2009 Tercentenary Commemorations
Celebrations commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Palatines arrival in Ireland. The event was well attended by participants from Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Ireland.

German Ambassador to Ireland His Excellency Busso von Alvensleben chatting with Robert Ruttle (foreground) and Dr. Patrick O'Connor (author "People Make Places - the Story of the Irish Palatines" / background) at the Irish Palatine Association Tercentenary Commemoration Celebrations Welcome Dinner at Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday 4th September.

Gathering at Grange Stone Circle near Lough Gur, Co.Limerick

On the stairway at Castle Oliver, Ballyorgan. Castle Oliver was the home of Capt. Silver Oliver who invited Irish Palatines from the Rathkeale area onto his estate in 1759.

Rev. D. A. Levistone Conney reading some prayers at the quayside with Councillor Tom Shortt remembering Irish Palatines who left Limerick for America in 1760 under the leadership of Philip Embury.

Journal Launch (2008)
Rev. Robin Roddy was guest speaker at the launch of the IPA Journal. The title of this lecture was "Limerick Methodist Saints (and some sinners)." He spoke of Barbara Ruttle Heck who is often referred to as the Mother of American Methodism and her inspiration to others including Philip Embury who began his work in New York which led to the formation of the Methodist Church in America. Others he spoke of were Thomas Walsh who was a remarkable linguist, proficient in Latin and Hebrew, as well as English and Irish and was described by John Wesley as one of the best biblical scholars he had known. (report in Journal no. 16)

Journal Launch (2005)
Rev. D.A. Levistone Cooney spoke on the Switzers, their contribution to Irish life, including the story of Switzers shop of Grafton Street, Dublin. Guests from Hochdorf-Assenheim were in attendance. Assenheim is the ancestral German home of the Irish Palatine family, Switzer. Wines from the Palatinate were served.

Irish Palatines at Home (1999)
Weedend event attended by members from Ireland, USA, New Zealand, England. (full report in Journal no. 10)

Visitors from Bornheim (1996)
70 visitors from the town of Bornheim under the leadership of Burgermeister Dieter Horner visited Rathkeale and hosted a traditional Palatine dinner at the local community centre to which 70 local people were invited. The group had travelled by bus from their hometown bringing all food and wines for the occasion. (full report in Journal no. 7)

Palatines to Ireland (1995)
The 10 day event was attended by 45 members from around the world together with 45 people from the Palatinate. A banquet was hosted by Limerick County Council and a wine reception was hosted by the Mayor of Limerick, Alderman Jim Kemmy T.D. Participants also met the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland Mr. Dick Spring T.D. (full report in Journal no. 6)

Return to the Ancestral Homeland (1994) -
Co-ordinated by Esther O'Connor, this once in a lifetime trip was made possible by Monika Lauer (Palatinate journalist), and her many friends and acquaintances who helped to make this event unique. The hectic 10 day programme would not have been possible without their full co-operation. Attractions included private castle banquets, town community events, sight seeing with the assistance of an Air Club as well as meeting the Palatinate Landrat (Governor) and other local dignitaries. (full report in Journal no. 5)

Back to the Heartland - an Irish Palatine Homecoming (1992)
This was a great gathering of the clans. Baker, Bovenizer, Fitzelle, Micks, Piper, Poff, Ruttle, Shier, Shouldice, Schumacher, Smeltzer, Sparling, Speiran, Switzer and Teskey were among the descendants from around the world.
From Germany, (led by the German Ambassador Dr. Martin Elsasser), were Dr. Rudiger Renzing (author of Pfalzer in Irland) and German nationals resident in Ireland as well as print, photographic and television journalists. (full report in Journal no. 3)

Foundation Stone Ceremony (1991)
Officiated by Rev. William Buchanan, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland. Also in attendance was His Excellency Dr. Martin Elsasser, German Ambassador to Ireland as well as IPA members and the local community.