Join us in Celebrating 350 years

of a shared Quaker Heritage

21 27 July 2015Mountmellick & Rosenallis

Mountmellick Heritage Society

WILL

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George Fox

Dear Cousins and Friends: I wish to welcome each of you to theWilliam Edmundson and FriendsGathering Event. My thirty year plusjourney into family history has led meto this wonderful event happening inMountmellick, Laois, Ireland, July 21 - July 27, 2015. Research shows I am an 8th great grandson of William Edmundson who convened the first Quaker (Friends) Meeting in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland in 1654. In 1659, William Edmundson, a former Cromwellian soldier, removed from Lurgan to Rosenallis, Laois, Ireland to avoid the unfavorable climate surrounding his Quaker beliefs. Five other Quakers, Richard Jackson, John Edmundson, John Thompson, William Moon and John Pim, settled in Mountmellick with Edmundson. Mountmellick prospered from a population of 175 in 1659 to 4,577 in 1831. Prominent Quaker families such as the Pims, Bewleys, Beales and the Goodbodys developed a solid industrial base at Mountmellick. At that time, it was dubbed the Manchester of Ireland. Mountmellick is also known for its beautiful embroidery, commonly known as Mountmellick embroidery or work. Take full advantage of all the wonderful things to do in and around the area during your stay. From the History Trail and ancient historic structures, to the Slieve Bloom mountains, everyone can find something to call their own around this quaint Irish town. I look forward to meeting everyone during the Gathering, and hope you have a pleasant visit and meaningful experience in one of the friendliest places in Ireland. Warm regards,James E. Edmundson, Snr.Haymarket, Virginia, USA

xxxWELCOME

The William Edmundson Homecoming relies on the cooperation and support of a large number of individuals and organisations. The Committee would particularly like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Irish Society of Friends, members of the Quaker Community, the Heritage Council, Laois County Council and IPB Insurance.

We also acknowledge the support of Business Mountmellick, Kevin Byrne Photography,Comhaltas Ceoltir, Sean Conroy, Pat Culleton, Mick Dowling (of Slieve Bloom Association), James Edmundson Snr, Michael Feely, Charles Flanagan TD Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael Goodbody, MDA, Mountmellick Camera Club, Mountmellick Community Arts Centre, Mountmellick Community School, Parents Council and Larry Curtin, Mountmellick Library, Mountmellick Pipe Band, Mountmellick Tidy Towns, the Pim family, Rosenallis Community Centre, Slieve Bloom Coach Tours Ltd, Wolfe Tone Court, Sr. Eileen Cannon and Anne Sands, YM Committee, Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian Communities, invited speakers, chairpersons and contributors and all volunteers who helped out at events, residents and local businesses.

xxxACKNOWLEDGMENT

CHAIRMANS ADDRESSS

As Chairman of the Heritage Society in Mountmellick I am looking forward to the William Edmundson Homecoming Festival and I want to wish everybody involved a very successful and happy week.

My thanks to all the members of our committees for their contributions and work in preparation of the festival.

Bill Lawlor

Exhibitions

n 1631, Mountmellick became a Manor and Fair town,with business & industry thriving in the 1st half of the19th Century, earning the moniker The Manchester ofIreland. It was a thriving town with big houses and the bestGeorgian Square in the country. Out of the town camefamous families such as Bewleys, Pims, Walpoles,Goodbodies and the Jellicoes of Alexandra College,Dublin. That was then. So what about now. The industries have gone and the town is a much quieter place. But many of the old houses and much of the streetscapes remain recognisable from the old photographs. In this exhibition, members of the local camera club have tried to show these historical reminders of a life now gone and some of the changes too. We hope you enjoy the journey from Mountmellick past to Mountmellick present.

MOUNTMELLICK NOW & THEN Exhibition runs Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July 10am to 4pm

Mountmellick Community School, No Entry Charge

MDA MuseumThe main focus of the Museum is to conserve and display original pieces of Mountmellick Work (Embroidery) and to protect the memory of Mountmellicks rich Quaker industrial past. The museum will also have an exhibition on the Georgian Doors of Mountmellick and a Genealogy Room with Quaker records of births, marriages and deaths available.MDA Museum, Irishtown, 5 Entry Charge

Mountmellick Work & Bog OakAn extensive exhibition of traditional and contemporary Mountmellick Work from local families, including the Burns, Roe, Meredith, Duggan, Pim and Bailey collections, displayed alongside local bog-oak sculpture. Included are Out of the Ashes and In Flanders Fields by award-winning Mountmellick textile artist, Ann OBrien. Owenass Hall, Mountmellick, No Entry Charge

Exhibition runs from Wednesday 22 July to Saturday 25 July, 10am - 5pm

Art exhibition showcasing works by contrastinglocal artists.

