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A major lecture and the republishing of significant documents are the main plans announced by the Presbyterian Historical Society to mark the bi-centenary of the 1798 Rebellion and the United Irishmen.
'Many Presbyterians and indeed Presbyterian Ministers were caught up on both sides in the '98,' explained Dr John McKee, joint secretary of the Society, ' and we felt it important to mark this bi-centenary so that people could learn something of Irish history but also judge for themselves the rights and wrongs of the United Irishmen.'
Dr ATQ Stewart, formerly reader in Irish History at Queen's University, Belfast, will deliver the Robert Allen Memorial lecture on the subject '1798 and the modesty of History' and is expected to consider the story of the United Irishmen and the role that people's religion played in determining their attitude to the issues of the day. The lecture will take place in Union College, Belfast on 7 May.
In the Ireland of the 18th century it was the members of the non-established churches, largely Presbyterian and Roman Catholic who were discriminated against by government and landlord alike. Despite this many Presbyterians were still inclined to support the status quo but there were significant numbers who joined the United Irishmen to press the case for a more equitable society. Prominent Presbyterians like Henry Joy McCracken and Dr William Drennan were part of the leadership alongside Wolf Tone. In the subsequent violent rebellion Presbyterian fought Presbyterian
"Ulster Biographies" by WT Latimer told the story of six of those Presbyterians. It was first published in 1897 and for the bi-centenary the Historical Society is to reprint it and add one additional biography. Included are the lives of such well known characters as Henry Joy McCracken, Rev William Steel Dickson and Rev James Porter, minister of Greyabbey who was hanged in front of his meeting house because of his involvement. The reprint will be available in the spring along with a series of pamphlets by modern historians giving their views on the '98.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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