January Lecture 17th January 2002 - Lynally Monastery

8 pm at the Research Centre
Our January Lecture is to be given by Dr. Rory Masterson who is a history teacher at the St. Columba's College Tullamore and who is also the Editor of our forthcoming Journal. Dr. Masterson's talk will be on St. Colman and his monastery at Lynally near Tullamore. The talk will centre on the life of Colman of Lynally, discussing, where he came from, why he founded the monastery at Lynally, his literary talents and his importance in the overall development of the Church organisation in the seventh century. The talk will also examine the subsequent history of his foundation atLynally and its links with Conor in Co. Antrim.

We are grateful to Dr. Masterson for undertaking this lecture and look forward to a good attendance.

Christmas Draw 2001

We want to express our sincere thanks to all the members and the general public who contributed to our Christmas Draw. It made a sum of £665 for the Society and will help to fund some our projects. The prize winners were as follows:-

  1. Angela Flanagan, Lowertown, Rahugh
  2. Peter Flynn, Leamore, Blueball
  3. Marie Garland, Birr
  4. Bill Jaffray, Spollanstown
  5. Jim and Teresa Kenny, Clara Bridge, Tullamore
  6. Carthage Flanagan, Cloonagh, Tullamore.

Burren Spring Conference

You might please note that a Burren weekend conference is being organised from the 1st of February to the 3rd of February 20002. Details are available from admin@burrencollege.com or from Ailsa Ellis, Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.

Lecture on 21st February Herman Geissell

Herman Geissell will give an illustrated talk on the Slí Mór.

Lecture on 14th March - early Christian Ireland

To be confirmed.

Projects in progress at OHAS Research Centre

Your help in prove reading articles would be greatly appreciated and if you would like to come along on Thursday evening there is plenty of work to be done in the way of proof reading. Our thanks to Kathleen Geoghegan and Breda Hoey together with Jim Kenny and Steve McNeill who have been helping on this front.

Projects in progress or completed

  • Typing Laois tombstone inscriptions - Killeshin, Sleaty, Graiguecullen, Mayo, Arles, Doonane, Castletown, Rathaspic, Shrule, Rathnure
  • Laois and Offaly information/directory 1957 for web site
  • Register of Trees Planted in Offaly 1793-1913
  • 1911 Census of Birr
  • 1911 Census of Tullamore
  • Administrative divisions, Offaly for web site
  • Armstrong Family account
  • Broughal Castle
  • Canon Guinan article
  • Charleville Demesne 1600-1900
  • Charleville Estate article
  • Ciaran of Saigir article
  • Disp Reg. Dists and Poor Law Unions, Offaly for web site
  • Early History of Tullamore - Dr. Moran for web site
  • Ferbane Collection 1830
  • Gallen and Kilreehan article
  • Gallen Priory article
  • Geashill Ratepayers 1883
  • Killeigh/Geashill Article
  • Killenard Graveyard Inscriptions
  • Land Owners Laois 1876
  • Land Owners Offaly 1876
  • Laois and Offaly Population stats
  • Laois Biographies - numerous names
  • Offaly Biographies for web site
  • Laois/Offaly DMP personnel
  • Lea Castle
  • Mac Auley of Calry
  • Midland Tribune extracts 1902
  • Monasteroris 1778-1978
  • Monasticon Hibernicum
  • O'Dempsey article
  • O'Dempseys from O S Letters
  • Offaly Baronies - description
  • Offaly Chronology
  • Offaly Civil Parishes description
  • Offaly History at risk
  • Offaly Independent articles
  • Official gleanings from 1787 for web
  • Ordnance Survey Name Books for Offaly
  • Plantation of Leix and Offaly
  • Rahan Estate article
  • Rahan and Lynally Churches
  • Sources for Offaly History for web
  • Tubber Parish article
  • Tullabeg article
  • Urban Archaeology Survey
  • Warburton Family
  • Rev Graham Craig diaries from 1870s

In addition to the computerization of the above in text or database format they have to be checked twice before they go to their appropriate slot.

Other tasks

Reorganising the photos collection
Updating our web sites
Family history research continues to be busy

Offaly Heritage Plan 2002-2006

Amanda Pedlow, Laois and Offaly Heritage Officer has asked that we send out the new Offaly Heritage Plan which was adopted by Offaly County Council in Dec 2001. This is the second county heritage plan to be adopted by a county council in Ireland, the first being Laois in November last. A printed copy of the document may be collected from the Research Centre during office hours.