PAINTINGS BY LOCAL ARTISTSExhibition runs Thursday 23 July to

Saturday 25 July 10am to 4pm

Wolfe Tone Court, OMoore Street. No Entry Charge

Open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Exhibitions

In the past sewing was a major part of all womens lives. Theoretically Quakers lived plainly but their samplers often tell another story. Elizabeth Pims 18th century medallion one is a riot of colour, while the Irish Quaker School girls samplers often have more colour, and more variety of alphabets and borders than their English counterparts.

QUAKER SAMPLERS Exhibition runs until Saturday 25 July, 5pmOfficial opening Tuesday 21 July, 9pm

Art Gallery, Mountmellick Public Library, No Entry Charge

Irelands most prominent Quaker photographer Jane Shackleton (1843-1909) is a direct descendant of William Edmundson. Jane is responsible for one of the largest collections of early photographs by a female photographer in Ireland. This exquisite body of work, first exhibited in Mountmellick in 2013, offers a unique overview of a bygone age.

JANE EDMUNDSON SHACKLETON Exhibition runs Wednesday 22 Julyto Saturday 25 July 10am to 5pm

Venue: Community School, Mountmellick. No Entry Charge

This is a spectacular exhibition of original Quaker needlework from 1777 to 1924, including quilts, coats, bonnets and embroidered stockings from Ireland, the UK and the USA. Many pieces have never been displayed before and come from private collections across the globe and the archives of the Friends Historical Library, Dublin.

Mountmellick & Early Needlework

Mountmellick Public Library, No Entry Charge

The Mountmellick Union workhouse was erected in 1842-4. Designed by the Poor Law Commissioners architect George Wilkinson, the building was based on one of his standard plans to accommodate 800 inmates. Mountmellick Workhouse also hired stores and at the peak of the Famine it held more than 1500 in total.

FAMINE Exhibition is open duringInformation Office Hours

Information Office, No Entry Charge

Exhibition runs Wednesday 22 Julyto Saturday 25 July 10am to 5pm

Lectures

For over 30 long years Jim has delved deep into his family history and travelled many thousands of miles to discover where his ancestors roots lie. Jim will talk about the times, the trials, the tribulations that brought him to here.

My Journey to Find William EdmundsonJames Edmundson Snr, VA, USA

Thursday 23 July, 7.30pmBalcony Theatre, Mountmellick Arts Centre, No Entry Charge

A charismatic preacher and talented organiser, William Edmundson lived to a ripe old age and died in 1712, leaving two legacies: a physical one as the burial ground on his farm at Rosenallis and a mental one in the form of an amazing collection of archives. At his instigation, written records have been kept from the start of births, marriages and deaths, of emigration and of the details of all the proceedings of the numerous committees that took care of the organisation. These have been carefully preserved throughout the centuries and form a unique archive.

The Irish Quaker Archive - a Legacy from William EdmundsonChristopher Moriarty, Curator, Friends Historical Library

Friday 24 July, 6.30pm, Balcony Theatre, Mountmellick Arts Centre. No Entry Charge

Glynn Douglas, a lifelong member of the Society of Friends will talk aboutQuaker witness to non-violence before, during and after the 1798 Rebellion with specific reference to Mountmellick and the other Quaker settlements in the Midlands. The address will include personal recollections from the period and quotations from Societys minutes of the time.

Friends & 1798Glynn Douglas, Friends Historical Library DublinChair: Mr. Teddy Fennelly, President Laois Heritage Society.

Saturday 25 July, 10.30am, Public Library. No Entry Charge

Former diplomat, special advisor and politician, back-channel to the Republican movement prior to the 1994 IRA ceasefire and subsequent peace negotiator Dr. Martin Mansergh will speak on the role of the Quakers and the Christian Churches more generally in the quest for peace. Dr. Mansergh will also give a summary overview of the peace process, including recent developments.

How far we have come The Northern Ireland Peace ProcessDr. Martin Mansergh, Chair: Mr. John Moloney, Former TD and Minister for Children

Saturday 25 July, 11.30am, Mountmellick Public Library. No Entry Charge

Walks

Guided tour of MountmellickMeeting at Information Office in OConnell Square.

