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Blackrock Society Talks – Updated 21/04/2026

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 8th May 2026 at Newtownpark Pastoral Centre, Church of the Guardian Angels, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

People Like Us

by Julie Parsons

Our speaker Julie Parsons is a writer, with eight books to her credit Julie’s book ‘The Therapy House’ won the prestigious Crime Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book awards in 2017. Since then, she has been writing the story of her Church of Ireland family *People Like Us” – her first non-fiction book.

Written as a series of imagined conversations between Julie and her mother and father, using letters, diaries, memories and historical records, Julie tells the story of her Irish Protestant family. They were soldiers, clergymen, shop keepers, musicians and poets. Some came to Ireland as part of Cromwell’s army. Their descendants were doctors, giving succour to the Famine poor and providing maternity care to the women of inner city Dublin. Many were clergymen, ministering to parishes throughout the country. Both her parents served in the 2nd World War; her mother, Elizabeth Chamberlain, a clergyman’s daughter from Dun Laoghaire was a naval officer. Her father, Andy Parsons from Greystones, received the Military Cross for gallantry as a doctor at the battle of El Alamein in 1942. He was lost at sea in the South Pacific 13 years later. Irish men and Irish women, part of our shared history.

This is an entrancing story told for the first time by our speaker who is a superb story teller. Don’t miss this fascinating afternoon!

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

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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.

Blackrock Society – Aims

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