OFFALY HISTORICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Web site: www.offalyhistory.com Email: info@offalyhistory.com Telephone: 057-9321421

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NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2009

Monday 19 October 2009 at 8.00 pm at OHAS BURY QUAY

A.P. W. Malcomson - ‘The Rosse papers and other big house archives’. This lecture is from the standpoint of someone who has spent a lifetime exploring the big house archives and is not specifically about the Rosse papers. Dr Malcomson has catalogued the Charleville Papers now in Westmeath County Library.

Anthony Malcomson was educated at Campbell College, Belfast and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and was awarded a PhD in history by QUB in 1970. Most of his working life was spent in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland, of which he was director from 1988 until his retirement in 1998. His publications include John Foster: The Politics of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy (Oxford 1978), Archbishop Charles Agar: Churchmanship and Politics in Ireland, 1760_1810 (Dublin 2002), Primate Robinson (1709-94): ‘A very tough Incumbent in fine Preservation’ (Belfast, 2003), Nathaniel Clements: Government and the Governing Elite in Ireland, 1725-75 (Dublin 2005) and numerous articles essays and editions. In 2009 Dr. Malcomson published the second volume on the Clements family entitled Virtues of a wicked Ireland; The Life and death of William Sidney Clements Third Earl of Leitrim (1806 -1978). In October 2008 he published an important book for Offaly History on the Rosse Papers of Birr. This book is of immense importance for people interested in politics for nineteenth century King’s County and can be ordered through the Society.

BIG HOUSE ARCHIVES

This lecture is about the methodology of sorting and listing archives from ‘big houses’ in Ireland, from the initial states of making contact with the owners, through the intermediate state of rummaging in the library, the attics, the estate office and often the pigeon loft, to the final state of making the list fit for presentation on the shelves of a public search room or for publication by the Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Anthony Malcomson joined the staff of PRONI in 1967 and, as noted was the Director of that institution from 1988 to 1998. During that time he specialized in the administration of big house archives, both those already deposited in PRONI, those still to be run to earth, and many in the 26 counties of Ireland and not strictly in PRONI’S bailiwick. Among Offaly archives he has ‘majored’ on the Rosse Papers in Birr Castle and on the Charleville Papers now in the Longford / Westmeath Library.

For those accustomed to using neat and tidy lists of already processed archives, it will be of interest to hear about the difficulties experienced and the decisions taken in the early out-ward bound phase of the operation.

We are very fortunate to have Dr. Malcomson come to speak to the Society from Belfast and we hope for a full house on this occasion. Attendance is free of charge and tea/coffee will be served after the meeting which will commence at 8p.m. The public are welcome to attend.

30 November 2009 Philip McConway, ‘The Free State army in County Offaly, 1922-24’. Please note the revised date.

Friday 11 December 2009 Annual Christmas party at OHAS Bury Quay.

Local History Course on County Offaly Autumn 2009

A Local History Course on aspects of Sources for County Offaly History is in progress with two nights left to run. Currently about 12 people are on the course.

Thursday 15 October: Books and periodicals published on Offaly History – Michael Byrne

Thursday 22 October : Maps for County Offaly history – Niall Sweeney

In January 2010 we will again hold a European History Course

Details of films and readings to be advised and continue on 21 January, 28 January and 4 February.

Family History Course Spring 2010

After a very successful course last year we propose to have a second family history course this year to commence on Thursday the 11^th of February 2010 with the subject matters to be as follows:-

11 February at 8p.m. Photographs for family history

18 February at 8p.m. Directories of trades and occupations for family history

25 February 2010 The wonderful world of wills

30 February 2010 Newspapers in Offaly Family History

11 March 2010 Maps for family historians

OFFALY NATURALIST FIELD CLUB EVENTS

Friday 16^th and Saturday 17^th October

Mushroon Hunt – The Lives of Fungi: Some awesome and gruesome details.

Friday 8.00pm Meet at Kinnitty Community Centre for a preparation talk by John Feehan

There is always a great interest in mushroom hunts and this offers a great 24 hours starting off with a talk all about fungi on the Friday evening and a trip to collect and identify fungi on the Saturday.