Mountmellick Heritage Trail

Meeting at Friends Burial Ground 2pm-Sleeping Grounds (Friends Burial Ground) -Location of William Edmundsons house-Guided tour of St. Brigids cemetery-Tea & Coffee

Rosenallis Heritage Trail

with Mick Dowling of Slieve Bloom Association Meeting at Information Office in OConnell Square.

Walks in the Slieve Bloom Mountains

With Dick Fitzpatrick, Ricky Whelan, Meeting at the Bay Road

Bog Walk

Friday 24 July 2pm 5pm, No Charge

Wednesday 22 July 10am, 10.30am, 11am, No Charge

Wednesday 22 July 2pm, No Charge

Thursday 23 July 10am - FamilyFriday 24 July 10am Advanced, No Charge

Mountmellick Friends Summer School

The Cultural Heritage of the Quakers Conscience, Conflict and CommercialismIts with great pleasure that Mountmellick Heritage Society welcomes you to our very first summer school. Whether youre an interested amateur or an experienced historian, were sure youll find a conversation you just cant wait to be part of. These talks are open to all please come and join the conversation.

Summer School Programme:Thursday 23 July

08.30 08.50am Registration 08.50 09.00am Welcome 09.00 - 09.30am The archaeology of plantation-period settlement in Co. Laois Dr. James Lyttleton (Independant Scholar) 09.30 - 10.00am The Edmondson legacy of social justice on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and how it applies to the elimination of violence today Dr. Kathryn Seifert (Eastern Shore Psychology Services, Maryland)10.00 10.30am Refreshments10.30 11.00am The other Victorian Ireland - through the Lens of Jane W. Shackleton Chris Corlett (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) 11.00 11.30am Laois in long term historical perspective 1500-1800: an illustrated lecture Prof. Kevin Whelan (Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame)

11.30 12.15pm Open Discussion Chair: Michael Parsons (Heritage Council/ Laois Heritage Society)12.15 13.45pm Lunch (available in The Druid or local restaurants & cafs)13.45 14.15pm Famine pots and coffin ships John Cassidy (CIE Writsers Group)14.15 - 14.45pm Workhouses a place of work and refuge Trevor Stanley (Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, Laois)14.45 15.15pm Refreshments15.15 15.45pm Aspects of Mountmellick and Newtown School Joan Johnson (Member of the Quaker Historical Committee)15.45 - 16.15pm Mountmellicks Day in the Sun Roy Meredith (Mountmellick Heritage Society/ Laois Heritage Society)16.15 17.00pm Open Discussion Chair Larry OLoughlin (Teagasc)

Mountmellick Friends Summer School

Monday - Saturday9am - 6pm

Friday 24 July08.30 08.50am Registration08.50 09.00am Welcome09.00 - 09.30am The Quaker link to Fancroft Mill and ongoing conservation Marcus Sweeney (Fancroft Mill and Gardens / Mills and Millers of Ireland)09.30 - 10.00am Mountmellick Quakers in commerce and influence on education Noel Jenkins (Member of the Quaker Historical Committee)10.00 10.30am Refreshments10.30 11.00am Bewleys, coffee beans and common ownership Rachel M. Bewley-Bateman (Member of the Quaker Historical Committee)11.00 11.30am Quaker commerce as a factor in relief in the Great Famine Rob Goodbody (Member of the Quaker Historical Committee)11.30 12.15pm Open Discussion Chair: Dr. Eoin Sullivan (Convenor/ Laois Heritage Forum) Venue: Mountmellick Community Arts CentreBooking Full School: 15, 10 per dayEarly registration via the registration page our website www.edmundsonhomecoming.com is recommended. Cheques, made payable to Mountmellick Heritage Society, can be posted to Mountmellick Heritage Society, c/o Ann OBrien, Debbycott, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.

Refreshments/ LunchLight refreshments will be served in the morning and evening during the event.Lunch on Thursday will be served in the Druid Inn and the cost of lunch will be extra to the registration fee. Participants may venture around the town to Noras Cake Shop or other local restaurants/cafs if they wish.

Day Trips

DAY TRIP to LURGAN *Bus Ticket 15 + Lunch 15, Total 30 Monday 20 July 2015

The Friends at Lurgan will give a guided walk of Lurgan, William Edmundsons first home in Ireland. William only spent 2 years in Lurgan, yet it was the place where he laid a foundation for the Society of Friends in Ireland. The walk will include Church Place and Menarys, believed to be the site of William Edmundsons house in Lurgan.

