This lecture starts at the beginning of the 1700’s when the penal laws are being enacted to the detriment of Presbyterians and Catholics in Ireland, they both greatly suffered.
Up to 1740’s many left Ireland for the USA (mainly Presbyterian) to be free of ‘English Tyranny’. The Ascendency had copper-fastened their iron grip on Ireland at the expense of her poor and dispossessed.
Things were about to change – the Ulster Presbyterians had had enough, they joined intellectual forces with others of the Enlightenment age of the time. Readings of Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft and the Rights of Man became common and Belfast was called the ‘Athens of the North’.
Great change was coming and it was being led by the United Irishmen who would carve out Belfast as the radical thinking city of Ireland and these islands. Modernity was being born and Ulster men and women would be its vanguard!
Join Sean Napier in this Faculty lecture which explores the years leading up to 1798 and their lasting legacy.
Doors 7.00pm | Unreserved Seating
Covid protocol – CQAF small venues*
CQAF is committed to facilitating the return of live entertainment and the gradual reopening of events. We are making every effort to provide a safe environment for our audiences, artists, volunteers and staff.
Current conditions of entry are:
Temperature check on arrival at the venue.
Please wear a mask while queuing for indoor events and if you have to leave your seat to move around the venue. No masks necessary when seated.
Visitors to the venues will be allocated seats as per their booking. (Please email us if there’s someone you’d like to sit with.
1m physical distancing in line with government guideline.
Please do not come to the event if you’re displaying any of the symptoms of Covid 19. Email us at info@cqaf.com and we’ll happily refund your tickets.
We hope you enjoy the festival. We will review these conditions of entry if COVID-19 guidelines are updated prior to the event.
Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North — Open 7 days a Week