Iskra Iveljic, PhD, Professor of Croatian 19th Century History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, gave a lecture at the National University Ireland, Maynooth, on Irish noblemen in Croatia in the 19th and 20th Century.
The lecture explored the history of two Irish noble families (Nugents of Westmeath and Kavanaghs of Ballyane) that acquired landed property and castles in Croatia in the 19th century. The first to come to Croatia was Laval Count Nugent of Westmeath (1777-1862), a general, diplomat, art collector, and aristocrat of European importance. The Kavanaghs came to Croatia through the marriage of Simon Henry Kavanagh Baron Ballyane (1784-1830) to a local noble Leopoldina Moscon. The family lived in Croatia until 1940s. Professor Iveljic also discussed the role these families played in Croatian politics, art and culture.
The lecture was attended by the Ambassador of Croatia to Ireland Ivan MaĊĦina and First Secretary Dubravka Popic.
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