Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society - Articles - 2008 Newsletters

Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society Newletter - April 2008

no@spam.com (OHAS ) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:57:24 IST

OFFALY HISTORICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Web site: www.offalyhistory.com Email: ohas@iol.ie Telephone: 057-9321421

NEWSLETTER April 2008

D E Williams Family and Workers Exhibition

The launch of this exhibition organised by Ita Galvin takes place at the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre on Wednesday 30^th April and now continues.

Declan McSweeney memoir

Declan’s account of his time as a journalist and his reflections on the changing Tullamore in the 1990s can be purchased at the Society for €12.99. Only 100 copies were printed so hurry and buy one.

Clara Bog Article

An article has just appeared in Irish Geography volume 41 number 1 ( March 2008) on ‘The changing landscape of Clara Bog: the history of an Irish raised bog’.

The article is by Patrick Crushell and others and a copy is in the Society’s Library.

New Websites

Offalyhistory.com is still undergoing change and we would be glad to have your comments on the new website.

Irishmidlandancestry.com is another of our websites which has family history material and again we would be glad to have your comments.

For those of you are interested in Archibishop Rinuccini and his visit to Ireland. He spent some time in West Offaly before his departure in the late 1640s. You will be able to look at the six volume account of his work in Ireland now in English translation and indexed at www.ulster.ac.uk/commentarius. For further details of this site you could look at a recent publication in History Ireland which is available at our library.

Journal no 5, 2007-08

Journal 2007/8. The journal issued on St. Patrick’s Day and it runs to over 300 pages and it is available from the Society for €20 (postage in Ireland €4). From many accounts it is the best yet and we hope that you have purchased a copy.

Offaly Naturalists Field Club – Programme of Events for 2008

Saturday 26th April, Woodland Walk. Golden Grove Wood (behind Dromakeenan School). Meeting at the School at 14:00. Plant outing led by Fiona Devery.

Tuesday 13th May, Squirrels in Offaly. Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore at 8pm. Talk by Geoff Hamilton.

Sunday 18th May. Celebrating National Dawn Chorus Day. Meeting at 04:30am at Turraun Car Park, adjacent to Pullough. Event led by David Watson of Birdwatch Ireland.

Wed 28th May. Batlas introduction and Daubenton’s Bat Training event for volunteers, event led by Tina Aughney of the Bat Conservation Council. Meeting in Birr (venue to be confirmed) at 20:00 followed by site visit. For more information see www.batconservationireland.org To register your interest in being a volunteer email tinaaughney@eircom.net

Saturday 7th June. National Moth Night. Meet at Teach Lea, Boora Parkland Offices at 21:30. Talk followed by field trip, led by Alex Copland.

Saturday 14th June. Corncrake Evening. Birdwatch Ireland, Crank House in Banagher, walk in Callows in County Galway. Starting at 21:30. Event led by Anita Donaghy.

Saturday 21st June. Petrifying springs and horsetails. Walk up the Silver River led by Stephen Heery. Wellington boots advisable. Meeting at the car park at Cadamstown at 11:00a.m.

Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July. Offaly Summer School. Daily field trips to proposed Eco-Nodes. Venue to be confirmed. Booking required with Heritage Office 05793 46839. Cost €100. Co-ordinated by John Feehan.

Friday 4th – Sunday 7th September. Geology Weekend based in Kinnitty Community Centre, two outings on the Saturday and Sunday. Booking essential. Please contact the Heritage Office on 05793 46839. Price €20.

Rocks in the making: the geology of Offaly over the last 10,000 years.

This year the geology weekend looks at how the events of the Ice Age and its aftermath shaped the world we live in – and may influence our future.

Saturday 1st November. Wintering birds walk at Turraun / Boora. Bird Atlas winter fieldwork starts on this date. Meet at Turraun Car Park, adjacent to Pullough, at 11:30. Event led by Alex Copland of Birdwatch Ireland.

Individuals and families are welcome. No experience required. Please dress appropriately for outdoor activities and bring your own refreshments.

For further details please contact the Heritage Office of Offaly County Council on 05793 46839 or by email apedlow@offalycoco.ie Please email the Heritage Office if you would like reminders about events or if you would like to be notified of other heritage events.

