Kildare village to celebrate important author's 200th anniversary
The statue of Mary Leadbeater in the village of Ballitore
THE village of Ballitore is gearing up for the Mary Leadbeater bicentenary celebrations on Saturday 27 June with a number of events planned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Mary Leadbeater née Shackelton.
Mary Leadbeater, who was the half great grand aunt of the explorer Sir Ernest Shackelton, is best known for her writings and in particular the , and is buried in the Quakers burial ground in the village.
The Ballitore Burial Ground Restoration Group (BBGRG) is a heritage-led group of volunteers actively involved in the restoration and regeneration of the historic Quakers Buriel ground in the village where part of this work includes caring for the grave of Mary Leadbeater.
Born in December 1758, she died 68 years later on 27 June 1826.
Ms Leadbetter was an Irish Quaker author and diarist who lived most of her life in the planned Quaker settlement of Ballitore.
Her work the is widely seen by scholars, academics and historians as being historically and culturally important.
The 200th anniversary of Mary Leadbeater's death will occur on Saturday 27 June, and to mark this occasion the group will be erecting an information sign indicating the location of Mary Leadbeater's grave.
It is also offering local schools and youth organisations an opportunity to join or organise a guided tour of the burial ground during the period before and after the anniversary.
The unveiling of the sign will take place at 1pm, and for those unfamiliar with the village the eircode for the burial ground is R14AK76.
The group works with the support of Kildare Co Council using a proactive approach to the maintenance, repair and conservation of this historic structure which is owned by the council.
Anyone wishing to book a tour of the burial ground text Quaker to 087-2421249.
After the unveiling of the information sign at the burial ground there will be a launch of the 200th commemorative edition of the Annals of Ballitore in community library and Quaker Museum by Kildare County Library services at 2pm.
The eircode for Ballitore library is R14FP78, and the launch will feature an address by John Mac Kenna the well-known author, playwright and expert on Mary Leadbeater.
Following the book launch there will be an exhibition of contemporary art and crafts reflecting on the life of Mary Leadbeater.
The exhibition will take place in the Meeting House R14A212. This exhibition is hosted by The Thread Shed, a group of dedicated crafters who meet fortnightly at the Meeting House, and they will be providing tea and refreshments.
