For anyone around County Monaghan this evening, this talk by Claire McPhillips on Catholic migration from Monaghan to Connacht in the late eighteenth century kooks fascinating. A subject on which I know little but eager to learn more. Details below. cahans.ie/event/migratio…

Visited a museum on religious belief and cultural practice in a former medieval Nobertine Abbey in Leuven. The highlight for me was seventeenth-century sculpture on the ceilings of the abbey library and refectory!

Third day of the seminar ended with a tour from Raphael Ingelbien of the Great Beguinage 'a city within' within the city of Leuven which was a religious community of lay women (who did not take vows) and which is now accommodation KU Leuven and a UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 World Heritage Site

Finished my week at Leuven with a visit to KU Leuven University Library, where I climbed its tower. The library was twice attacked by the Germans during both world wars and and was twice rebuilt from scratch. Last pic shows the Town Hall and St Peter's Church from the tower

Happy twitter anniversary to TheVictorianCommons. One of my favourite of their blogs is their account of Edward Lucas as Peel's Irish under-secretary. I'm now sitting in Bedfordshire Archive reading Lucas' correspondence with the lord lieutenant, Earl de Grey. victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2016/08/23/mp-…

It's been over a year since I was last in Liverpool to consult the Derby papers at Liverpool Central Library and Archives. I was back on a flying visit today to see reports from the chief inspector of every county on the strength of the repeal campaign in their respective counties in May 1841.

Last year I didn't get to visit Archdiocese of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King so I was delighted to be able to visit it today. Opened in 1967 and nicknamed 'Paddy's Wigwam', it's one of the most unique church buildings I ever seen. The colours inside are amazing.

Nice to chat with you too Patrick and great that you enjoyed the day.

Last day of the ploughing today. Our exhibition has been mobbed - not, as some predicted, by the anti-Dublin brigade, but by thoughtful, curious, charming people. Thousands of them! Thank you to everyone who has given us such a warm welcome.

Many congratulations to our senior research fellow Martin Spychal on the publication of his first book!