Heritage Day at St Luke's Symposium

The Evolution of Cholera: from Victorian Sligo to Zambia today

This year we’re shining a spotlight on cholera – a disease, while now rare in Ireland, remains endemic in many regions of the world. The WHO has classified the period from 1961 to the present as the seventh cholera pandemic. 

Join our expert panel as they trace cholera’s journey from the first Irish outbreak in 1832, through its representation in literature, to today’s efforts to eradicate the disease in Zambia.  

After coffee we will host a powerful reading of Miasma, a play by Colin Murphy, inspired by Dr John Snow’s pioneering epidemiological research on the 1850s outbreak in London.  The play explores issues around trust in science and pandemic response – themes are critical today as they were 170 years ago.

Don't miss our special pop-up exhibition featuring items from our heritage collections, showcasing the history of cholera in Ireland.

This is a hybrid event, you can attend either in-person or online. For the agenda, and to register your place, click here