Our July tour will be to County Laois to visit the following:-

A Walking tour of Portlaoise Town commencing from the square in Portlaoise at 2.30p.m. or from OHAS Bury Quay at 1.45p.m. on Sunday the 27th of July. If you are interested in travelling on a bus to Portlaoise please let us know one week beforehand together with your phone number. The cost of the bus will be about e6 per head. The tour is intended to visit Portlaoise town at 2.30p.m. and Dunamase at 4p.m. If time allows we hope to visit Emo Gardens (but not the house) for a picnic tea. If you have any queries please contact John Kearney, Margaret White or Steve McNeill at 21421.

Our thanks to Teddie Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society for assisting with organising the tour.

Laois Heritage Journal
The Laois Heritage Society has produced an attractive first journal which is available at the centre for e10.

Membership renewal
Many thanks to those who have renewed their 2003 membership to date. There is still a small number outstanding.


Heritage Books for sale 2003
Enclosed with this newsletter is our list of publications for sale at the centre together with prices. If you are interested please call or email us.

Paul Walsh Essays
The Paul Walsh Essays lately published with a new introduction and edition by Nollaig O Muraile is now available from the centre at a special price of e50. The retail selling price is e95. The book consists of about 600 pages and is a must for people interested in the early history of the Midlands. Paul Walsh's essays have long been out of print and very difficult to buy and expensive.


Dublin outing 23 August
Our visit to Dublin centres including the Council Chamber in Dublin City Hall Museum and Print Museum in Beggers Bush will leave for Dublin at 8.45a.m. on Saturday the 23rd of August. We also intend to take in the new Pearse Street local history library collection for Dublin. If you are interested in attending the cost will be about e15 euros per head for a bus together with admission charges. Please book your seat early to avoid disappointment.

Tullamore Jail Exhibition
About 40 to 50 people attended the recent launching of the exhibition which runs until mid August at Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre. Why not go along and see it before it is taken down. An attractive poster is also available at €3.

Journal 2004
If you are still finishing your article please hurry and let Dr. Rory Masterson of Screggan Tullamore have it shortly.

Lusmagh Video Tape
This film entitled "Lusmagh Landscape, history, people, 3303 AM - 2003 AD is available at the Centre priced €20.

Shinrone in old photographs
Shinrone in old photographs is to be launched on the 26th of July at 8.30 pm in Shinrone Community Centre . You are welcome to attend. The Society was happy to help in the publication and copies of it will be available at the centre. It is an attractive publication in the same format as the Killeigh, Rahan, Clara, and Tullamore Town albums and will be a great addition to the series of photographs for Offaly. The entire work has been undertaken by Noel MacMahon and copies will be available at the centre in soft back and hard back.

Industrial and Archaeological Survey of Offaly
Mr. Fred Hammond is currently undertaking a survey of the industrial archaeological sites in County Offaly and is making great progress. This survey has been undertaken on behalf of the Heritage Office, Offaly County Council.

FAS training programme
Our thanks to all on the last FAS Scheme and to FAS Management and staff for their assistance over the years with our training schemes. The present scheme finished at the end of May and we are not expecting any renewal until November. In the meantime volunteers are needed at the centre and if you would contact Steve McNeill he will be to arrange a programme of work and a time for you. We can't pay you but we can give free coffee and lots of satisfaction.

Offaly History.com
Don't forget to consult our website and refer people to it who are looking for material on Offaly local history. Likewise if you are interested in Family History, why not look at our website irishmidlandsancestry.com.