Upcoming events will put Irish historical figures in the picture

GRACE’S Irish Centre is set to play host to two events that will shine a light on two notable figures in Irish history.

First up is a talk organised by the 1916 Rising Centenary Committee (Scotland) on Tuesday October 28 from 7-9pm, where historian Sean Thomas McDonagh will recall the life of John Ferguson (1836–1906), publisher, home-ruler, and land reformer.

Ferguson was a colourful figure and one of the leading personalities of 19th century Irish Nationalism, as well as being a pioneer of the labour movement in Scotland. Yet, despite ranking almost equally with Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt as a practical politician and strategist, he has been seriously neglected by historians since most of his adult life was spent organising the Irish in Scotland.

An Ulster Presbyterian who was related to the United Irishman martyr William Orr, Ferguson arrived in Glasgow in the 1860 and embraced the cause of Irish Nationalism shortly afterwards. He chaired nearly every important Irish Home Rule meeting in the city from 1871 to 1906. Ferguson had a good friendship with John Torley, who represented Scotland on the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Admission to the talk is free and all are welcome. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite.

Then, on Friday November 14 at 7pm and again on Sunday November 16 at 3pm, the same venue will stage the one- woman play performed by Jasmine Sharli Maine and directed by Julie Hale about the teacher, sniper and suffragette, Margaret Skinnider.

Tickets for the John Ferguson talk can be reserved via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-ferguson-radical-and-champion-of-the-irish-in-scotland-tickets-1782259037759?aff=erelexpmlt

Tickets for the Margaret Skinnider play—originated by Maggie Chetty and written by Cat Hepburn—can be purchased for £11.55 via the following link: www.n9.cl/rebel-heart