See our website for more information and for updates to the programme:

www.offaly.ie/offalyheritage

The Offaly Naturalist Field Club Programme is an initiative of the Offaly Heritage Forum.

Hidden Landscapes: Searching for the Lost Kingdom of Mide

NRA archaeological exhibition at Belvedere House, Co. Westmeath

April-September 2008

Discover life in the early Christian monastery of Clonfad and find out about its residents and their crafts. Find out about hundreds of skeletons that were uncovered at Ballykilmore and learn about who suffered from aching diseases and who died by treacherous means. Learn about ringforts and the people who may have lived there.

A series of archaeological excavations were carried out in advance of the N6 Kinnegad-Kilbeggan and N52 Mullingar-Belvedere Road Schemes between 2004 – 2006. Over sixty archaeological sites were excavated ranging in date from prehistoric to post medieval times. The results of these excavations have now come to fruition and have produced some very interesting and exciting evidence.

This exhibition, Hidden Landscapes: Searching for the Lost Kingdom of Mide, will focus on the results of three of the large-scale excavations at Clonfad, Ballykilmore and Rochfort Demesne in Co. Westmeath. It will provide a glimpse into the early medieval world of the ancient kingdom of Mide which extended into present day Westmeath.

A selection of both original and replica artefacts will be displayed which will provide a unique opportunity for the people of Westmeath to view firsthand these wonderful discoveries.

The exhibition will also introduce the public to the fascinating world of archaeology and the archaeologists and scientists who fit the pieces of our past together.

Dr. Aidan O’Sullivan of UCD will launch the exhibition at Belvedere House on Wednesday the 16th April. lt will be open to the general public from mid April to September 2008. It will also go on tour at various venues around the county after this period.

Admission is free

This exhibition was undertaken by Valerie J. Keeley Ltd. on behalf of the National Roads Authority.

For further information contact Orlaith Egan, NRA archaeologist at Westmeath National Road Design Office T. 044 9334250 or oegan@nra.ie

Rahan Monastic Site

A beautiful new publication on Rahan Monastery will be launched it is expected on 9 June and copies will be available from the Society for c €10

Ordnance Survey Letters for Offaly

Dr Michael Herity is finalising this new edition which will soon be available at €60 in hardback. The book which will be handsomely illustrated will be available at a reduced price to members.

Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society Newletter - March 2008

no@spam.com (OHAS ) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:28:22 GMT

OFFALY HISTORICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Web site: www.offalyhistory.com Email: ohas@iol.ie Telephone: 057-9321421

NEWSLETTER March 2008

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Land Agent in King’s County 1830-60: Targets of Agrarian Crime by Ciaran Reilly.

Monday 3 March 2008

This lecture will commence at the OHAS centre at Bury Quay at 8.15pm and is open to the public with free admission.

The Irish land agent has been a much maligned and vilified figure in Irish history and social memory. In the wake of the Great Famine when culpability was needed, the agents amongst others were liable for much of the blame. In recent years much has been written about the ‘Big House’ and indeed individual landed estates. However a study of the Land Agent, his social background, mindset and psyche has yet to appear.

Ciarán Reilly, a PhD student and Department of Modern History scholar at NUI Maynooth is currently carrying out research on the role of the land agent and the management policies of the landed estates in King’s County (Offaly) 1830-60. He is the author of two recent studies of the Downshire Estate at Edenderry. In this lecture Ciarán will identify who the land agents were in King’s County at this time; what their social backgrounds were and discuss how many became targets of agrarian secret societies in the county. As many as nine land agents were assassinated in a fifteen year period by elements of a disconcerted tenantry. This statistic appears to have been unprecedented or rivalled in other parts of the country. Indeed in 1852 one land agent was refused life assurance because of the nature of his employment, highlighting the dangers that many faced. This lecture will deal with local figures such as George Heenan, George Garvey, Francis Berry, Thomas Murray, the Manifold brothers and many more.

Woodfield House, home to George Heenan agent for the earls of Rosse at Birr Castle

February European History introduction through the film medium.

The fourth and final film and talk on the fall of Stalingrad marking the decisive turning point in the Second World War will take place on

Thursday 28 February at 8.15 pm “Fall of Stalingrad” a documentary in the World at War series, original footage with commentary from leading historians to conclude this introductory series to European history.

