DURROW ABBEY PUBLIC MEETING

The Office of Public Works has commissioned the preparation of a Conservation Plan for Durrow Abbey, Co. Offaly. The objective of the Plan is to assist and inform the OPW in the future management and conservation of the State-owned lands at Durrow. These lands include St. Columba's Church (housing the High Cross) and graveyard, St. Columbkille's Island and Well, Durrow Abbey House and immediate environs.

A public meeting is to be held at Durrow Abbey House on:
Thursday 10th February 2005 at 6pm following the opening of the house for informal inspection at 4pm

The purpose of the meeting is to inform all interested parties of progress with the Conservation Plan and to invite your input into the preparation of the Plan. The participation of all interested parties would be appreciated. Please contact the consultants Howley Harrington Architects (Contact: Katey Gregan) at 01 874 0526 for further information.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or if you would like to raise an item for discussion in advance, please make a written submission to info@hharchitects.net or fax 01 874 0955 before 8th February 2005.

Castles and Fortifications in County Offaly circa 1500 to 1691 24th , February at 8.15p.m
This lecture which will be illustrated and will be given by Paul Kerrigan on the 24th of February at 8.15p.m. Paul Kerrigan is the author of an extensive article on the castles of Offaly in the Offaly History and Society publication in 1998. Mr. Kerrigan will be looking in detail at the building of the fort at Philipstown (Daingean), Banagher and also Birr castle.
Since then he has returned to Ireland and we are hoping that he will make a detailed study of the Offaly castles with a view to a publication. He has already lectured to us on the fortifications of the Shannon. This promises to be a most interesting lecture and we look forward to having your attendance. Admission is free.

10th March Lecture on Rahan Abbey to be given by Caimin O'Brien

Mr. O'Brien is the co-author of the archaeological inventory of Co. Offaly and churches of Co. Offaly. He is currently working on a new book on monastic sites in Co. Offaly. Rahan Abbey is an important site in the County and probably one of the greatest Romanesque sites in the country. It is deserving of a full lecture and we hope to have your attendance.

21 April a Lecture on the Story of Kilmainham Jail by Freida Kelly Further details to follow.

Offaly events data base

We now have circa 15,500 entries in this data base having added a considerable number of entries in the past. Many people were interested in it and we enclose this month a further sample of entries this time with a reference to murder in County Offaly and the various occurrences which are noted in the data base.

Recent Additions to the Library

Again we enclose this month a one page summary of recent additions to our library.

The annual subscription for 2005

The annual subscription is now due and set out on another attach sheet are the details of the subscription. If you have not already paid would you please do so. It is very helpful to having standing orders for payments of the Society's subscription and the information required for this is set out also on the attached application.

Offaly Historical Pictures for sale

We have now completed a hanging an extensive selection of upwards of 150 pictures almost all framed and for sale at the Society's premises at Bury Quay. The material includes copies of old postcards, copies of Magan Photographs of the 1900s. Copies of old maps of County Offaly. If you are interested in getting an attractive picture for your house or for your business why not come along and see what is on offer. There is also catalogue available on request to use while touring the exhibition of old pictures.

Apart from what is on display the Society has an extensive collection of other pictures of places and people in Offaly and if you would be interested in ordering a picture of any particular old view please let us know and we will see if we can fill the order.

New Book on John Broderick, Athlone

John Broderick made a distinguished contribution to the literature relating to the Midlands and Ireland as a whole and enclosed from the Irish Times of the 15th of January 2005 is a review of the most recent book about him by Madeline Kingston from Lilliputt Press. Copies of this publication can be obtained by the Society for any members who are interested.