The Lucas Lecture 2025
Lionheart News:
Patrick Downes to Deliver Lucas Lecture 2025 in Monaco
Lionheart is proud to announce that our Managing Partner, Patrick Downes, will deliver the keynote address at the Lucas Lecture 2025, to be held on Tuesday, 21 October at 7pm in the Princess Grace Irish Library, Monaco.
The Lucas Lecture is an annual event dedicated to honouring the legacy of the Irish diaspora in global military history. Established in memory of the selfless heroism of Irish-American first responders on 9/11, the lecture series takes its name from Admiral Charles Lucas, the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for bravery in the Crimean War.
Lionheart has been proud to support the Lucas Lecture since its foundation, recognising its unique role in exploring the values of courage, sacrifice, and honour through the Irish experience on the world stage.
This year, Patrick Downes will speak on the theme:
Valour Without Borders: Irish Honour on the Global Battlefield
The lecture will trace the extraordinary contributions of Irish men and women who served in foreign uniforms across centuries of conflict – from the Wild Geese and the legendary Fighting 69th regiment of New York, to modern-day heroes such as Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, US Navy SEAL, awarded the Medal of Honor. It will also reflect on the distinguished awards of valour received by Irish-born and Irish-descended soldiers, including the Victoria Cross, the Medal of Honor, and the Légion d’honneur.
For attendees, the evening offers a rare opportunity to explore how Irish heritage and identity have shaped global history – from the trenches of the Crimea and the fields of France, to more recent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 2025 lecture marks a new milestone: the first time the Lucas Lecture will be hosted in Monaco, following its long-standing tradition at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, where it has previously been addressed by ambassadors, government ministers and senior military leaders.
Lionheart is honoured to continue its support of this important event, which celebrates not just history, but the enduring meaning of honour, remembrance, and service without borders.
Lionheart