A Boer War account 1899-1902

We have been recently donated with a handwritten history by a local man, Pte. John Hogan, who served in the Boer War. Here he describes his life during that time. If there is anyone who would wish to type this account could they please give us a call.

Offaly events index

One of the principal functions of the FAS project is the computerised indexing of Offaly events in local publications. At the present time we have over 22,000 records in the database. Below is a short sample of the type of material going in. The entries are placed under date, place, event and source, the latter being the reference and in most cases in the example here they are from the Midland Tribune.

Year	M	D	Place	Event	Source
1907	09	14	Tullamore	The quarter sessions where judge Curran granted committal orders against one - hundred labourers and artisan at the suit of the Tullamore Urban Council for refusing to pay rates	MT
1907	12	14	Offaly	Winter Assizes the following cases heard before the Lord Chief Baron in Wicklow, County Kildare prisoners sentenced and Edenderry sacrilege case	MT
1907	12	07	Offaly	Winter assizes held before the Lord Chief Baron Pallas. Cases included the following, Carlow man charged with embezzlement, possession, The Suncroft burglary, Naas grievous bodily injury case, Alleged indecent assault	MT
1907	11	30	Edenderry	A special court held on Thursday charged Patrick McDonnell with the robbery of poor box in a chapel in Killane. The court was held before Mr. Eugene P. O'Brien	MT
1907	11	30	Edenderry	Patrick McDonnell being arrested at Tullamore charged with having committed sacrilegious robbery in Edenderry	MT
1907	11	30	Offaly	An election of a coroner for North King's County took place at the County Council Dr. Kinsella was defeated by Mr. Conway for the position	MT
1907	11	23	Tullamore	an article written by Brian na Banban in Irish with translation included also some Irish Ireland Notes	MT
1907	09	14	Tullamore	Rev. McMahon impressive funeral in the family burial ground at Tullamore Ballyroan	MT
1907	10	26	Edenderry	Meeting of the Sinn Fein held before Mr. D. Shiel where Mr. Burke replied to the communications addressed to him about the programme for the coming winter	MT
1907	02	23	Tullamore	Tullamore Union Alleged Irregularities Midland Tribune 23/02/1907 Mr. Wm Adams presided at the weekly meeting of the Tullamore Board of Guardians held on Tuesday last. The other members present were – Messrs C Doorley, M E Cunningham, James F Egan, K Molloy, James Mahon, John Gorman and M H White, The clerk, Mr. E J Graham, was also present.	MT
1907	03	09	Tullamore	Tullamore Notes Midland Tribune 09/3/1907 At long last the local branch of the Industrial Development Association has awakened from its long slumber of apathy. Let us hope that it won’t be caught napping again. The hope for the future of the Irish Development Association in Tullamore cannot be reasonably looked upon as by any means bright.	MT
1907	02	23	Tullamore	Tullamore District Notes. Creditable Midland Tribune 23/02/1907 Taken all round, Tullamore may be reasonably regarded a most peaceable, law – abiding town. The brevity of last Saturday’s Petty Sessions must be decidedly gratifying to every local man, more especially when we take into consideration the fact that the fair was held during the week. Fairs as everyone knows are very frequently characterized by drunkenness and even more serious offences. But Tullamore seems to be immune in this respect, as there were only a few charges heard at the court referred to, and these were against parties for intemperance. The magistrates present were – Messrs J Sullivan (in the chair); H Egan, and J Hayes. A similarly creditable state of affairs was noticeable at the Town Court, which was held by Mr. Sullivan at eleven O’clock.	MT
1907	01	05	Birr	An Irish Ireland Night Lecture and Concert in Birr Midland Tribune 05/01/1907 We had a foretaste of what the Irish Ireland Movement is doing to nationalise the people On Wednesday night, the occasion of the splendid lecture on the Early History of Birr, to which Rev. T Molloy treated a vast crowd of highly interested listeners in the Presentation Brothers School. It was certainly a most pleasing function throughout and the attention with which the large audience received it was sufficient evidence to show that the subject, and the manner in which it was dealt with, were appreciated to the highest possible degree. Fr Molloy went into a subject embracing centuries in a masterly manner leaving out no detail of interest and confining a lecture redundant with historical lore into a comparatively short space of time. His explanations of several limelight views, which were exhibited during the course of the evening, were lucid, simply worded, yet withal deep and learned, and showed that the lecturer was thoroughly