The Ambassador of Latvia, Mr. Juris Štālmeistars, is scheduled to open a new exhibition at Edgeworthstown Library on Monday, 13 July, at 7:30 p.m. Titled “The Extraordinary Life of Abbé Edgeworth,” the display commemorates the life of the Longford-born priest who served as confessor to King Louis XVI during the French Revolution.
Who was Abbé Henry Essex Edgeworth?
Born in Edgeworthstown in 1745, Abbé Henry Essex Edgeworth was a relative of the author Maria Edgeworth. According to Longford County Library and Archives Service, he moved to France with his family and was ordained as a priest in 1769. During the height of the French Revolution, he served as confessor to King Louis XVI and the King’s sister, Madame Elizabeth. Following the execution of the King in 1793, Edgeworth fled France, eventually serving as chaplain and almoner to the exiled King Louis XVIII. He died in 1807 in Jelgava, in present-day Latvia.
What does the exhibition feature?
The exhibition brings together rare archives, artifacts, and historical objects from across Ireland, many of which have never been displayed in public before. Loans have been secured from several institutions, including the National Library of Ireland, the Archives of the Irish Capuchin Province, Glenstal Abbey, and the Maria Edgeworth Centre. According to Deputy Chief Executive of Longford County Council, John Brannigan, these items were gathered through the collaboration of various custodians to tell a story of “faith, exile, loyalty and international connections.”
Why is this exhibition significant?
The event highlights a historical link between County Longford and Latvia. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan, stated that the exhibition sheds light on an “extraordinary figure” whose life spanned major events in European history, yet remains largely unknown. By hosting the Latvian Ambassador, the council aims to bring this local history to a wider audience and demonstrate the international reach of the region’s heritage.
What happens next?
The exhibition will remain open to the public at Edgeworthstown Library until 14 August, during standard library operating hours. Following the conclusion of the display in Edgeworthstown, the exhibition panels are expected to travel to other libraries throughout County Longford. According to the organizers, the panels may also be made available for loan to other interested institutions after their tour of the county.
Worth a look
