Forthcoming Events

15th August Tombstone Inscriptions

We intend to record tombstone inscriptions in Mucklagh Cemetery from 2p.m. to 4.30p.m. for anyone who would like to come along and help. This is part of a policy to try and complete the reading of the tombstones for all of Offaly cemeteries, particularly those that are closed. About 75% of graveyards in the county have been recorded to date and our thanks to Maureen Kincaid who has done a lot in this area in recent times. Unfortunately the inscriptions are deteriorating rapidly in recent years and if old stones are not recorded shortly they will become illegible.

Tullamore Streets, Then and Now

19th August 2004 (Thursday) will see a presentation hosted by OHAS and Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre on Tullamore Streets, Then and Now. This is a look back at Tullamore using old pictures and new pictures to show how the town has evolved and changed since 1900. Takes place in the Research Centre at 8.30 pm.

22nd August 2004 (Sunday)

Is a walk through Charleville Demesne with James Howley, Architect as guide, commencing at 2 pm and meeting at the main gates on Charleville Road.

Thursday 7th Oct. will see a lecture on the railways in Offaly with particular reference to Tullamore by Peter Burke. This is to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the rail connection from Dublin to Tullamore. The actual date of the connection was the 2nd October 1854.

October

21st October 2004 Brian Pey who has published a substantial and important history of Eglish, Co. Offaly will give a lecture on Compiling a Parish History: The Eglish Experience. The lecturer will highlight the various sources used and incorporate information from the main chapters in the book by means of a computer Power Point Presentation.

November 25th
Subject to be announced

December 5th
Annual dinner speaker to be announced.

Launch of Trade Roots and Other Commemorative Events

The Middle of June saw quite amount of local history activity here in the County. First of all we had the commemoration of the purchase of Durrow by State on the 8th of June. Our sincere thanks to all who assisted including Fr. Cleary, Reverend Mr. Fields and Reverend Mr. Gracie the Methodist Minister in Birr and Tullamore. Our thanks also to the musicians led by Frank who were excellent on the evening. Our further thanks to all who assisted including the High Cross Committee. Upwards of 100 people were at the event.

In the same week we had a wonderful commemoration of anniversaries in Tullamore for the canal (200), the Tullamore distillery (175) and Tullamore Railway (150). The local committee have published a wonderful publication called Trade Roots which is available from the Centre at e7. Upwards of 900 people went on the Steam Train on the Saturday.

Second Annual Historic Houses of Ireland Conference 10/11 September 2004 at NUI, Maynooth
The Department of Modern History, NUI, Maynooth is presenting its second Annual Historic Houses of Ireland Conference on 10th and 11th Sept. at Renehan Hall, South Campus. The fee is €30 plus €50 for conference banquet (optional). To book contact Dr Terence Dooley, Dept of Modern History, NUI Maynooth, (email terence.a.dooley@may.ie) a soon as possible. Terry is about to publish a new book on the land problem in Ireland. He is well known to some members for his course in Tullamore on Local History and for his lectures. Bookings should reach Maynooth not later than 31st August.
Recent Library Acquisitions

Gerard Moran Sending Out Ireland's Poor - assisted emigration to North America in the 19th century.

Sean Duffy (ed.) Medieval Dublin V

Tom Dunne Rebellions, Memoir, Memory and 1798.

Terence Dooley The Greatest of the Fenians - John Devoy and Ireland

Terence Dooley 'The Land for the People' the land question in independent Ireland

Dermot Keogh, et al. Ireland, the lost decade in the 1950s

Terry de Valera A memoir

J Anthony Gaughan Listowel and its vicinity since 1973

Joseph Byrne Byrne's dictionary of Irish local history.
Heather A King (ed.) Clonmacnois Studies, Seminar Papers 1998, vol. 2

Membership renewals
There is still a small number of membership renewals outstanding. We would be very grateful to get these finalised over the next few weeks.