Sunday 1^st November

Winter Migrant Birds

11.30am – Meet at Turraun, part of Lough Boora parklands adjacent to Pullough. Alex Copland of BirdWatch Ireland will lead the trip to see what birds have arrived to over winter in Offaly.

Discover Tullamore event

Participation in this recent event proved very successful for the Society. Publications for sale were a very popular attraction and several new members were enrolled. Family history information and our internet site were demonstrated on computer. All the Society’s activities and functions were publicised and many of those present were shown around the library. The two history tours were an outstanding success. We estimated that about five to six hundred people passed through our display. All who attended will have learned a great deal more on what contribution the Society makes to the community. Many thanks to our staff who came in and helped on the day and who set up the stands.

Newspapers – a source for Local History

Newspapers are a brilliant primary source for local history research and for some time now we have been drawing up a computerised events index including newspaper articles of reports and stories relating to Offaly. In addition to the local newspapers, one title dating back to 1831, we have also been looking at the Irish Times which commenced in 1859.

Below is listed a sample of some of the local stories which appeared in the 19^th century.

24/08/1859 Rahan

On Tuesday, the 16^th instant, John O’Brien, Esq., J.P. , of Rahan, Tullamore, brought a mowing machine on a portion of his property, of which he had lately got possession under ejectment proceedings having been obliged to adopt this course in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining mowers to cut and labourers to save the crop. The horses having become restive, the mowing machine could not be worked on that day, and on the same night a party of armed men visited the house of the man who had been in charge of the horses, and, having taken him forcibly out of bed, threatened to shoot him if he ever worked again in a similar way for his master. On yesterday Mr., O’Brien proceeded to the same lands with the mowing machine, accompanied by about 200 men, all of whom were his own tenants, and 100 horses. Sub-inspector Watkins, with a party of 30 of the constabulary from Tullamore, were in attendance, so as to prevent any violence being used, but no attempt, at outrage was made. The field, consisting of 11 acres, was cut down before evening set in, and the grass carted off the lands to Mr., O’Brien’s lawn, about two miles distant, where he expects to make it into hay without further molestation. We understand that Mr. O’Brien is a Roman Catholic gentleman who gives much employment in the locality. He is a member of the Board of guardians of the North Dublin Union, and has a residence in that city, where, as well as in his own neighbourhood, he is very generally respected.

31/01/1860 ANOTHER OUTRAGE NEAR TULLAMORE

I regret that another outrage was committed near this town, on Saturday night. A man named Hewitson, a miller, was leaving the town when he was assailed in a most cowardly manner, by some man, who knocked him down, kicked, and beat him severely. He was most severely injured, and at present lies in a dangerous condition in the county infirmary. A man who is supposed to have been the assailant has been arrested. Hewitson is a most respectable, inoffensive man, and it is difficult to assign any reason for the outrage.

11/11/1859 [Daingean] Court of Common Pleas

This was a motion, on behalf of the defendant, to set aside the service of the writ, of summons and plaint, on the ground that, inasmuch as he was at present undergoing his sentence of penal servitude, he could not be legally served without the order of the court, which had not been obtained. The action was brought to recover the sum of £15; and the summons and plaint described the abode of the defendant~ ”Philipstown Convict Prison, King’s County”. In his affidavit he stated that he was tried and convicted in Green-street, for forging and uttering a cheque; that he was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude, which he was now undergoing in Philipstown Convict Prison. Counsel contended that he was not amenable in a civil action, and that, even if he were, the order of the court should have been obtained authorising the service on him of the summons and plaint. Mr Kernan, Q.C., With Mr. Tottenham, appeared in support of the motion.

26/07/1860 Gas lighting in Tullamore July 25: - Pursuant to the statute 17^th and 18^th Vic. (Towns Improvement Act), a meeting of the “rated occupiers and lessons of, and in, the town of Tullamore” was, on Thursday last, convened by a requisition, signed by Captain the Hon. Alfred Bury, and Dawson French, Esq., for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of adopting towards the improvement of that, the county town, the provisions of the act, in whole or in part. Messrs. Dowling and Whelan, solicitors, appeared on behalf of the promoters of the measure, and Mr Sheppard, of Roscrea, for those opposed to its introduction.

