The speaker for this lecture is Dr Coleman Dennehy, historian, criminologist, and lecturer in Early Modern History at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. He is also a council member of the Irish Legal History Society and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

The office of Justice of the Peace dates back to fourteenth century England. J.P.s, or magistrates as they were often later identified, were typically appointed from the landed gentry and they feature prominently in nineteenth-century Irish history. Less is heard about them at earlier dates. This lecture will therefore look at the Justices of the Peace in medieval and early modern Ireland and will include specific references to Co. Louth.

The lecture will be held in the Whitaker building of the Dundalk Institute of Technology (Eircode A91 K584) on Thursday 4 December 2025 at 7 p.m. On entering the main DkIT gate, keep left at the fork, the Whitaker building is the building with a semi-circular entrance.

All are welcome. Voluntary donations at the door are welcome to support the work of the Society.

For those unable to attend in person, the lecture will be streamed live and may be accessed via the following Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87376554572
Zoom Meeting ID: 873 7655 4572