Lecture 6th March 2003
Exploring Local History on the Internet, CD's and other information data bases, pilot project on Discovering Tullamore - illustrated with Power Point.

The subject of the talks on the 6th of March will be firstly about local history on the internet and various information data bases which are now available including Wills, World War 1 Dead, Boston Pilot's 'Missing Friends'.

Secondly we have prepared a draft of a proposed CD for schools in County Offaly and the first of these is entitled Discover Tullamore. This illustration will be in Power Point showing Tullamore old and new and bringing us through the history of the town briefly with a view to getting suggestions and improvements from the public and from teachers as to what changes we should make before final drafting and publication.

Both talks can be treated as part of the learning curve for all concerned and hopefully you will come along to participate. The speakers on the night will be drawn from the Committee of the Society with contributions from the floor.

20th March 2003
Glassmaking in County Offaly with particular reference to ShinroneThis is the subject of the lecture to be given on the 20th of March 2003 at Bury Quay at 8.15p.m. by Caimin O'Brien. Caimin was involved in the production of the archaeological survey of Offaly and has lately co-edited a similar publication for North Tipperary. He is a member of the Offaly Heritage Forum and has done excellent work across the county. We look forward to having his lecture in March.

Geraldine Stout to give lecture on Newgrange and the Bend of Boyne.
Geraldine Stout, a leading Irish archaeologist, and the author of the recent best seller Newgrange and the Bend of the Boyne, will give an illustrated lecture on Newgrange and the Boyne Valley at the OHAS at Bury Quay Tullamore on the 10th of April '03 at 8.15p.m. The lecture is a public one and all are welcome.

In her lecture, Geraldine Stout will trace the origin of the evolution of the area from geological origins to the Neolithic tomb builders and the Roman pilgrims visiting Newgrange, to St. Patrick who "began his Christian mission in Ireland", the arrival of the Cistercians; the impact of Cromwell, the drama of the battle of the Boyne, and the transformation of the landscape by the eighteenth century stage. Ms. Stout is a first class lecturer giving great verve and gusto to the subject which itself will be handsomely illustrated with maps and photographs.

18th September 2003
Dr. Terry Dooley on The decline and fall of the Country House in Ireland with particular reference to the Midlands.

16th October 2003
Oliver Dunne - The people on the land of Croghan in the nineteenth century.

7th December 2003
Christmas Lunch at Bridge House Tullamore. Guest Speaker Peter Harbison on Clonmacnois: An illustrated life.
Clonbullogue History book sought

June Carthnew is looking for a copy of The Life, the times, the people Clonbullogue Walsh Island and Bracknagh published in 1993. If you have a copy to spare please leave it into us with the price and we will get in touch with her.

OHAS Journal 2004
A recent meeting of the committee for the 2004 Journal was held and it was agreed to look to the 30th of June 2003 as the deadline for copy. If you are interested in contributing an article why not do so and please get in touch with any member of the committee or in particular with Rory Masterson, Screggan, who is the editor of the journal. We got a very favourable response to the 2003 issue. If you have not purchased a copy why not do so before it goes out of print. The cost is only €10 which has been heavily subsided by the Society. Postage (Ireland and UK) is an extra €3.

www.offalyhistory.com
We have again made great improvements to this site and we hope to make available shortly a list of the articles on the site for your information. The total number of articles would now be well in excess of 100 with perhaps 2000 pages of text available on the site. The most recent addition is the Ordnance Survey Letters for the County of Offaly based on the Flanagan typescript of the 1930s. Currently Four Masters Press are considering a new issue of the Ordnance Survey letters for County Offaly in October/November of this year. We wish them every success with the undertaking.
Summer Outings and Excursions Your suggestions are immediately required in relation to summer outings and excursions. The programme of lectures for the year is mostly set now .

The late Matt Spain
The Society wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Matt Spain of Birr. He was, for many years, a loyal and active member of the Society. He supported in many ways and was a keen book collector. Birr community and local history has lost a great friend.

Annual sub €25 only
If you have not already paid your sub would you please do so as soon as possible as it greatly helps to fund the Society. Thanks to those who have already done so.