Blackrock Society

Blackrock Society “Scientia Sit Liberalis”

Blackrock Dolmen by Rowan Gillespie — **Rowan Gillespie’s Dolmen (1987) at N11/Temple Rd junction**

FORTHCOMING LECTURES & ACTIVITIES – Spring 2026 onwards

Afternoon talk 2.30pm at our new venue!

Friday 10th April 2026 at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre, Church of the Guardian Angels, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Richard Annesley, 6th Earl Anglesea and (right) James Annesley the rightful but unlucky claimant

Lord Anglesea’s Scandal

by Padraig Laffan

The Irish events that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1885 novel “Kidnapped” and other literary works.

Our speaker is Padraig Laffan, a noted local historian who has enlightened and entertained us on a number of previous occasions. Padraig is currently Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Local History Societies.

See further details of future, current 2026 talks and previous ones for 2025,’24,’23,’22,’20 and 2019 HERE

Please note there is an attendance charge of €5 for non-members of Blackrock Society

Further talks and lectures for the Spring, Autumn/Winter of 2026 will be confirmed shortly and we will be hosting these at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre on the second Friday of the month due to the unavailability of CCE our usual home. We will be confirming details, and this site will be updated, as talks are arranged. If you are interested in giving a talk, please contact Douglas by email at info at blackrocksociety.ie

~o~

All current lectures are at 2.30pm and are going to be held at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre,
Guardian Angels Church, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin A94VF74 for Spring and early autumn 2026 depending on arrangements.

Blackrock Society was established in 1921 and is supported by local businesses and is a Member of the Federation of Local History Societies.

**Blackrock Main St at the turn of the 19th century**

The aims of Blackrock Society are to:

To create an awareness of the history, culture, science and literary contributions, architecture, people and, indeed, the peculiarities of the County Dublin town of Blackrock, together with its surrounds, thus adding to the local community’s sense of itself.

To help preserve the unique character of Blackrock from diffusion or loss.

To record details of events, both local and national, consider their impact, and disseminate them through lectures and visits.

To publish an annual illustrated journal of our activities including lectures, discussions and trips.

We have been endeavouring to promote these aims from our inception in 1921.

Want to join Blackrock Society? Then please click here to download our membership form

Blackrock Society Talks – Updated 08/04/2026

FORTHCOMING LECTURES & ACTIVITIES – Spring 2026 onwards

Afternoon talk 2.30pm at our new venue!

Friday 10th April 2026 at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre, Church of the Guardian Angels, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Lord Anglesea’s Scandal

by Padraig Laffan

The Irish events that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1885 novel “Kidnapped” and other literary works.

Our speaker is Padraig Laffan, a noted local historian who has enlightened and entertained us on a number of previous occasions. Padraig is currently Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Local History Societies.

See further details of future, current 2026 talks and previous ones for 2025,’24,’23,’22,’20 and 2019 HERE

Please note there is an attendance charge of €5 for non-members of Blackrock Society

All current lectures are at 2.30pm and are going to be held at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre,
Guardian Angels Church, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin A94VF74 for Spring and early autumn 2026 depending on arrangements.

Blackrock Society was established in 1921 and is supported by local businesses and is a Member of the Federation of Local History Societies.

Blackrock Society – Aims

The aims of Blackrock Society are to:

To create an awareness of the history, culture, science and literary contributions, architecture, people and, indeed, the peculiarities of the County Dublin town of Blackrock, together with its surrounds, thus adding to the local community’s sense of itself.

To help preserve the unique character of Blackrock from diffusion or loss.

To record details of events, both local and national, consider their impact, and disseminate them through lectures and visits.

To publish an annual illustrated journal of our activities including lectures, discussions and trips.

We have been endeavouring to promote these aims from our inception in 1921.

FORTHCOMING LECTURES & ACTIVITIES – Spring 2026 onwards

Afternoon talk 2.30pm at our new venue!

Friday 10th April 2026 at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre, Church of the Guardian Angels, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Lord Anglesea’s Scandal

by Padraig Laffan

The Irish events that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1885 novel “Kidnapped” and other literary works.

Our speaker is Padraig Laffan, a noted local historian who has enlightened and entertained us on a number of previous occasions. Padraig is currently Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Local History Societies.

See further details of future, current 2026 talks and previous ones for 2025,’24,’23,’22,’20 and 2019 HERE

Please note there is an attendance charge of €5 for non-members of Blackrock Society

All current lectures are at 2.30pm and are going to be held at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre,Guardian Angels Church, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin A94VF74 for Spring and early autumn 2026 depending on arrangements.

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Blackrock Society was established in 1921 and is supported by local businesses and is a Member of the Federation of Local History Societies.

The aims of Blackrock Society are to:

To create an awareness of the history, culture, science and literary contributions, architecture, people and, indeed, the peculiarities of the County Dublin town of Blackrock, together with its surrounds, thus adding to the local community’s sense of itself.

To help preserve the unique character of Blackrock from diffusion or loss.

To record details of events, both local and national, consider their impact, and disseminate them through lectures and visits.

To publish an annual illustrated journal of our activities including lectures, discussions and trips.

We have been endeavouring to promote these aims from our inception in 1921.

All current lectures are at 2.30pm and are going to be held at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre,
Guardian Angels Church, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin A94VF74 for Spring and early autumn 2026 depending on arrangements.