Shinrone talk on controversial local figure

Shinrone Heritage Group will tonight (Friday) host a fascinating illustrated talk by historian Stephen Callaghan on the life of Warner Hastings, 15th Earl of Huntingdon.

The talk is entitled: 'The Earl of Huntingdon, scandal, militia and the War in South Africa'

Warner was a senior officer in the local militia (Leinster Regiment), who was implicated in various scandals including the Birr Barracks affair and openly criticised by one of his own soldiers in the local press for not going to war!

Ger Murphy of SHG explained: "Warner married Mary Westenra, an only child, and the couple lived thereafter at Sharavogue House".

It was Warner who commissioned the nationally important Mary Lowndes window now on display in St Mary’s Church, Shinrone, As Ger noted: "While the house is long demolished the Lowndes Window acts as a reminder of the connection between the Hasting family and wider community in which they lived in the early twentieth century."

The talk is taking place on tonight (Friday, May 17) at 7.30pm in Cloughmoyle School House, Shinrone (R42 YN97) and Ger is keen to emphasise all are very welcome to this free event.