The weekend of 17 and 18 October 2026 was memorable!
Brontë enthusiasts from Ireland -- the Banagher Brontë Group -- and a delegation from the Brontë Birthplace in Thornton were welcomed to Belgium by the Brussels Brontë Group for two days activities focusing on the Brontës and their Irish connections.
As both Brontë groups share the same initials and for practical reasons, I may sometimes refer to BBG1 for the Brussels Brontë Group, and to BBG2 for the Banagher Brontë Group. Let me start by presenting the groups involved in this weekend:
1: The Banagher Brontë Group was established in December 2023 with the aim of celebrating Banagher’s link with Charlotte Brontë and her husband Arthur Bell Nicholls. Arthur was reared in Banagher by his uncle Rev. Alan Bell. After his graduation at Trinity College Dublin he went to England and in 1845 he became an assistant curate to Rev. Patrick Brontë in Haworth. He left Haworth and returned to Banagher after Rev. Patrick Brontë’s death in 1861, and he died there in 1906. Charlotte visited Banagher in 1854 on her honeymoon and met Arthur’s relatives.
2: In the period 2022-2024, the Brontë Birthplace (BBP) in Thornton (the house where Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne Brontë were born) was purchased and lovingly restored in its former glory following a fundraising campaign and thanks to many local contributors, grants and other donations, and a lot of local community support. It was officially opened in May 2025 by her Majesty Queen Camilla, who has also accepted the invitation to become a Royal Patron of the BBP in June 2026. It is now a cultural and educational hub, as well as a major visitor attraction in the region. One can also stay overnight in one of the beautiful renovated rooms.
3: The Brussels Brontë Group was formed in 2006 with the aim of bringing together people interested in the Brontës and in the places associated with Charlotte and Emily’s time in Brussels (1842-1843). Charlotte’s time in Brussels -- partly with Emily, partly on her own – was very important to her. Her experience in Brussels as a pupil and a teacher, and her strong feelings for her teacher Constantin Heger eventually led to two novels: “The Professor” and “Villette”. Members consist of a wide range of nationalities. The aim is to celebrate the time spent by the Brontës in Brussels. To this end, the Brussels Brontë Group organises throughout the year regular talks, guided walks, a reading group for 19th century literature and other events. The group is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026.
The Irish weekend events started on Saturday morning 17 October. The Irish Embassy in Brussels opened its doors for participants and members from the Brussels Brontë Group, the Banagher Brontë Group and the delegation from the Thornton Brontë Birthplace. Two interesting talks were on the programme.
Prior to the morning agenda of events, the Irish ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Francis Conmy, welcomed all participants. He underlined that this meeting was important to the Irish embassy in the framework of its cultural activities developed under the current Irish EU presidency.
Mr. Conmy was presented with a gift from Ireland by the BBG2’s chairperson James Scully: a piece of bog oak representing friendship (“cairdeas”) between the different groups and nationalities. He also received a gift from the Brontë Birthplace delegation represented by Nigel West, a large print of a special Thornton Birthplace poem.
“Brontë Birthplace Thornton reborn”
Helen MacEwan, chairperson of the BBG1 committee, introduced the first speaker, Nigel West, head of fundraising at the Brontë Birthplace in Thornton.
The title of the talk was “Brontë Birthplace Thornton reborn”. Nigel has a special link with Banagher via his great grandfather who was a doctor in Banagher and a friend of Arthur Bell Nicholls, who became Charlotte Brontë’s husband. Nigel also is related to Arthur -- his father’s aunt was a cousin of Arthur.
In 1959, Nigel’s father inherited Hill House in Banagher (now Charlotte’s Way B&B) from his aunt. It is the house where Arthur lived when he returned to Banagher in 1861 and stayed until his death in 1906. In his talk, Nigel elaborated on the story of the Brontë Birthplace from its construction/refurbishment in 1802 by John and Sarah Ashworth, through the Brontë family’s time there, and then the use of the house after the Brontës left and up to the present day.
The Brontë family (two parents, six children and two servants) lived in Thornton from 1815 till 1820 (when they moved to Haworth). Patrick Brontë described this period as his “happiest years”. After the Brontës left, the house was used in various ways -- as a sweet shop, as a butcher’s shop, as a museum, as a café -- until it was purchased by the Brontë Birthplace Ltd. (a Community Benefit Society) and was in public ownership for the first time in 200 years.
Nigel mentioned the literary and family events of the Brontës while they were in Thornton, and also the various residents of the house and the structural changes that were made to the building over the years. It was extended to incorporate the side alley and an extra room in the front was added. The recent refurbishment of the house was extensive and a lot of attention was given to detail. For instance, the furniture placed in the house is all from the Brontë period.
The house is now open to the public for tours, there is a small café and shop and there are three rooms available for accommodation. I have visited the Birthplace and I can safely say that a visit to his wonderful place is certainly worthwhile. It is indeed a magical place! Nigel is very passionate about the Brontë Birthplace and his talk was very inspiring and informative.
Nigel also presented the special Brontë Birthplace poem to Helen MacEwan representing the BBG1, to say thank you for making this weekend happen.
“Charlotte Brontë – in sickness and in health”
The second speaker, Dr. Michael O’Dowd, was introduced by BBG1 committee member Ana Gauthier. Michael is a retired consultant obstetrician gyneacologist, an esteemed medical historian and author of two Brontë related books, the first on Charlotte Brontë’s honeymoon in Ireland and the second on Charlotte’s medical casebook. The latter was also the topic of this talk, with the title “Charlotte Brontë – in sickness and in health”.
