Support us in 2026
Membership, Donation, Patronage
We appeal to you for support and we are asking for this help and support through,
Membership,
Patronage or
Donation. We would like to thank all those who have contributed and supported us through the years and we actively encourage anyone who has an interest in Irish Palatine Heritage to support our endeavours by these means.
The IPA is a voluntary organisation and we rely on support from all people of Irish Palatine Heritage to help with the operation of the Irish Palatine Museum and organisation. Membership of the Association is 50.00 euros per year. The membership year runs from January to December each year. When membership is received in the course of the year, any literature published in the prior part of the year is mailed at the time of subscription. To learn of the many different ways you can help support us, please visit our
SUPPORT section for details.
German Day at St. Mary's Cathedral
Saturday September 5th St. Marys Cathedral Limerick
Austin Bovenizer IPA with Prof Gisela Holfter University of Limerick at the German Day at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick.
As part of German Day at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick, Austin Bovenizer gave a talk in conjunction with the exhibition The Irish Palatines: Our Shared Journey, which was on display in the Cathedral. This event formed part of a wider programme of events marking Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As part of the initiative, each of Ireland’s 26 counties has been paired with a specific EU Member State. Inspired by Limerick’s pairing with Germany, an Art Trail has been curated across Limerick city, exploring the rich and diverse German-Irish connections found in museums, galleries, colleges, universities, and cathedrals. The Irish Palatines: Our Shared Journey highlights the enduring historical and cultural links between Germany and Ireland and provides a fascinating insight into the shared heritage of the Irish Palatine community.
Following its display at St. Mary’s Cathedral, the exhibition will travel to libraries and other centres throughout County Limerick during the six-month period of Ireland’s EU Presidency (July to December 2026). Present dates include:
Watch House Cross Library 7th to the 14th of September
Lime Tree Theatre (in conjunction with the play Refuge) 21st to the 28th September
Rathkeale Community Council Centre 21st to the 28th of October
German Day Celebration - Deutscher Tag
Saturday September 5th St. Marys Cathedral Limerick
All are invited to attend St. Mary's Cathedral Limerick for a special celebration marking the Irish Presidency of the European Union and honouring Limericks twinning with Germany. Celebrations commence at 12.00noon.
12.00 noon - Lecture on the German Palatine connection
2.00pm - Ecumenical service with the German Lutheran congregation (followed with refreshments)
3.00 pm - Organ recital of German music
A small exhibition will be on display throughout the day.
New Irish Play and Palatine link
September 24th - 26th 2026 (Limerick) / September 30th - October 11th 2026 (Dublin)
A new Irish play titled ‘REFUGE’ by playright, Deirdre Kinahan explores Ireland’s complex history with migration through the experience of an 18th Century German Palatine family and a more recent arrival from Afghanistan. The play traces their journey and explores the connections between displaced communities of the past and those seeking refuge today. The play will be premiered in Limerick’s Lime Tree Theatre 24th– 26th September with further performances in Dublin’s Pavillion Theatre on 30th September - 11th October.
Deirdre was interviewed by Dearbhal McDonald on RTE Radio’s Brendan O’Connor show where she gave a brief outline of the upcoming play amongst other topics.
To listen to the interview, please CLICK HERE
Book Tickets (Limerick) -
CLICK HERE
Book Tickets (Dublin) -
CLICK HERE
Production Shots
© 2026 Fishamble
Visitors
Joe & Susan Rowe pictured with Vera Speiran
Mary and Eveleen Becker from Dublin.
Tracy Dixon from Melbourne, Australia.
Wales family from Australia
Norm, Brendan & Sarah Smyth from BC, Canada
Aisling and Ann O'Brien from Dublin.
Philip and Janet Murphy from Carlow
Patricia Coles UK, Ann & John Lillis, Limerick
Anne Sparling and friend from UK
Matthew, Jane and Edward Rose from UK
Elizabeth Miller & Sara Palin UK.
Marie & Heinz Lambach with Austin Bovenizer
Michael & Ann Keane with Chris Baker, Wicklow.
