Saintfield Heritage Society hosted a commemoration of Saintfield’s most famous son, Francis Hutcheson, on the date of both his birth and death, 8th August. Over 80 people heard five speakers sharing thoughts on his life and writings and the impact these had on the evolution of liberal democracy. Thanks are due to 1st Presbyterian Church, Saintfield, for allowing the event to be held in the Guildhall of the church that Francis’ grandfather founded. Thanks also to Tom McCormick and the 1st Presbyterian Boys Brigade for preparing the refreshments.
The group also visited the memorial garden in Saintfield and the castle and 1st Presbyterian Church in Killyleagh, where Francis Hutcheson attended the dissenting academy.
The Blue Plaque commemorating Francis Hutcheson is on the front of 1st Presbyterian Church Hall.
1st Saintfield Presbyterian Church
Over 80 people attended ...
... including 28 people from Dublin. Geoffrey Perrin, the chair of Saintfield Heritage Society, welcomes everyone.
Local historian Philip Orr gave his talk entitled, "Who was Francis Hutcheson?"
Local historian Martyn Todd making his presentation on Saintfield in the era of Francis Hutcheson.
The attendees then made their way to the Memorial Garden.
The garden remembers the fallen at the Battle of Saintfield, 9th June 1798.
One of the headstones on what was York Island.
Martyn Todd giving the background to 1798 and the United Irishmen.
Robert Perceval-Price gives the establishment view of the Battle of Saintfield.
Then it was back to the Guild Hall for lunch ...
... and a bit of craic!
The afternoon session began with Dublin-based writer and historian Fergus Whelan's talk entitled "Francis Hutcheson and Dublin".
Clara Rose Thornton, a descendant of slaves and two Irish great-grandfathers, who said that she was the living embodiment of Francis Hutcheson’s ideas of equality put into practice.
The afternoon session in Saintfield was brought to a close by philosophy graduate Cathy Barry and her talk on "Francis Hutcheson's thought".
The attendees then made their way to Killyleagh where Francis Hutcheson received his early education. Here they are at Killyleagh Castle.
The formal session of the day ended in 1st Presbyterian Church, Killyleagh. The attendees then returned to Saintfield.
