The Lucas Lecture

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

https://royalhistsoc.org/calendar/in-the-shelter-of-each-other-the-irish-and-americas-medal-of-honor-lecture/

  In this lecture Patrick Downes, who is the writer in residence in the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco, will consider a widely repeated claim that is rarely tested. Which is, that more men born on the island of Ireland have received the Medal of Honor, the highest military…

15/10/2026

Irish Diasporas and the Making of America
UCD Clinton Institute | December 2026

Patrick Downes will present a paper at the forthcoming Irish Diasporas and the Making of America conference at the UCD Clinton Institute on the 5th December 2026.

His paper, “Counting the Irish: The Medal of Honor and the Problem of Ethnic Arithmetic,” draws on his forthcoming book, For Valour and Heritage: The Irish Story of America’s Medal of Honor.

It examines a striking claim: that more people born on the island of Ireland received the United States Medal of Honor—America’s highest award for military bravery—than were born in any other foreign country.

Behind that claim lie changed names, incomplete records, disputed birthplaces and the complex question of who is counted as “Irish”. The paper considers what this reveals about migration, identity, belonging and the importance of sound evidence in the stories communities tell about themselves.

This promises to be a stimulating conference.

Referencing the 250 th anniversary of the United States in 2026, this conference will focus on the roles of Ireland and Northern Ireland and their peoples in the making of America.

15/10/2026

The Royal Historical Society

11/10/2026

As Chair of the Lucas Foundation I am honoured to advise I have been appointed as "Writer in Residence" at the Princess Grace Irish Library - Under the aegis of Fondation Princesse Grace in Monaco this Autumn.

It is a particular if not unique privilege to be appointed to this position in a library which so wonderfully preserves and celebrates Ireland’s literary, historical and cultural inheritance abroad.

As part of the residency, I will give a public lecture on Thursday, 12 November at 7.00pm: "In the Shelter of Each Other": The Irish contribution to America’s Medal of Honor roll call.

In this, the 250th anniversary year of the Declaration of Independence, I will explore the remarkable story of the Irish-born recipients of America’s highest award for valour: their journeys from Ireland, their service in uniform and their contribution to the making of America as the land of the free and home of the brave.

The lecture is free, however spaces are strictly limited and advance booking is required. To that end I would be delighted to welcome any friends who happen to be in Monaco.
Booking details: https://www.pgil.mc/lectures/current
My sincere thanks to the Princess Grace Irish Library and The Ireland Funds Monaco for this wonderful and rare opportunity.
The Irish Military Heritage Foundation/Ireland's Military Story The Royal Munster Fusiliers Royal Historical Society Irish Winners Of The Victoria Cross University of Galway History Ireland Medal of Honor Recipients

05/10/2026

It was a pleasure to pay a courtesy call this afternoon to the Colombian Navy tall ship ARC Gloria in Dublin Harbour, where I met Brigadier General Stephan Ryan, GOC 2 Brigade, and Captain Héctor Nicanor González León, her skipper.
A beautiful vessel, hospitable crew, and some striking examples of naval stained glass on board. I wish Captain González León and the ship’s company fair winds and following seas as they prepare to put to sea once more.

04/10/2026

The Men of The West

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pKcF9xIcMJFqoYp6XTlaP?si=04199de0ad5e426d

Corporate Governance 101 · Episode

29/09/2026

This companion podcast places P. J. Kelly’s remarkable personal story within the wider history of the Irish Republican Army’s West Mayo Brigade during the War of Independence and the Civil War.

Drawing on personal testimony, official records and contemporary accounts, the episode explores the formation of the local battalions and flying column, the defining ambushes at Kilmeena and Carrowkennedy, and the leadership of figures including Michael Kilroy and Tom Derrig. It also recognises the vital contribution of Cumann na mBan, Fianna Éireann, local families, scouts and dispatch carriers whose courage sustained the campaign.

More than a military history, this is the story of the ordinary men and women of West Mayo who were drawn into extraordinary events—and of how P. J. Kelly’s experiences formed part of Ireland’s difficult journey from revolution to independence.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pKcF9xIcMJFqoYp6XTlaP?si=4iaJ4CY3ToCKGoRsyF9Kew

Corporate Governance 101 · Episode

29/09/2026

From Freedom Fighter to Nation Builder: The West Mayo Story of P. J. Kelly

This remarkable family history preserves the first-hand story of Patrick Joseph Kelly of Carnaclay, Westport: Irish Volunteer, IRA organiser, skilled carpenter and later one of the men who helped rebuild the West after independence.

Through his own account, the book recalls the formative years of the revolutionary period in Mayo—contacts with The O’Rahilly, Volunteer activity in Leenane and Westport, arms procurement, training, and the hard choices faced by young men during the War of Independence.

It is also the story of Kathleen O’Reilly of Louisburgh and of a family rooted in service, faith and community. After the conflict, P. J. Kelly turned his energies to building churches, schools, homes and businesses, leaving a practical legacy across the region.

A valuable local record of Irish military history, family memory and the generation that fought for independence before helping to build the country that followed.Interesting

Corporate Governance 101 · Episode

15/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ULJoLzRX/?mibextid=wwXIfr