acquainted with the History of Birr. It would be invidious to go deeper into a criticism of the lecture. Suffice it to say that he kept a delighted audience spell-bound for an hour that passed all too quickly. In order to afford an opportunity of enjoying an intellectual treat to those of our readers who for any cause were unable to be present in the Presentation Schools on Wednesday night, we have decided to publish the lecture in installments in our Gaelic Supplement. No less an attraction was the splendid Irish Concert, which followed the lecture. It comprised an ideal musical programmed vocal and instrumental and a fine display of Gaelic terpsichorean art. The programme was necessarily a short one but gives one a very good idea of what we may expect during the year, when Irish night will be the order for our entertainments. Mrs. Barry was heard to very great advantage in her rendering of “O, when he who adores Thee,” and it is not to be wondered at that she is a favourite with local audiences. Her splendid song was the opening of the Musical programme. ….	MT
1907	05	04	Tullamore	Tullamore and District notes Midland Tribune 04/05/1907 Just a few miles outside Tullamore a fire took place on Monday night 22nd April, in a bog which is part of the Digby Estate. The damage done, we are happy to say is only very trivial, how the fire originated appears to a mystery. ______________ Not a little sensation was caused in Tullamore on Wednesday morning, 24th April, when it became known that Judgment had been marked against Messrs D E Williams Ltd and P Smyth, for £65000.00 in connection with alleged irregularities in the management of the Distillery. It can be scarcely be assumed that considering the severity of the Excise laws, there was any systematic fraud carried on, for heavy penalties can be imposed for mere technical omissions in the preparations of the permits, This has been the case with regard to the Tullamore distillery. The penalty is an exceptionally heavy one, but it may be mitigated. …	MT
1907	05	04	Tullamore	Wedding in Tullamore Midland Tribune 04/05/1907 Mr John McGrath, of William Street, Tullamore, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Alice Casey at the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, on Wednesday morning, the 24th April. Both parties are popular in Tullamore. the bride has been engaged as nurse under the Board of Guardians and the care and attention with which she treated every case under her charge endeared her to her patients. The bridegroom is a prosperous saddler and carries on business in the town. He is a Tipperary man by birth, and like his amiable bride, is highly esteemed here	MT
1907	04	20	Cloonagh	The Heather Ablaze Midland Tribune 20/04/1907 A great fire broke out on Monday night in the heather on the Connelly Bog, Cloonagh. The flames spread on towards the Charleville and Digby properties. Several fainted in the locality rendered assistance to cope with the flames which were got under control after a few hours. The cause was accidental.	MT
1907	04	20	Clareen	The Clareen Hurling Tournament Midland Tribune 20/04/1907 On Sunday the 28th inst, Clareen will be the scene of some magnificent hurling Contests. Eight teams representing the cream of the hurlers of three counties will take part in the tournament. (1) Roscrea and Birr, two promising teams will meet again in friendly contest, when Roscrea will make a gallant effort to recover the laurels that fell to its rival in a recent encounter. (2) Next the famous Lorrha team will try conclusions with the redoubtable hurlers of Kilcormac. A fine match this will be. (3) Then the Camross team – a splendid team – will show the “Drumcullens” the heroes of “The Holy Ridge” how the game is played in the Wooded Valley” beyond Slieve Bloom. (4) But the match of the day will be the contest of the Champions, Kilcotton V Coolderry. Long the Champions of their respective counties, those teams are admittedly grand exponents of the art of wielding the caman. This match therefore will doubtless prove to be the prettiest exhibition of the National game that has been seen in the Midlands for many years. In the intervals between the matches brass and fife and drum bands will discourse soul stirring National airs, whilst winsome cailini will supply wholesome refreshments at nominal fare. Altogether a glorious day’s sport is in store for the thousands who will visit Clareen on Sunday week first match at 1.30 p. m.	MT
1907	04	13	Tullamore	The Departure of Mr S Wright Solicitor Midland Tribune 13/04/1907 The departure is announced of a popular Solicitor in the person of Mr Warren S. Wright, who has secured an important position under the Argentine Government. Mr Wright was a great favourite in Tullamore and had a pretty large practice in the County Courts. With his many friends we join in wishing him long life and prosperity.	MT
