“the past could be jettisoned… but seeds got carried…”

Joan Didion

Drawing on David M. Eagleman’s famous reflection that the third death is “that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time”, the fourth annual Thomas MacDonagh Hedge School (16–19 September) will explore the themes of memory and legacy.

Over four days, from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 September, the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan will host a programme of talks featuring historian and broadcaster Turtle Bunbury, archivist Zoë Reid, Keeper of Manuscripts at the National Archives, and members of Thomas MacDonagh’s family, including Dr Joe MacDonagh and Michelle Drysdale, who will be in conversation with Pat Leahy, Political Editor of The Irish Times and a long-time friend of the MacDonagh family.

Through the perspectives of historians and descendants of Thomas MacDonagh, the programme will explore the enduring legacy of the revolutionary generation and how their lives continue to shape our understanding of Ireland’s past and present.

In a series of talks and workshops, genealogists Nora O’Meara and Darragh Johnson will guide participants in researching and creating their family trees. Drawing on personal histories and national traditions, these sessions will explore how storytelling and a deeper understanding of our past can help shape a more meaningful understanding of family and memory.

On Culture Night, Friday 18 September, we will launch an exhibition curated by local artist Lian Callaghan and featuring members of the North Tipperary Artists’ Collective. Inspired by the Hedge School themes of Memory and Legacy and the Museum’s collection of MacDonagh family artefacts, the exhibition will showcase original works by local artists. The artworks will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going directly to the artists, and the exhibition will remain on display for approximately four weeks. The evening will also include reflections and insights from participants in the genealogy workshops.

The Thomas MacDonagh Museum’s mission is to honour the legacy of Thomas MacDonagh by sharing a history that resonates with contemporary Ireland. The Museum maintains a close relationship with MacDonagh family descendants and houses a unique collection that gives an account of one family’s enduring connection to the Irish nation and its history.
Tickets for events are now available €12.50 – €40 via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/thomas-macdonagh-hedge-school-16-19-september-2026-4840922