and how communities remember their dead?

Join us for a fascinating illustrated talk exploring the hidden social and political history of Mt. St. Lawrence’s Cemetery — from paupers’ graves to public commemoration, and everything in between.

📍 Doon Community Centre (Fr. McGrath Hall)
📅 Monday, 16th February - 8pm
⏰ (Evening talk – all welcome)

This talk offers a compelling glimpse into local history, shedding light on lives often forgotten and the stories etched into stone.

History lovers, locals, and the curious alike — you’re very welcome to attend.

08/01/2026

📚 Illustrated Talk in Doon – Honouring a Local Nursing Hero

All are very welcome to an illustrated talk by John Coman on the remarkable life of Mary (Molly) Fleming G.M., a nurse from Clonganhue, Cappawhite, whose bravery during the German Blitz in London in 1940 saved the lives of 17 patients.

🕰️ The talk will take place at 8.00pm on Monday 26th in Fr McGrath Hall, Doon.

Mary Fleming, along with Senior Assistant Nurse Aileen Turner, repeatedly re-entered a burning hospital that was close to collapse, rescuing bed-ridden patients through smoke, fire and escaping steam. For her courage, she was awarded the George Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace in 1941.

Mary later returned home to Cappawhite, where she cared for her parents and worked the family farm. Her story has since been recorded in plays, radio programmes, articles and books.

This free talk is based on John Coman’s recent research for the Tipperary Historical Society Journal and marks 85 years since this extraordinary act of bravery.

☕ Tea and refreshments will be served afterwards.

A powerful local story, well worth attending.

22/12/2025

🎄 Dún Bleisce Historical Society – Annual Table Quiz 🎄

Join us for a great night of fun, facts, and festive cheer at our Annual Table Quiz in Moore’s Bar, Doon 🧠🍻

📅 Saturday 27th December 2025
🕤 9:30pm
📍 Moore’s Bar, Doon
💶 €40 per table (table of 4)

There’ll be a raffle on the night and, as always, a brilliant atmosphere and plenty of laughs guaranteed. A perfect way to catch up with friends over the Christmas period while supporting your local historical society.

Tables fill quickly, so gather your team and spread the word — we’d love to see you there! 🎅✨

12/11/2025

Wonderful News for Doon Parish Choir & Community! 🎶

We’re delighted to share that “Celebrating the Heritage of the Victorian pipe organ Ó Riada Mass”, held at St Patrick's Church Doon Co Limerick has been announced by the Heritage Council as the winner of the Limerick County Council Heritage Award for 2025.

This special project brought together Fr. Jimmy Donnelly, the Doon Parish Choir, and members of Dún Bleisce Historical & Literary Society in a heartfelt celebration of our local heritage and music. Congratulations to everyone involved for their dedication and creativity in bringing this to life.

You can watch more below:
🎥 About the Award: https://youtu.be/eZwPasCwj4s
🎵 Organ Relocation Story: https://youtu.be/Hmm0CvtqPmU?si=5X9yLet56maM2Xra
🎶 Full Ó Riada Mass Performance: https://youtu.be/GJRdG_21jG8?si=07BTYz4ZynQniyxv

A wonderful recognition of community spirit, music, and heritage in Doon. 💛

Doon Parish Mass Old Pipe Organ from Convent

06/11/2025

📣 Upcoming Talk – Community Centre

We now have details confirmed for our next talk, and we’ll also post this on Facebook.

🗓 Monday 1st December
⏰ 8pm
📍 Community Centre

Our speaker will be Micheál Ó hAodha.

Talk title:
Holy wells and pilgrimages to them, as described in Irish oral tradition.

⸻

Brief introduction to the theme:

Holy wells have always been considered sacred sites where pre-Christian and Christian beliefs merge, symbolising healing, renewal, and divine presence in nature. Pilgrimages and visits to these wells often included prayer, offerings, and ritual circuits or “rounds” of the well — traditions that reflected deep communal faith and the continuity of long-held spiritual belief and practice.

All welcome.

22/10/2025

📣 Upcoming Talk – Doon Historical Society Winter Series

Join us for the first talk in our winter series this Monday, 3rd November at 8pm in the Doon Community Centre.

We’re delighted to welcome John Connors, author of “Seán Hogan, His Life: A Troubled Journey”, who will give a fascinating talk titled:
“The Rescue of Seán Hogan at Knocklong Railway Station.”

This promises to be an engaging evening exploring one of the most dramatic events of Ireland’s War of Independence.

All are welcome — come along, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of local history and discussion.

📍 Doon Community Centre
🕗 Monday, 3rd November – 8pm

27/08/2025

✨Organ installation Mass Photographs

Lovely photographs from the night of the Mass in St Patrick's Church Doon Co Limerick for the installation of the organ. Wonderful memories, shared connections, and a truly special occasion for everyone who attended. Take a look at the photographs below published in Limerick Leader. Thank you all once again for your support.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16R3dGWiAA/

The Doon Victorian pipe organ, relocated from the former Convent of Mercy, has being installed and commissioned at St Patrick's Parish Church, Doon, County Limerick

27/08/2025

✨Organ Photographs Collection

A beautiful collection of photographs connected with the organ in Doon Parish Church. These priceless images capture the organ’s role in our community through the years and its importance in parish life. We’re delighted to be able to share them with you all. Take a look here:

Dún Bleisce Historical & Literary Society in Collaboration with Doon Parish Choir & The Heritage Council present the restoration and installation in St Pat...