In his talk Michael gave an overview of the medical practices available (or not) in the Brontë period with many historical references, explained the meaning of the word sickness (pointing out that “pregnancy” is not an illness) and the origins of the phrase “in sickness and in health”.
He emphasised that Charlotte was very knowledgeable about medicine and had access to a lot of medical information. He then went on to give more details about Charlotte’s final illness and death, based on written evidence, mainly letters written by Charlotte or her relatives. Charlotte’s death certificate mentions Phthisis (consumption or tuberculosis) as the cause of death.
Charlotte’s main symptoms, as explained in various letters, were fever, faint sickness, indigestion, frequent fever and skeleton emaciation. Vomit is only mentioned once. Michael pointed out that there are many forms of “sickness” and many forms of “consumption,” and that sickness does not refer to pregnancy. He showed possible pregnancy scenarios and the means to determine pregnancy in Charlotte’s time. There were no verifiable pregnancy tests until 1927. Abortion was a felony, so not an option.
Conclusion: Dr. O’Dowd presented a lot of medical and historical facts to show that the claim that Charlotte died of “hyperemesis gravidarum” (or excessive vomiting during pregnancy) cannot be conclusively proven by written evidence. Charlotte’s symptons are not consistent with pregnancy. It seems to be a myth transferred from one biographer to another without verifiable written evidence.
His talk was very lively, amusing, informative, fascinating and convincing. I am sure everyone who was present will agree.
The next event of the Irish weekend was a joint dinner Saturday evening. Good food, lots of drinks, chats, entertainment and singing were on the menu. A Banagher song, some Irish songs, as well as songs from the musical tribute to the Brontës “Love and Honour” by Michael and Christine O’Dowd (a melodic cycle of 10 songs celebrating the Brontë family), with special mention of the song “Brontë Birthplace, Maker of Dreams” and a special performance of the song “Emily: I Am a Woman” by Christine O’Dowd and James Scully. It was a very enjoyable evening with lots of Irish banter and fun.
Guided walk around Brontë-related places in Brussels
On Sunday morning we all met in the hotel for a walk around places with Brontë connections in Brussels. Everyone seemed surprisingly fit enough after the events of Saturday evening. Helen MacEwan from the BBG1 was leading the Brontë walk. We started the walk with a visit to the Protestant Royal Chapel.
Outside the chapel, Helen started by giving an historical presentation of Brussels before Charlotte and Emily’s time (1842-1843) and explained how Belgium became an independent nation in 1830. Helen is very passionate about Brussels’ history and has her favourite historical characters. She has done a lot of research in the framework of her own books and is very well informed. She brings the historical facts to life with passion and vigor.
During the walk, Joanne Wilcock read extracts from Charlotte’s writings (letters, Roe Head diary paper and her novels “The Professor” and “Villette”) to illustrate Charlotte’s feelings and opinions about Brussels, the Belgian people, her professor, teaching, and much more. We then walked towards the Place Royale with a brief stop at Rue Villa-Hermosa, one of the remnants of the old Quartier Isabelle where the Pensionnat Heger was situated. Helen reminded us several times of the correct pronunciation of the name “Heger”. Very important to get this right!
We walked towards the Catholic church on the Place Royale (Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg) where Constantin and Zoë Heger were married and where their children were baptised. The walk continued into the Parc Royal and the bandstand within the park. Helen pointed out that Charlotte and Emily would have walked these streets as well and seen these features. When reading “Villette” one will easily recognize many of these places and features! On the bandstand we were witness of another singing session by some of the Irish members. “Molly Malone” was very present in song. Very funny and so very Irish! I loved it …
The walk continued towards the site of the Pensionnat Heger school, down the Belliard Steps. The school building itself is no longer there. A commemorative plaque was placed by the U.K. Brontë Society on the wall of the current building of the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar) in 1979 to remind us of the time Charlotte and Emily were here. The whole Quartier Isabelle (including the pensionnat) was sadly demolished in 1909-1910.
As it was chilly outside there was a welcomed stop inside the Bozar building. Helen gave some more information about the Pensionnat, and also about Charlotte’s visit and “confession” in the nearby St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral. This was described extensively in “Villette” and in a letter to her sister Emily.
The Banagher Group took this opportunity to present Helen with a thank-you gift: a beautiful piece of Irish bog yew representing the cooperation (“Cur le chéile”) between the Brussels and Banagher Brontë groups in organising this Irish weekend.
The final stop on the walk was the second remnant of the old Quartier Isabelle, the Rue Terarken, near the Bozar building and the Ravenstein Hotel. Helen pointed towards the “blue plaque” which was placed on the wall by Brontë fans. This plaque commemorates the old Quartier Isabelle of which the Rue Terarken is a remnant. Charlotte and Emily definitely would have walked along this street towards the Pensionnat Heger in the Rue d’Isabelle.
Our Sunday walk ended with a joint lunch where we could all reminisce about the wonderful weekend events and about the new and old friendships that were forged. Plans for future events were formulated, contact details were exchanged.
This really was a memorable weekend with a very lively group. Some called it “MAGICAL”….. The weather gods had been kind to us and kept us dry for most of the time.
The luck of the Irish was with us this weekend. I really enjoyed it and I will keep happy memories of this weekend forever in my heart. Happy days!
Marina Saegerman
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