A Pint of History: Last Words and Epitaphs

EVENT DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 @ 7:00 PM

Event Details

Join us at The Irish Harp Pub for another evening of A Pint of History, presented in collaboration with The Tattooed Historian and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum.*

Just days before Halloween, this edition explores famous final words: the flashes of wit, fear, stubbornness and accidental poetry that were caught in the moment and carried forward. From the quips of writers and artists to the recorded last lines of soldiers, monarchs and everyday people, we’ll look at how a single sentence can become a legacy. We’ll also wander through the world of epitaphs, those carved attempts to sum up a life in a handful of words. Some are solemn, some are strange, and some are unexpectedly funny.

To mark the season, there’s an interactive twist. Everyone in the room gets the chance to write an epitaph of their own. It can be serious or playful, reflective or mischievous. Think about how you’d want to be remembered, or what final line you’d choose if you could write it yourself.

Audience participation is at the heart of the evening. Come for the history, stay for the conversation, and enjoy a night that fits the spirit of late October without losing its sense of humour.

Admission is free, and we will be collecting donations with all proceeds benefiting the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s Expansion Project—a meaningful way to support the preservation and sharing of local history.

We invite you to reserve your spot for “A Pint of History” by emailing info@theirishharppub.com

John R. Heckman, known to many in the history field as The Tattooed Historian, brings the past to life with the energy of a storyteller and the insight of a scholar. A public historian, educator, and doctoral student at Brock University, John has spent years turning history into something that people can feel, not just memorize. With a background in military and cultural history, he’s built a career on making complex stories more accessible, engaging, and relevant.

His work spans digital media, public talks, creative writing, and community education, all rooted in the belief that history is most powerful when it’s shared in everyday places. At The Irish Harp Pub, John blends scholarship with atmosphere, offering audiences a mix of historical storytelling, surprising connections, and the kind of conversational insight that turns a night out into something memorable. His goal is simple: to make the past feel alive, meaningful, and worth talking about.

https://www.facebook.com/thetattooedhistorian/

Event Poster

Reservations & Cancellation Policy

We Are Now Accepting Reservations For “A Pint of History”. Please make a reservation by emailing us at info@theirishharppub.com OR by filling out our Contact Form. This is a free admission event and space is limited. Food & drink is available at regular menu pricing. Taxes extra – gratuities not included.

If you have to cancel your reservation for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible so we can open the space up to our waitlist.