The Friends at Lurgan will also be presented with a 1774 second edition of William Edmundsons Journal by James Edmundson Sr of VA, USA. The Journal is signed by Joseph Pease.7.30am: Depart Mountmellick 8.30am: Collection Dublin (Red Cow Luas light rail / Bus meeting point)10.45am: Arrival Friends Meeting House Lurgan (tea/coffee on arrival)12.45pm: Lunch at Friends Meeting House (15) Guided walk in Lurgan town, talk and questions in Lurgan Meeting House, visit to Burial Ground of Friends (dating from 1658)

2.30pm: Depart Lurgan 4.30pm: Return to Dublin (Red Cow Luas light rail / Bus meeting point)5.30pm: Return to Mountmellick

DAY TRIP to QUAKER HOUSE *Bus Ticket 15 + Lunch 7, Total 22 Tuesday 21 July 2015Option to meet tour at Quaker House at 10.30am and travel to Mountmellick by bus at 4pm. 10 charge for bus tour and return travel to Mountmellick. Travel bags may be loaded onto the bus at 10.30am. Group A (maximum 25) Group B (maximum 25)9am: Depart Mountmellick 10.30am: Tea / Coffee on arrival Tea / Coffee on arrival

11am: At Quaker House Embark bus for Glencree - Lecture - Exhibition at Visitors Centre - Exhibition - Walk in the gardens - Access to Records - Visit German Military Cemetary (WWII)

Day Trips

Lunch at Bloomfield, Embark bus for return to Quaker House Quaker House (7) Embark bus for Leinster House Lunch at Bloomfield, Quaker House (15)

2pm: At Leinster House (Houses of Parliament) At Quaker House - Guided tour with Senator John Whelan - Lecture - Tea / Coffee - Exhibition - Photograph on plinth at Leinster House - Access to Records

3.15pm: Embark bus for return to Quaker House

4.00pm: Depart Quaker House for Mountmellick Depart Quaker House for Mountmellick 5.30pm: Arrive Mountmellick Arrive Mountmellick

DINNER IN MOUNTMELLICK: 12.50Option to reserve dinner at the Mill Restaurant in Mountmellick for 6pm. Official opening of Edmundson Homecoming will take place at 7.30pm 2 minute walk from the restaurant.

DAY TRIP to WATERFORD *30 including Bus Ticket Monday 25 July 2015Itinerary (by bus) 8.30am: Depart Mountmellick Ballitore Quaker Museum & Meeting House Burtown House. Tea / Coffee. 2pm: Lunch, Talk & Guided Tour of Newtown School and Burial Ground 6pm: Depart Waterford 8pm: Return to Mountmellick

Noel Jenkins, the most genial of genealogists, will assist with genealogy queries over the course of our celebration. Noel has a thorough knowledge of the Religious Society of Friends records, and prepared the archival catalogue in 2012 with the curator Christopher Moriarty. Since 2010 he has assisted visitors to the Quaker Archive with their research, and in 2012 and 2013 provided the genealogy advisory service in the National Library and National Archives of Ireland. Noel was also one of the research team behind the hit TV programme, The Genealogy Roadshow broadcast in 2014. Our genealogy room will be beside the Information Office in Drogheda House, OConnell Square. Noel will provide free advice and information for general genealogy enquiries. A fee will apply for more indepth research. This can agreed directly with Noel. Noel operates a professional research service and can be contacted by email wnoel@eircom.net.

GENEALOGY

Entertainment

Regarded as one of Irelands leading chefs Neven will give a cookery demonstration of seasonal recipes. Raffle prizes will include dinner and accommodation for two at the award winning McNean House and Restaurant.

Cookery Demonstration with Neven Maguire

Wednesday 22 JulyFood Fair from 4pm. No Entry ChargeDemonstration at 8pm, Mountmellick Arts Centre, Tickets 20

If youre looking for good story-telling in a classical style and setting then look no further than Eddie Lenihan. Irish Examiner

Traditional Irish Storytelling with Seancha Eddie Lenihan

Friday 24 July @ 8pm Balcony Theatre, Tickets 10

A celebration of the dances and music of Ireland. Two hand dancing, Cil and sean-ns. All abilities and ages are welcome. Maureen will coordinate the event and ensure everyones enjoyment.

