Jim Kerley(ODS) Marcus Howard (Historian, Film Maker) Michael Gaynor (ODS)
Marcus Howard delivered a wonderful lecture titled ‘The Greatest Prison Escape in Irish History -The Catalpa Rescue’ to a packed audience in the audio-visual theatre in the Louth County Museum on the 12 November 2025. The audience sat spellbound as Marcus weaved his way through the intricacies of the narrative, using his accompanying slide show to full effect. He used his verbal intonation to a powerful effect, showing his passion for the subject matter and powerful story telling ability. The conclusion of his presentation which cumulated in the ‘rescue of the six Irish Fenian prisoners’ from incarceration from Fremantle Penitentiary, Australia in April 1876 was greeted by great applause from the audience. An interesting question and answer session followed.