The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives’ Brown Bag Lunch Series welcomes John Conlan. John, who has dual Irish/United States citizenship, is a retired Montana educator and past recipient of the BSB Public Archives’ Carrie Johnson Fellowship, where he researched the Robert Emmet Literary Association. John is also a radio DJ and host of a Celtic music program, "The Rocky Road to Dublin," that airs weekly on Butte Community Radio Station, KBMF 102.5 FM, and a history series, "The Harp Without the Crown."
“The 1900s was the century that brought Ireland its independence and it became a Republic. Many Irish American organizations, such as the Clan na Gael and Friends of Irish Freedom, played an important role in providing funds, as well as moral and physical support for Ireland as it moved toward independence. From 1916 to 1926, Butte played an important role in this process by establishing the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom, an organization dedicated to raising funds for the Irish Relief Fund, Irish Victory Fund Drive, and the Irish Bond Drive. The organization also was involved in public information and educational campaigns which brought Irish activists to Butte.” – John Conlan
The discussion will cover the Butte Branch of Friends of Irish Freedom's role in fundraising, public information, and education campaigns, and some of the important participants that helped with making Irish independence possible. Also, the talk will detail the connections the Butte Friends of Irish Freedom had with other Irish American groups throughout America. Please join us on Wednesday, March 13th, to learn more about the Butte branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom and the fight for Irish independence.
The Brown Bag presentation will begin at noon and will last about an hour. The presentation will be held in the auditorium at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives located at 17 W. Quartz Street. Guests are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Coffee and water will be provided.
Brown Bag Lunches are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Upcoming lectures will focus on topics of local interest. Contact the Archives at (406)782-3280 for more information.
