The Late Bro. Raphael Kinahan
Members of Society were saddened to learn of the untimely death of Bro Raphael Kinahan of the Franciscan Community in Clara. Bro. Raphael was for many years a committee member and later chairman of the Society in the 1990s at a very busy time when much development work was taking place at the Research Centre. He was a very capable chairman and had the respect of all. His support for all activities could always be depended upon. He will be particularly remembered in history circles for his valuable work in co- authoring Clara a pictorial record book and the energy he put into researching Kilbride - Clara and Clara Parish burials from earliest times. The Society wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to his family, friends and Franciscan Community.

Forthcoming Events

Launch of So civil a people
So civil a people - Methodists in the Midlands is the title of a book written by Rev Dudley Levistone Cooney inspired by the journals of John Wesley describing his many visits to the Midlands in the 18th century, particularly Offaly towns and villages. These are important chronicles from a period in our history for which there is limited source material available. The book is being published by the Society.

The launch which will be performed by Minister of State, Mr Tom Parlon T.D. takes place in the Methodist church hall, Church Street, Tullamore on Monday 20th Sept. at 7.30 pm. All members are cordially invited along to the launch.

Walk through Charleville - Sunday 26th Sept. 2004

A walk through Charleville Demesne with James Howley, Architect as guide, commencing at 2 pm and meeting at the main gates on Charleville Road. This was originally planned for August but had to be postponed due to bad weather.

Lecture - Offaly's First Railway

Thursday 7th Oct at 8.30 pm. Illustrated lecture entitled Offaly's First Railway 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 Lecture

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 presentation.

November
To be confirmed

Christmas Lunch December 5th
Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore at 1 pm. The Christmas Lunch speaker will be Dorothee Hermann Bibby and her topic is The Rhine Revisited. This will be an armchair tour illustrated with images collected on the recent trip by members of the Society to Germany. Dorothee is a native of that part of Germany and this is a subject close to her heart. Further information to follow.

Federation of Local History Societies
Autumn Seminar 1st and 2nd Oct.

Venue: Kincora Hall Hotel, Killaloe. Topic: Energy in Ireland, Past Present and Future. Seminar fee: €25 each. Bookings to Mr Dermot Ryan, Secretary, Winter's Hill, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Tel. 021 4772729.

Glenstal History Conference
Seeing and Believing: Art and Devotion in late medieval Ireland. Sept 24th and 25th Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co. Limerick. Telephone:061 386103
Email librarian@glenstal.org

International Genealogy Festival
Thurs Sept 30th - Sun. Oct 3rd
Sligo Heritage Centre, Aras Reddan, Temple Street, Sligo For details call 071 9143728
or email heritagesligo@eircom.net

Talks include:

  • Sources at the National Library
  • Death and burial custom in 19th century Ireland
  • Information Technology and its use in genealogy research
  • Irish heraldry and ancestry
  • Emigration in 19th century Ireland
  • Griffith's Valuation
  • Sources at the National Archives
  • Matchmaking and marriage customs in Ireland
  • Church of Ireland records
  • Genealogical research in local Irish libraries
  • The Irish Genealogical Project - the story so far
  • Graveyard inscriptions
  • Irish records in the Public Record Office, Kew
  • Poor Law Unions and Workhouses.
Recently published
Leabhar Mór na nGenealach; The Great Book of Irish Genealogies compiled (1645-66) by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh edited by Nollaig Ó Muraile.