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National Heritage Week 2011
Heritage Week in Ireland (20th-28th Aug) is designated to promote Irish heritage. We had a number of visitors to the Museum for an introductory talk and a tour of the three parent colonies (Killeheen, Courtmatrix & Ballingrane).

Shier Reunion 2011



IPA Journal
Our annual Journal (No.18) is printed and and on its way to all current members. This years edition includes a specially prepared article by Dr. Vivien Hick compiled from the Castle Oliver Estate Papers and the Kilfinane Church of Ireland Vestry minutes on the Palatines in the area (1759-1882). We also have an article on the Palatinate from 1836, and on Dr. William Crook (1823-1897) a Methodist Minister who is best known as the author of Ireland and the Centenary of American Methodism with seven of it's twelve chapters dedicated to recounting the role of the Irish Palatines in establishing Methodism in Ireland , United States and Canada.

Tercentenary Report
In January Irish Roots Magazine asked us for a report on the 2009 tercentenary commemoration celebrations that took place in September 2009. A 700 word was prepared by Carolyn Heald with accompanying photos by Tom Upshaw, both prominent members of the IPA. The article is published in the current issue of the magazine (number 74). Irish Roots magazine is published quarterly and can be reached through their website www.irishrootsmagazine.com

Irish Census records for 1901 and 1911
This website was launched in December 2007. Since August 2009 , all counties for 1911 have been available on line. Those for 1901 have just become available on the site. To learn more and access the records visit www.census.nationalarchives.ie

Student Visit
On Sunday 25th April we had our annual visit from the students of Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium, Ludwigshafen in the Palatinate, Germany. The students and their teacher Monika Schoenbucher, arrived at Kerry Airport earlier that day, stopped for lunch at Gary Switzer's before visiting the Irish Palatine Centre for a guided tour with Austin Bovenizer. Then it was on to Galway where their school has a student exchange program with a local school. After a few days in Galway they will return to Tralee in Co. Kerry and attend a performance at the National Folk Theatre, Siamsa Tíre. They will return home to Germany on Thursday 29th April from Kerry Airport.

Plaque Unveiling at Methodist Wesleyan Chapel in Tarbert.
On the 19th of April, a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon Austin Bovenizer unveiled a plaque in Tarbert, Co. Kerry, Ireland. The plaque was erected by the Tarbert Historical Society to mark the spot where the Methodist Wesleyan Chapel once stood. An address was given by Pádraig O’Concubhair author of “A Remote Outpost – The Story of the Methodist Society in Tarbert, Co. Kerry". Among the attendees were many folk of Fitzell ancestry.

The photo shows the unveiling of the plaque with left to right Pádraig O'Concubhair, Bridie Heffernan, Austin Bovenizer and Paddy Fitzell (sculptor). photo courtesy of John Reidy

Recent Visitor
Just before Easter we had a visit from Peter Lauer and his daughter Katharina. Peter is a brother of Monika Lauers. Those who participated in our 1994 Palatinate tour (see report IPA Journal No.5 Pg.2) will remember Monika and all the work she did in making the first IPA visit to the Palatinate a special and memorable event. On that occasion Peter arranged the availability of the airplanes at his flying club so that participants could have an aerial view of the Palatinate countryside.
Peter and Katherina arrived in Dublin on the 28th of March this year. After spending a few days in Dublin they hired a car and travelled through Wicklow and on to the Rock of Cashel.
On the 30th they arrived in Rathkeale and after a tour of the Irish Palatine Centre spent the night at Austin Bovenizer's home. The following morning they had an early start and headed for the ring of Kerry, later crossing the river Shannon on the Ferry at Tarbert they entered Co. Clare and on to Galway city. After doing some touring on the West coast they travelled east back to Dublin from where they returned to Germany on Easter Sunday.
Peter told us that the trip was a birthday present for his daughter.


Peter Lauer and his daughter Katharina while on their recent visit of Ireland.


Alberta Callender takes the controls during the1994 IPA trip of the Palatinate.
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