Visit to Daingean and District
On Saturday next 21st June there is an outing to places of historic interest in Daingean and District led by John Kearney. Cars travelling from Tullamore should meet at the Research Centre, Bury Quay at 1.30 pm and proceed via Wood of O and Kilmurry Cross to Ballycommon Training Centre to meet at circa. 2 pm. Here we will hear something of the history of the old Church of Ireland church, graveyard and rectory.

On then to Daingean and out to Killaderry graveyard to arrive circa 2.30 pm. This is the site of the medieval parish church and the burial place of Fr Andrew Mullen much resorted to for cures. Return to Daingean to the old reformatory, the site of Gallows Hill, the Grand Canal and see the gaol foundation stone of 1826. The library is the next stop to see one of the armorial stones which were saved when the fort was demolished in 1927.

To the other end of the town then to take in the old courthouse, the church and churchyard including the burial place of Lewis Carroll's grandfather. From here we can cover the old Methodist meeting house, the RC church and the old fort to which the town owes its origin and a mention of the schools.
Please note that non members are also very welcome along.

Visit to Portlaoise area on Sunday July 27th under the auspices of the Laois Heritage Society.
Offaly Heritage Forum has set in progress an industrial archaeology survey in the county being undertaken by Fred Hammond. To date he has identified 763 industrial sites of which 149 were mills. When the survey is completed and the report submitted it will be the standard for further research in this area. The Society has provided access to its library to Mr Hammond.

Tullamore Jail Exhibition
Will be officially launched on Thursday, June 19th @ 8.30 pm. The old jail building will be looked at in all its guises that its history has covered, ie jail, Salts Spinning mill and currently business park. The invitation to attend this launch is open to all who had any connection with the building over the years particularly the Salts years. The occasion will also give the local visitor an opportunity to view the other exhibitions on Tullamore town, distilling industry and Grand Canal and see how the three are connected.

Killaly Plaque
At this launch a plaque to commemorate John Killaly, surveyor and canal engineer, will be unveiled. In addition to his work on the Tullamore to Shannon Harbour stretch of the Canal he was also involved in the building of the jail, opened in 1830. The cost of the plaque is being borne jointly by Tullamore Dew Heritage and the Historical Society.

Membership renewal
Thanks to your response nearly all memberships for 2003 have been paid up with just a small amount still due. If 2002 appears on your address label, then your sub is still due. Please pay as soon as possible.

The Late Liam Cox
The Society extends its sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late Liam Cox of Moate who passed away recently. Having lived to a great age, he was a member of the Society for many years. He was a keen student of local and family history and published a number of books and regularly contributed articles to local journals. He had a deep interest in his native Moate and his passing will be much regretted.

Laois Heritage Society Journal
Congratulations to our neighbouring Society on the publication of their first journal recently. This is a fine presentation with a wide range of articles from a number of contributors. Comprising of 108 pages it retails at €10.