On Wednesday evening I went to Professor James Curl’s lecture at Gresham College about the Plantation of Londonderry from 1641 to the end of the nineteenth century.

It was a fascinating presentation, which helps to explain much of the background to the troubles in Northern Ireland leading up to the current situation.  Alderman and former Lord Mayor Ian Luder was there as the Governor of the Honourable the Irish Society, and Alan Mawson, Past Master of the Salters’ Company who had come on the Manor of Sal visit in May.

There were quite a large number of Irishmen and women in the audience, but very few of them had heard of the Honourable the Irish Society, or were aware of their presence in London and Coleraine.

The third lecture in the series will be given by Edward Montgomery, the Secretary of the Society.

Bill Clark – Master, Woolmen’s Company