Charlotte Brontë's birthday to be commemorated in Banagher this month

Charlotte Brontë's 209th birthday will be commemorated at an event being organised by the local Banagher Brontë Group on Saturday, April 26.

Proceedings will start at Charlotte's Way, The Hill, Banagher at 1.30pm where the group will gather to carpool for a field trip to Shannon Harbour, Shannonbridge, Meelick Weir Walkway, Victoria Lock and Eyrecourt.

The purpose of the trip is to visit places outside Banagher which Arthur Bell Nicholls would have been proud to show his new wife, the eminent novelist Charlotte Brontë, when they honeymooned in Banagher in July 1854.

Upon returning to Banagher at around 5pm, the group will gather in the new snug in Hough’s pub for readings by, on, or about the Brontës of Haworth and the Bells of Banagher.

This will be an 'open mic' format, so now is your chance to 'have your spake'!

The readings will conclude at about 6.30pm. Some folks will then repair to Flynn's restaurant for food. Please make your own booking to guarantee a place at a table at 057 9151312.

Proceedings will conclude with a recital by the Banagher Brontë Ensemble in Corrigan’s Corner Pub at 9pm.

The ensemble is now an integral part of the group, and we have been awarded a grant of €800 to reward the gifted players for creating an extensive and growing repertoire of appropriate music.

The group will perform twice more this year, once in Heritage Week in Tullamore, as part of four days of celebration of the Brontë associations with County Offaly, particularly Banagher, from Friday, August 15 to Monday, August 18. Full details coming soon.

The group's final events for 2025 will be held at the end of November, when it will Arthur Bell Nicholls' 119th anniversary.

Membership of the group is just €20 and can be paid to James Scully, Nicola Daly, Donie Hogan or Sean Corrigan. All are most welcome.