The late Peadar O'Dowd, a prolific historian who worked tirelessly to preserve Galway’s archaeological and architectural heritage, was also a long-time secretary of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
As a tribute to his work and his memory, the group is holding a special, commemorative lecture in the Harbour Hotel on Monday, May 18, at 8 pm, .
The speaker is Jackie Uí Chionna, and her topic is ‘The History of the Galway Salmon Fishery under the ownership of the Ashworth Family, 1852–1954’.
Dr Uí Chionna will examine stewardship of the Galway Fishery by three generations of this Lancashire family - instrumental in the development of aquaculture in Ireland. The Ashworths came into conflict with local anglers and landlords – as well as poachers – when they enforced their exclusive fishing rights to the Corrib in the courts.
Dr Uí Chionna, who collaborated with Peadar O’Dowd in several projects, teaches History at the University of Galway. Her many publications include a biography of Galway merchant and industrialist ‘Máirtín Mór’ McDonogh, He Was Galway (2016 ), and more recently The Queen of Codes: the secret life of Emily Anderson: Britain’s greatest female code breaker (2023 ), which was shortlisted for the prestigious Elizabeth Longford Prize.
See www.GAHS.ie
