The RSAI runs an annual programme of lectures, talks, outings and excursions to which Members and Guests are invited to partake. Places on all outings and excursions must be booked in advance but lectures and talks are open to all. Lectures and talks usually take place at 7.30pm in the Helen Roe theatre, which is in the basement of Society House, 63 Merrion Square, unless otherwise indicated. They are also live-streamed via ZOOM Webinars. RSAI Members receive their free registration links via e-newsletter, non-members may book via our Eventbrite page (tickets €5).
The subjects of lectures and talks span all areas of the Society’s remit, history, archaeology, art history, local and social history. Excursions include day-trips and three/four day expert led tours.
If you have any suggestions for potential lectures or talks please forward this information to the Hon. General Secretary here for consideration by the Programme sub-committee.
Here are the details of upcoming events on the 2025 programme:
LECTURES:
30 January 2025
‘IRISH CULINARY HISTORY: REMARKING THE UNREMARKED’
Dr Dorothy Cashman, Historian
27 February 2025
‘KNOCKROE PASSAGE TOMB, CO. KILKENNY – THE FULL PICTURE’
Prof. Muiris O’Sullivan, UCD
27 March 2025
‘THE MEDIEVAL REGISTERS OF THE ARCHBISHOPS OF ARMAGH: CONSERVATION, DIGITISATION AND INTEGRATED DIGITAL ACCESS IN THE VRTI AND PRONI’
Ms Sarah Graham, Senior Conservator at PRONI
24 April 2025
PRESENTATION IS INTERPRETATION: THE ART AND CRAFT OF CALLIGRAPHY
Mr Timothy O’Neill, Artist and Historian
29 May 2025
Helen Roe Memorial Lecture
‘DELICATE AND ELABORATE DESIGNS’: RECONSIDERING “CELTIC ART” 50 YEARS ON’
Dr Jane Hawkes, University of York
25 September 2025
Online only
‘END OF AN ERA: REFLECTIONS ON THE ROLE OF THE MORTIMER EARLS OF MARCH IN IRELAND, 1247-1425’
Dr Paul Dryburgh, UK National Archives, Mortimer History Society
23 October 2025
Annual Frank Mitchell Memorial Lecture
‘AN INVESTIGATION OF LATER MEDIEVAL GAELIC IRELAND THROUGH THE LENS OF THE Ó CELLAIG LORDSHIP OF UÍ MAINE’
Dr Daniel Curley, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre
27 November 2025
‘SEARCHING FOR THE IRISH PALAEOLITHIC’
Dr Ruth Carden, UCD
11 December 2025
‘THE IRISH JACOBITE ARMY, 1689-91’
Dr Harman Murtagh, former President, Military History Society of Ireland
TALKS:
10 February 2025
‘LIFE AT HOME IN IRELAND’S VIKING-AGE WORLDS’
Dr Rebecca Boyd, IAC Archaeology
10 March 2025
‘LAW VERSUS PRACTICE: WOMEN’S PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN EARLY MODERN IRELAND’
Dr Frances Nolan, UCD
7 April 2025
‘DR HENRY JONES AND CAVAN, 1610-42’
Dr Brendan Scott, Maynooth University
12 May 2025
‘NETWORKS OF KNOWLEDGE: CREATING AND RECREATING THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF IRELAND’
Dr Ciarán Wallace, VRTI
1 September 2025
SPECTACLE IN THE CITY: WONDROUS EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS IN GEORGIAN IRELAND
Dr Alison FitzGerald, Maynooth University
6 October 2025
Online only
ABOUT IRISH MOTTES: A NEW CONCEPTION OF THEIR GENESIS AND FUNCTIONS’
Mr Jean François Marechal, RSAI Member, Historian
3 November 2025
‘JAMES FOGARTY’S REPORTS ON THE ANTIQUITIES AND TRADITIONS OF SOUTH-WEST COUNTY KILKENNY, 1851-52’
Mr Conleth Manning, RSAI Past President
SPECIAL EVENTS:
17 April 2025
Special Online Event
INAUGURAL LECTURE WITH THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND
Prof Gabriel Cooney, UCD
6 June 2025 1 PM
ANNUAL PRÓINSÉAS NÍ CHATHAIN MEMORIAL LECTURE
AG OBAIR LENÁR SÉADCHOMHARTHAÍ NÁISIÚNTA
Ms Aighleann O’Shaughnessy, NMS
EXCURSIONS:
Spring Excursion to Moyglare House and Russel Library, Co. Meath/Kildare
29 March 2025
Summer Excursion to south-east Tipperary weld by Mr Conleth Manning, RSAI Past President
15-17 June 2025
Autumn Excursion to Russborough House and Burgage Cross, Threecastles Castle, Co. Wicklow
20 September 2025