Thinking about Reformation 500: the warm up to the big weekend

As part of the build-up to the Reformation 500 conference jointly organised by the Church of Ireland Historical Society and the Catholic Historical Society of Ireland on 20-21 October (for further details visit http://churchofirelandhist.org/reformation-500-conference/), the History Ireland Hedge School starts the discussion on Martin Luther and the wider significance.

It is 500 years since Luther composed his ninety-five theses at Wittenberg, in which he criticised the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences to absolve sin. This set in motion an unexpected turn of events that led to the Protestant Reformation. A panel organised by the History Ireland Hedge School, in association with the Church of Ireland Historical Society, will reflect and discuss Luther’s actions and whether it was really about religion or a cynical power-grab by some of the princes of Europe. Other themes will explore whether it was an early manifestation of Brexit – a disillusionment of the periphery with the perceived corruption of the cosmopolitan centre? Ultimately, the panel will consider Luther’s actions and the relevance this has (if any?) today.

History Ireland editor, Tommy Graham, will chair a lively and enlightening round-table discussion with Adrian Empey (COIHS, Hon. Sec.), John McCafferty (University College Dublin), Alison Forrestal (National University of Ireland, Galway) and Gesa Thiessen (Trinity College, Dublin). It all takes place on Wednesday, 18th October at 7pm in the beautiful surroundings of St Werburgh’s Church, Werburgh Street, Dublin. The event is free of charge and no booking is required.