Gerda & Adam Berry, Dublin
Ed and Margaret O'Connor, Limerick
Visitors from the Palatinate, Germany
Madeline and Robert Wilkins, Limerick
Hildegard Cahill with the Glenageary Trekkers walking group, Dublin
Margaret Hennessy and friends from Limerick
Eleanor Clapp with Austin Bovenizer
Elma and Jim Sutton from Wexford
Dan & Martha Vining with Julie Spadeccini from NY
Emery, Margaret and Heather Williams, USA
Sandy Kreuser, Dean, David & Judy Ruckel, USA
Mick Reunion 2026
Saturday August 1st 2026
The Mick Reunion will be held on Saturday, August 1
st, at Micksburg Hall (Ball Park), 2769 Micksburg Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 6W4. Registration is at 11.00am followed by lunch at 12.00 noon.
Irish Palatine Association Journal (No.32)
In this current edition Patrick Breen revisits the Nathaniel Switzer letters which are published in IPA Journal 31 and sheds some new light on the Teskey and Shier families. Clare McCormick contributes an intriguing article about Mary Delmege and her acquaintance with the first Earl of Dunraven, Valentine Quin. Charlie McConnell recounts a family history journey relating to the Corneilles while Grant Doupe presents a DNA study that proposes an alternative origin for Johann Michel Daub. Dennis Jones delves into the Palatine involvement in the American Revolution. Pat Coleman offers a vivid account of Palatine family life in a sequel to his previous work published in Journal 31. Austin Bovenizer presents two pieces the first of which explores the colony agreements from Killeheen. The second provides insights into the Fitzelle family from the perspective of those in their ancestral German home. We include a letter from Hank Jones, author of several works on the 1709 emigrants, whose correspondence challenges the long held belief that the 1760 migration, led by Philip Embury and Barbara Heck was the first to North America, but instead it points to an earlier settlement that was now the state of Maine, USA.
...(more)
Includes material related to Switzer | Teskey | Delmage | Corneill | Doupe | Lawrence | Modular | Neazor | Fitzelle.
Annual Field Meeting
Sunday June 21st 2026
This years Annual Field Meeting service will take place on Sunday, 21st June in Ballingrane church grounds at 3.00pm. It is planned as an oudoor event but will be moved indoors should the weather not be favourable. This event commemorates the occasion when in 1756, John Wesley spoke to an assembled crowd from under an Ash tree on the Dunraven estate in Adare. Refreshments will be served after the service. All are welcome.
Visitors who called to us on the day of the Field Meeting, pictured (L-R) Arthur Guest, John Walsh, John Unsworth, Rev Dr Janet Unsworth (President of the Methodist Church), Gillian Kingston, Robert Ruttle, Tom Kingston, Elizabeth Guest.
Shier Reunion 2026
Sunday June 21st 2026
The 103rd Shier Reunion will be held on Sunday, June 21st at the Cannington Legion, which is located at 72 Peace St. Cannington Ontario L0E 1E0, starting at 12:00 noon. Enjoy!
Cappagh Womens Cave
Wednesday May 27th 2026
We were delighted to welcome members of Cappagh Womens Cave for a talk and presentation of the Irish Palatine story.
Coffee Morning Fundraiser
Friday May 15th 2026
A big THANK YOU to all who participated and helped support our Coffee Morning Fundraiser. We were so blessed with the weather as it allowed everyone to linger outdoors and to chat and have a really nice time and sample some of the tasty treats on offer.
Dolmetsch/Delmage/Dulmage
Thursday March 19th 2026
You are invited to join the Social hosted by the IP-SIG of the Ontario Genealogical Society, which will be focused on the surname of Dolmetsch/Delmage/Dulmage (or variants thereof). Some may be in a direct Dulmage line, others may be descended from Irish Palatines who married into a Dulmage family. Whatever the case may be, you are welcome to participate.
You are invited to join this Social hosted by the IP-SIG of the Ontario Genealogical Society which takes place on Thursday, March 19th at 7.00pm (EDT) 12.00am (GMT).
Webinar - Princes, Prelates and Palatines
Saturday February 21st 2026
Join Dr. Claire McCormick who will be presenting a talk titled Princes, Prelates and Palatines – some new perspectives on the Great Migration of 1709. In her recently published book 'European Migrants in Eighteenth Century Ireland: The Great Palatine Migration of 1709 and its Aftermath' (published by Boydell and Brewer), she suggests overlapping networks of religious groups across Europe, alongside British colonists, keen to settle the New World, enabled the movement of Palatines. She will also share some new insights into the early experiences of Palatines in Ireland.
You are invited to join this Webinar hosted by the IP-SIG of the Ontario Genealogical Society, on Saturday, February 21st at 10.00am (EDT) 3.00pm (GMT).
