Nothing Else to Do: The Fenian Raids, 1866 – 1870

Speaker: Bruno Paul Stenson, M.A.
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Centennial Hall,
             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

The last invasion of Canada was staged by Irish nationalists who wanted to create an independent country. They succeeded, but with one wee problem: they created the wrong country. Find out how in this lecture.

Bruno Paul Stenson is a social historian who has been giving entertaining lectures since 1984. A fluently bilingual graduate of McGill and Concordia universities, he has earned a diploma in Public Relations Management, Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and in History, and a Master's degree in History which he earned with a thesis on the reasons why Jean Drapeau changed his mind about Expo 67. A volunteer guide at the Château Ramezay Museum since 1995, his public education efforts earned him the Museum Volunteer Award from the Canadian Museums Association in 2015, the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada in 2016, and the Château Ramezay Centennial Medal from the Château Ramezay Museum, also in 2016. He was made a Fellow of the Château Ramezay Museum in 2026. His many lecture topics include social history, science, and music (he owns and plays some 250 different musical instruments).

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Trois grands parcs de Montréal

Speakers: Renée Labrèque and Robert Hamilton, GFA
When: Thursday, October 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Centennial Hall,
             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in French followed by a bilingual question period

A captivating exploration of three iconic parks that have shaped Montreal's history, urban development, and identity, brought to life by our speakers.
🌄 Mount-Royal Park: A mountain in the heart of Montréal: Discover the park’s early history, its iconic chalet, the lookout, the lake, its monuments… and the vision for its future.
🌳 La Fontaine Park: From its original name to what it has become: a look at what it was, what it is, and a tour of the park through time – past and present.
🌍 Frédéric-Back Park: From a quarry to a landfill, and then to a park unlike any other in the world: the incredible transformation of a site into a symbol of ecological innovation and urban resilience.

Renée Labrèque taught law for 31 years at CÉGEP Garneau in Quebec City and served as a volunteer guide during 12 summers at Saint-Louis Church on Isle-aux-Coudres. She has called Montreal home for the past 12 years. She is a member and volunteer at Carrefour Marguerite-Bourgeoys, chair of the board of directors and leader of a book club, a member of the Montreal Historical Society, and a lecturer.
Robert Hamilton is a Certified Genealogist (GFA). He worked as a television technician at Télé-Métropole and Radio-Québec. He is a member of the Société généalogique canadienne-française, a member of the Société historique de Montréal, a member and volunteer at the Carrefour Marguerite-Bourgeoys—where he leads genealogy workshops—and a lecturer.

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Mount Royal Cemetery Celebrities

Speaker: Myriam Cloutier
When: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Centennial Hall,
             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4
Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Interesting facts and anecdotes about the lives of famous people buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery: artists, politicians, military heroes, athletes, and more. Former Beaconsfield residents will also be part of the presentation. Founded in 1852, Mount Royal Cemetery will celebrate its 175th anniversary next year!

Myriam Cloutier is Director of Heritage Programs at Mount Royal Cemetery. She is also the Coordinator of the Friends of the Mount Royal Cemetery, a charitable organization which helps preserve and promote the tremendous natural and historical treasure that the Mount Royal Cemetery has become since its founding in 1852. She has been working at the Mount Royal Cemetery since 1995 and leads historical tours of the cemetery.

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