Cil with Maureen Culleton & Danny Webster

Thursday 23 July 9pm to 12amOwenass Hall, Mountmellick, Entry: 8, Refreshments served

Performed by the Curlew Theatre CompanyFirst performed at Clifden Arts Festival, September 2010

Hunger

Saturday 25 July @ 8.30pm Balcony Theatre, Mountmellick Arts Centre.Tickets 8

Waltzes, foxtrot and quickstepSocial Dancing, Music by Checkers

Saturday 25 July @ 9.30pmOwenass Hall, Mountmellick Entry: 8 on door. Refreshments served

Festival Of Traditional Arts, Crafts & Culture

Saturday 25 July 2 6pm

From Wolfe Tone Court to the Convent Bridge, back up along the Owenass River Walk to the playground and Museum, and down to the Square

Displays and demonstrationsof traditional arts & crafts

Music and Dance

Vintage Cars

Final day of Exhibitions

Childrens Games & Activities

Face Painting

Balloon Modeling

Goldilocks & the Three BearsMiriam Lambert Puppet Show Doors open: 1.30pm, show starts: 2pmShow: 45mins long, no intervalMountmellick Arts Centre, Tickets 5, Family rates available

Puppet Making Workshop with Miriam LambertMethodist Hall, 4.30pmChildren create & take home their own puppet.All materials supplied. 1.5 hour long workshop with maximum 15 children, 7 years and older 25 per place, Booking essential.info@edmundsonhomecoming.com083-843 5921

Traditional Irish Storytelling with Eddie LenihanNo booking required. Methodist Church, Parnell Street, 12 noon One of the few traditional storytellersseancha in Gaelic - still working in Ireland New York Times, 2 per child, guardians no charge. Max 5 per family.

Information & Bookings: info@edmundsonhomecoming.com 083-843 5921, 057 86 44299

Monday 7.30am Day Trip: Guided Tour of Lurgan Information Office 30

Tuesday 10:30am Day Trip: Quaker House and Leinster House 30

21 July 7:30pm Official Opening William Edmundson Homecoming OConnell Square

9pm Official Opening Sampler & Needlework Exhibitions Public Library

Wednesday 10am Guided Heritage Tours of Mountmellick Information Office

22 July 2pm Guided Heritage Tour Rosenallis Green School

4pm Artisan Food Fair Parnell Street

8pm Neven Maguire Cookery Demonstration Arts Centre 20

Thursday 10am Mountmellick Friends Summer School Balcony Theatre 10

23 July 10am Guided Walk in Slieve Bloom Mountains Information Office

7.30pm My Journey to find William Edmundson Balcony Theatre

8pm Cil with Maureen Culleton and Danny Webster Owenass Hall 8

Friday 10am Mountmellick Friends Summer School Balcony Theatre 10

24 July 10am Guided Walk in Slieve Bloom Mountains Information Office

2pm Bog Walk Bay Road

3pm Meeting of Friends Historical Committee Closed meeting

6.30pm William Edmundson & the Quaker Archives Balcony Theatre

8pm Traditional Irish Storytelling Balcony Theatre 10

Saturday 10.30am Friends & 1798 Public Library

25 July 11.30am How far we have come The Northern Ireland Peace Process Public Library

12noon Traditional Storytelling for Children Methodist Church 2

2pm Goldilocks & the Three Bears Arts Centre 5

2pm Festival of Traditional Arts, Crafts & Culture Various Venues

4.30pm Puppet Making Workshop with Miriam Lambert Methodist Hall 25

8.30pm Hunger Curlew Theatre Company Balcony Theatre 8

9.30pm Old Time Dancing Owenass Hall 8

Sunday 11.30am Meeting for Worship Meeting House

26 July 1.30pm Tree Planting Ceremony Friends Burial Ground

2.30pm Picnic & BBQ Rosenallis Community Centre 15

Monday 8.30am Day Trip Ballitore and Newtown, Waterford Information Office 30

AT A GLANCE See inside for details

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Official Opening with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan

All are welcomeTuesday 21 July at 7.30pm, OConnell Square, Mountmellick

Closing Events Sunday 26 July11.30am: Meeting for Worship at the former Friends Meeting House (opposite OConnell Square). All are welcome

1.30pm: Friends Remembrance Ceremony with planting of Irish Oak tree by James E. Edmundson Snr. All are welcome

2.30pm: Picnic & BBQ at Rosenallis Community Centre BBQ 15 per adult, 8 per child All are welcome

Tuesday July 21 6.30pm - 9.00pmWednesday July 22 9.00am - 4.00pm Thursday July 23 10.00am - 4.00pmFriday July 24 10.00am - 4.00pmSaturday July 25 10.00am - 4.00pmSunday July 26 9.30- 11.30am, 12.30 - 1.30pmMonday July 27 10.00am - 12noon Tel: 083 - 843 5921Drogheda House, OConnell Square

Information Office - Opening Hours