Talk on Brontës' Irish connections

A talk on the Brontës' Irish Connections will be given at Newry City Library by Jason Diamond on Wednesday 20th April at 12:30pm

The talk has been timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of writing’s most famous authors; Charlotte Brontë.

She was born on 21st April 1816 and was the third daughter of the Rev Patrick Brontë and his wife, Maria Branwell.

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A spokesperson for the event said: “She and her five siblings were all born in England, but what many people don’t realise is that the origins of the Brontë family were well and truly rooted in Ireland, north and south.

“Their grandfather, Hugh Brunty, hailed from Drogheda, Co Louth. He and his wife, Alice McClory were married in the old Magherally Parish Church, between Banbridge and Dromore and it was in the townland of Lisnacreevy outside Rathfriland that Patrick Brunty, later to become Patrick Brontë, was born on the 17th March 1777.

“Thanks to the writer, J A Erskine Stuart, we have an account of the family’s Irish origins as Stuart came to the area whilst doing research for a book he was writing entitled “The Brontë Country” in 1888. During his researches, he paid a visit to Patrick’s youngest sister, eventually furnishing an article for the local “Banbridge Household Almanac” about his visit to the Brontë Country.

To relate this history of Patrick and his early years, Mr Jason Diamond, Tourist Information Assistant with Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, will be speaking about Patrick and the council owned Brontë Interpretative Centre housed in the old Drumballroney church and schoolhouse where Patrick once taught.

The event is free and open to all. Booking is advisable.

To make a booking contact Newry City Library on 028 3026 4683 or [email protected].