"The Irish Franciscans in Prague 1629-1786", published by Karolinum Press in March 2015, is a revised English edition of the book by Jan Pařez and Hedvika Kuchařová "Hybernians in Prague - History of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception in Prague (1629-1786)", published in 2001 by Oswald Publishing and translated by Jana Stoddart and Michael Stoddart.

The first public presentation of the book "The Irish Franciscans in Prague" took place in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin on 28 April 2015 thanks to the initiative of the Czech Embassy and support of the Karolinum Press, Charles University Prague, the authors, the Irish Franciscans, the Royal Irish Academy and the Institute of Mícheál Ó Cléirigh for the Study of Irish History and Civilization.

The official programme was excellently moderated by the Director of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute Dr. John McCafferty. Keynote speeches were delivered by co-author Jan Pařez and Minister Provincial Hugh McKenna and were accompanied by remarks by RIA President Prof. Mary Daly, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at Charles University Ondřej Pilný and Ambassador Hana Mottlová.

The guests also enjoyed music by Czech and Irish composers from the period - Adam Michna of Otradovice, Turlough O'Carolan, Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara, performed by an amazing Czech-Irish trio: Kateřina García (vocals), Síle Denvir (harp) and Robert Harvey (flute).

The event was very well attended, inter alia by experts, church representatives, diplomats, journalists and Czechs living in Ireland.

 

Speech by the President of the Royal Irish Academy Prof. Mary Daly

 

Speech by the Minister Provincial Hugh McKenna

 

Speech by Dr. Jan Pařez

 

Presentation of the book - from left: doc. Ondřej Pilný, Hugh McKenna, Dr. Jan Pařez, former Ireland´s Ambassador to the Czech Republic Richard Ryan