‘Irish noblemen in Croatia (19th-20th Century)’

Laval Count Nugent Westmeath
Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 18:00
Seminar Room, First Floor, Iontas Building (MU North Campus)

Speaker: Professor Iskra Iveljic (History Department, University of Zagreb)

This lecture explores the history of two Irish noble families (Nugents of Westmeath and Kavanaghs of Ballyane) that acquired landed property and castles in Croatia in the 19th century. The first to come to Croatia was Laval Count Nugent Westmeath (1777-1862), a general, diplomat, art collector, and aristocrat of European importance. The Kavanaghs came to Croatia through the marriage of Simon Henry Kavanagh Baron Ballyane (1784-1830) to a local noble heiress. The family lived in Croatia until 1940s.  Professor Iveljic will discuss the role these families played in Croatian politics, art and culture, as well as examining their everyday-life.