Heritage Week in September

Saturday 3rd September is the second walk of the summer of the southern half of Tullamore from the river to the railway to commence at Offaly Historical premises at Bury Quay at 2.30p.m. on Saturday the 3rd of September. All welcome.

Sunday 4th September from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. open day at OHAS, Bury Quay. Over 200 pictures will be on display together with books of Offaly history interest.

Thursday the 8th of September, The changing face of County Offaly and aerial views of the County in 2005 contrasted with earlier pictures of the towns and villages. This will be a lecture of great interest not just to historical minded people but also to all those who want to take note of the changing scene in our towns and villages.

Friday the 9th of September
Ecumenical Service at Rahan Church of Ireland Church - the old church at Rahan Demesne which will commence at 7.30p.m. all are welcome.

Saturday the 10th of September from 2p.m. to 6p.m. a tour of the District to include the Rahan Heritage Centre which is kindly being opened by Reverend Sister Oliver of the Presentation Sisters. The tour will include a visit to
Rahan Church, Kibride Ballycowan Castle and Rahan Graveyard.

This is a packed Heritage Week and we hope that some of the events will be of interest to almost all of the members.

Tullamore Yarns (Salts Night)
Congratulations to Tullamore Heritage Centre and in particular our committee member Dorothy Bibby in regard to the organising of the Exhibition in Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre on the History of Salts - Tullamore Yarns. The
outcome of the exhibition was a social evening on Friday the 19th of August at which over eighty persons attended. It is hoped that all the pictures will now be recorded on CD for a lecture in the autumn or early next year on the story of Tullamore Yarns.

Turas Eile
Mr. George Cunningham has organised a tour of the Ely O'Carroll Territory over the period 3 to 7th September 2005 based at Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Details of the course of talks and outings can be
obtained at the Society or direct from George Cunningham at georgencummingham@eircom.net .

NUI Certificate in Local History
Offaly Leader + Co. are supporting another Maynooth University Course in Local History leading to a certificate. The aim of the course is to provide participants interested in local history with an opportunity to obtain formal training. The course is divided into three sections and participants must be over 23 years of age and have an interest in local history. There will be 75 hours of classes over one year, September to May on Wednesday
evenings. The course cost is ?810 of which the participant need only pay Euro100 with the balance paid by Leader. Further details from Offaly Leader, Harbour Street, Tullamore.

Pendant Reliquaries
Ms. Jill Connaughton of 38 Braemore Park, Dublin 14, is interested in hearing from any member who may know of Pendant Reliquaries from the medieval to early modern period still held in private collections and passing down the generations. If you have any information please contact the Society.

Launch of C.D.s for schools Thursday 6th October 2005 at 8p.m.
You are invited to the launch of 3 CDs prepared for primary and post primary schools in the Offaly area. The CD's consist of the following:-

  1. The Monastic Heritage of County Offaly prepared by Darrell Hooper
  2. The Grand Canal in County Offaly prepared by M.Byrne & OHAS
  3. The Story of Tullamore Town over the centuries.

The three CDs consist of upwards of 100 pictures each together with text documents which will be available for source material for students and teachers.

The project is part funded by Offaly Leader + and the Society and we are grateful to Mr. Loughlin Hooper of Dotser for his assistance in bringing the CDs to the public. You are invited to attend to see a preview of the CDs and we hope that they will be successful in the schools.

O'Molloy Clan Rally 14/16th October 2005
This is the Second Clan Rally for a County Offaly Family. You may recall that we had a rally for the Fox Family some years ago. A number of our members are involved on the committee and further details can be seen on
their web site www.omolloy.com . Early booking of the various events is advisable.