On Sunday September 19th 1847 a public meeting took place on the Fair Green in the village of Holycross, Co. Tipperary.

The meeting was organised by farmer-turned-journalist, James Fintan Lalor, who lived near Abbeyleix in Queen’s County.

On Saturday September 19th 2020, the 173rd anniversary of that fateful meeting, "Ireland's Hope", James P. Bruce's new study of James Fintan Lalor, was launched in Holycross.

Following his keynote speech the principal speaker, John Waters, introduced the author, James P. Bruce.