EVENTS to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the signing of the Desmond-Valois Treaty in 1523 are afoot in Askeaton.
It was in Askeaton Castle that the first recorded treaty between France and an Irish Polity was negotiated and concluded on the 20th of June 1523 by Earl James of Desmond and two envoys of King Francois I of France.
The treaty was ratified at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, its significance laying a path for Irish-European relations. The celebratory events will recall and celebrate the first alliance between an Irish entity, the Palatine of Desmond, and France.
On Friday June 23 at 8 pm in the Community Hall, there will be a special illustrated lecture by Dr Declan M Downey titled ‘The Culture, Commerce and Diplomacy of Desmond’.
On Saturday June 24 10.30 am, there will be a talk on the history of medieval Askeaton in the marquee behind the tourist office.
At noon, starting from the marquee, there will be a guided tour of medieval Askeaton given by Dr Pat Wallace, Emeritus Director of the National Museum of Ireland.
On Sunday June 25 at 11.30 a.m in St Mary’s Church Askeaton, the Ò Riada Mass will be celebrated, followed by an Heraldic Pageant Procession from the Church to the Castle, a commemoration ceremony and dramatic re-enactment of the treaty by En-Garde, followed by refreshments at Askeaton Community Hall.
All events are being organised by Askeaton Civic Trust.
