Sporting activity and wagering in 18th century Ireland

The North Clare Historical Society’s 2014 lecture series commences at 8pm on Monday the 27th of January in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, with a talk by Feakle native Kieran Sheedy. Entitled “Sporting activity and wagering in 18th century Ireland”, the lecture includes details of various sporting activities throughout the country, including horse racing, trotting, cock fighting, hurling, foot races, boxing, real tennis, cudgelling, swimming, gaming tables and lotteries. Kieran Sheedy's published works include three books on Irish-Australian history while works on his native county include The Clare Elections, The United Irishmen of County Clare: 1798 and The Horse in County Clare (2 vols). He also edited The Clare Anthology and is presently completing a history on the foundation of the Irish bloodstock industry. Kieran held a number of posts in RTE Radio, including Head of Documentaries and Controller of Radio 1 before leaving to concentrate on writing.