01/08/1861 Cricket; Tullamore v Geashill

A match was played between these clubs on Friday, on the estate of Lord Digby, which resulted in favour of the former, having seven wickets to go down. Geashill having won the toss went in. The batting was good, especially that of Mr. Mallinson and Mr. Flanagan. However, they were disposed of for 57 in both innings. The bowling of Messrs. Belton and James Redley was very good. The Tullamore men played very well, the batting of Messrs. Flanagan, John Redley, and Dann was steady, especially the latter, who played remarkably well. The round-hand bowling of Mr. Mallinson and Nesbit was excellent, doing great execution. The players were very much pleased at the hospitable manner in which they were received by Thomas Weldon French, Esq., J.P. the agent for Lord Digby. Lady Digby, Miss Digby, Mrs. And Miss Clarke, favoured the field with their presence in the evening.

28/05/1862 (Philipstown) [Daingean]

To be let, in Philipstown, a Tan yard, with drying lofts, etc; also a Chandling House, both in complete working order, with several dwelling-houses attached; can be let for any term of years required. These premises could be used as a corn store, or made available for the carrying on of any business requiring room. For particulars apply to Mrs E Payne, Philipstown.

30/07/1862 Caution to Workhouse Girls ~ At the Tullamore Petty Sessions held on Saturday last, a girl who had been an inmate of the Tullamore Workhouse was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for absconding from the house, and taking with her the clothes of the union. Another who also had been an inmate; was sentenced to two weeks imprisonment for deserting her child.

04/07/1864 Edenderry Workhouse, Friday: - Today an adjourned inquest was held before W. A. Gowing Esq., coroner, on the body of Patrick Conroy, an infant child. It appeared from the corroborated evidence of the mother, Mary Conroy, that she, her infant, and mother were inmates of the Edenderry workhouse, and without any apparent reason were desired to leave for Tullamore. When Mary Conroy left for Tullamore the child was ailing, and it appeared that she had no means whatever to sustain the failing strength of her infant- no food, no clothes, and not even a place to lay her head. The poor babe died on the road to Tullamore in the arms of its mother, and she was obliged to carry the corpse of her offspring a distance of five miles back to the Edenderry workhouse, where she was re-admitted. The mother lived almost entirely in the district of the union, so that great indignation is felt at the treatment which has apparently hastened the death of the infant. The jury, after some deliberation, returned the following verdict: “That Patrick Conroy died of convulsions, resulting from pneumonia, and we are further of opinion that this child’s death was hastened by the withholding of medical aid, cold, and exposure; and we do not know who is culpable for this neglect”.

1877/05/15 SUDDEN DEATH IN TULLAMORE

Yesterday, Robert Gunning, Esq. for years past principal manager, and for the past two years - agent, over the Charleville property, died suddenly at his residence in Tullamore. Few men have been removed by death in the King’s County whose demise has given rise to such a universal feeling of sorrow, and the suddenness with which he was snatched away has heightened the deep regret of the people, Mr. Gunning rose on Monday morning in his usual health, and when dressing himself after breakfast he dropped dead. Disease of the heart was the cause of death. The deceased gentlemen showed himself as shrewd as he was humane, and the best proof of this is that no man can deny that he has left behind him, as the result of his good management, one of the most prosperous properties in Ireland. Both the Countess of Charleville and Lady Emily Bury are at present absent from home, but the death of their valued agent will probably be the cause of their immediately coming back to Tullamore.

1878/03/30 A POLICEMAN IMPRISONED

At the monthly Petty Sessions at Kinnitty on Tuesday, before Colonel Bernard J.P., and Captain Cole Hamilton, resident magistrate, Sub-Constable Shannon, of the Cadamstown station, was put forward charged with committing a grievous bodily assault on Sub-Constable Nolan of the same station?

From the evidence tendered it would appear the accused broke out of his barrack after roll call one night about four weeks since, Sub-Constable Nolan went in search of him, and immediately after coming across his the alleged assault took place. Shannon was under the influence of drink, and while being conveyed to the barrack he drew a bottle from his pocket and struck Nolan in the face, inflicting severe wounds, and completely disfiguring his face. It was stated, on behalf of the accused that his previous conduct in the force was exemplary and this caused the justices to deal lightly with him. After hearing the evidence, and taking into consideration the gravity and bad example of the assault, the accused was sent to Tullamore Jail for nine months, and ordered to be kept to hard labour.