Lecture on Clonfert

Mr. Christy Cunniffe will give an illustrated lecture on Clonfert Cathedral and surrounds on the 18th of January 2001 at Research Centre, Bury Quay. Mr. Cunniffe is an acknowledged authority on this area and is a member of the Society. Clonfert is now listed as one of the one hundred top monuments in the world in need of preservation.

We look forward to seeing you at this lecture which is, of course, open to the public.

For your diary please note the following:-

15th Feb 2001

Lecture on the Development of Tullamore; the past fifty years, the next fifty years by Fergal McCabe Architect and Town Planner.

This meeting will be chaired by the County Manager Mr. Niall Sweeney and we look forward to a substantial attendance.

15th March 2001

Mr. Charlie Doherty of the Department of Early History in UCD will give an illustrated lecture on the early history of the midlands.

Further details to follow.

25th April 2001

Mr. Adrian Corcoran of Rahan Tullamore and now doing research at the Department of History in Maynooth will give a talk on the early monastic history of Clonmacnoise.

Further details to follow.

May/ June / July / to be finalised.

20th September

Mr. Paddy Hughes, the former managing director of Bord na Mona and just lately retired will give a lecture on reflections on his time at Bord Na Mona.

Further details to follow.

October/November to be finalised

9th December

Our Speaker at the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore will be Mr. Niall Sweeney County Manager for the annual Christmas Lunch.

Christmas Draw 2000

Thanks to all who subscribed to the Christmas Draw for the year 2000.

The net amount raised was about £700. The prizes in this year draw were won by the following:-

Turkey: -- Michael Nestor, Jimmy Kidney and Anne Cusack Clara. Ham: -- Maureen Kincaid

Cake: -- Roger Neville, Charleville Rd.

Biscuits: -- Catherine Guerin Arden Rd.

Whiskey: -- Rachel Dunne, Lowertown Rahugh.

Chocolates: -- Josephine Mangan Daingean.

Books: -- Mr. Bill Jaffray, Spollanstown

Sincere thanks to all subscribers.

Members of Parliament for Kings and Queens Counties 1585-1800

Mr. Frank Meehan the author of two previous books on this subject is to publish a new book on the members of Parliament for Kings and Queens Counties (Laois and Offaly)from 1585 to 1800 in a hardback edition at £25. Cheques for sponsorship and purchase should be sent to Laois Heritage Society, 2 Butler House, Peppers Lane, Portloaise, Co. Laois.

New Publications

Congratulations to Paddy Heaney on his new book and sincere thanks to him for his lecture at the annual Christmas Lunch in December 2000. His book is available now at the Society shop for the sum of £12. This is a substantial hardback book and well worth the purchase price.

Visit of AOB from Pearl River, New York

Some eighty members of the Pearl River Ancient Order of Hibernians Association will be visiting Tullamore for the weekend commencing on the 16th of February. The visit will terminate with an evening meal at the Tullamore Court Hotel on the 18th of February. If you would like to be associated with any aspects of this trip or to attend the meal on the Sunday night would you please contact Steven McNeill.

Tullamore Dew Centre

A visit to the Tullamore Dew Centre at Bury Quay with a tour by Steve McNeill and Michael Byrne has been arranged for Saturday the 20th of January at 11a.m. to finish with lunch in the centre at about 1 o’clock. This promises to be an interesting morning and your attendance and your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The cost of the tour is about £3 and this includes a whiskey tastings at the end of the tour.

Emailing of Newsletters

Please note that we are now in a position to email your newsletter at a considerable saving to the Society and time and expense and if you have an email address would you please let us have it as soon as possible. For those who have not already done so would you please renew your subscription for the year 2001 as soon as convenient. We enclose direct debit (with postal newsletters) which may be of assistance to some members in paying their annual subscription. The membership subscription is £20 for individuals and families.

£250 for Corporate Membership.

The Library Evenings

The Library evenings resumed on Thursday the 4th of January. If you would like to help with some of our projects or just come along to read in our Library please do so on the Thursday nights. The Library is open from 7.30p.m. to 10.30p.m. each Thursday.

New up dated Website

Our thanks to Sean Hackett for his great work on our updated site at www.offalyhistory.com . Please have a look at this site and we would be glad to have your suggestions for improvements and additional material.

Deceased members

Our sincere sympathy to the family of the late Ms. Thompson of Clara who died in her 96th year and who was a member of the Society for many years.