1907	03	09	Tullamore	Tullamore Industrial Association Midland Tribune 09/03/1907 After a regrettably long interval of apathy the Tullamore Branch of the Irish Industrial Development Association has bestirred itself and will in every probability be as active and determined as ever in a very short time. The movement was started in Tullamore under very promising auspices indeed; prominent local men some of them already engaged in kindred movement joined the branch and supported the movement financially and otherwise. For a time all went well; the organization increased in influence and was instrumental in gathering local industrial interests a good deal. Curiously enough when the branch seemed to have reached the Zenith of vigour the attendance dwindled away gradually and finally it was found impossible to successfully convene a meeting.	MT
1907	03	23	Cloghan	King’s County Midland Tribune 23-3-1907 The final for the County Hurling Championship comes off at Killourney Cloghan, on Sunday next, 24th inst. The match is expected to be one of the best contested yet held in this county for some time. It would be hard to say what the result may be; some say that the champions (Coolderry) are confident of retaining the laurels, while others are of the opinion that they must give way this time to the Kilcormac boys. Mr. J. Duffy will referee. On Easter Sunday the King’s County football pick meets Wexford at Jones’s Road. A Stiff Contest is expected. With a judicious pick the King’s County men should win, A Special Train starts from Banagher for the convenience of the players, etc.	MT
1907	03	09	Birr	Grand Hurling Display in Birr Tullamore Tribune 09/3/1907 The quiet old town of Birr was more than usually alive on Sunday last when as previously advertised, the Roscrea “Sinn Fein” Hurling Clubs, senior and Junr, in response to an invitation from the Birr Fontenoys, senior and Junior visited Birr to play the above matches. The weather proved all that could be desired, embracing in every respect; hence as the promoters anticipated, when the Rivers town Band arrived at 2 p m Practically speaking, every sportsman for miles round the Model Town” was in attendance in the field so kindly lent by Mr. John Byrne, Main Street, for the occasion. The junior teams immediately lined up, and with Mr. James Dooley as referee, not a hitch occurred during the 80-minute hard play, which followed. The Fontenoys having the advantage of the field for the first half, appeared to fully avail themselves of the opportunity having at the interval cored 7 points to 1 for the visitors. The second half was very evenly contested. However in the end the home team got possession several times, and at the call of time had placed 1 goal 9 points to their credit against 1 point for the visitors. The contest between the senior teams was looked forward to with more than usual interest, it been the first appearance for Roscrea, and the second for Birr since their re-organisation. “Fontenoy” again won the choice of goals, and selected playing with the fall, after which the spectators were treated to a most scientific display far exceeding their expectations; yet at half time the home team had two goals 1 point to their credit, against 1 point for the visitors. After the interval the Roscrea men made strenuous efforts to come level, forcing two points in quick succession. Yet before the final whistle sounded the home team again rallied, and though the defense proved sound, the forwards forced their way and added a well earned goal, leaving the score - Birr (Fontenoys) 3 Goals 1 Point; Roscrea (Sinn Fein) 3 points.	TT
1907	03	16	Tullamore	Tullamore Contractor’s Complaint Midland Tribune 16/03/1907 In a letter to the Tullamore Board of Guardians at their meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Thomas English complained that in the recent selection of tender, some of his had been rejected, although lower then the ones accepted. If he did not get fair treatment from the board he would press the matter further. He instanced the following contracts in support of his statement-Sugar-Accepted tender, 18s per cwt; His tender, 17s 6d. Arrowroot-Accepted tender, 12s 6d. his tender, 12s 4½d. Cocoa-Accepted tender, 1s 0½d; his tender a farthing lower. Irish Blackening-Accepted tender, 2s 2d per box; his tender, 2s It was pointed out that in the case of the arrowroot, it should have been tendered for by the tin, and Mr. English had tendered by the box. Mr. English’s cocoa was inferior to the one A accepted, and so was the rice. That was the reason why his tenders were not accepted. The clerk said he could not offer any explanation as to why Mr. English’s tenders for the sugar and the blackening were not accepted, and he presumed that it was a mistake were not to be wondered at. ….	MT