Who are we?

Offaly History (short for Offaly Historical & Archaeological) was first formed in 1938 and re-established in 1969 and is located at Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly since 1993(next to the new Tullamore D.E.W Visitor Centre).

We are about collecting and sharing memories. We do this in an organised way though exhibitions, supporting the publication of local interest books, our website Offalyhistory.com , Facebook, open evenings, our library and offices at Bury Quay.

Our Mission

Our Mission
To promote Offaly History including community and family history

What we do:

  • Promote all aspects of history in Co. Offaly.
  • Genealogy service for counties Laois and Offaly.
  • Co. Offaly photographic records for study and sale in addition to a limited number of publications on Laois and Irish general historical interest.
  • Purchase and sale of Offaly interest books though the Society’s book store and website.
  • Publication of books under the Society’s publishing arm Esker Press.
  • The Society subscribes to almost all the premier historical journals in Ireland.

Our Society covers a diverse range of Offaly Heritage:

  • Architectural heritage, historic monuments such as monastic and castle buildings.
  • Industrial and urban development of towns and villages.
  • Archaeological objects and artifacts.
  • Flora, fauna and bogs, wildlife habitats, geology and Natural History.
  • Landscapes, heritage gardens and parks, farming and inland waterways.
  • Local literary, social, economic, military, political, scientific and sports history.

Structure

Offaly History is a non-profit community group with a growing membership of some 150 individuals.

The Society focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, understanding and knowledge of the county heritage while fostering an inclusive approach and civic pride in local identity. We promote these objectives through:

  • The holding of monthly lectures, occasional seminars, exhibitions and film screenings.
    Organising tours during the summer months to places of shared historical interest.
  • The publication of an annual journal Offaly Heritage – to date nine issues.
  • We play a unique role collecting and digitising original primary source materials especially photographs and oral history recordings
  • Offaly History is  the centre for  Family History research in Counties Laois and Offaly.
  • The Society is linked to the renowned Irish Family Foundation website and Roots Ireland where some 900,000 records of Offaly/Laois interest can be accessed on a pay-per-view basis worldwide. Currently these websites have an estimated 20 million records of all Ireland interest.
  • A burgeoning library of books, CD-ROMs, videos, DVDs, oral and folklore recordings, manuscripts, newspapers and journals, maps, photographs and various artifacts.
  • OHAS Collections
  • OHAS Centre Facilities

The financial activities of the Society are operated under the aegis of Offaly Heritage Centre Limited, a charitable company whose directors also serve on the Society’s elected committee. None of the Society’s directors receive remuneration or any kind. All the company’s assets are held in trust to promote the voluntary activities of the Society. Our facilities are largely free to the public or run purely on a costs-recovery basis.

Acting as a policy advisory body –  Offaly History endeavors to ensure all government departments, local authorities, tourism agencies and key opinion formers prioritise heritage matters.

Meet the current committee:

Our Committee represents a broad range of backgrounds and interests. All share a common interest in collecting and promoting the heritage of the county and making it available to the wider community.

2017 Committee

  • Helen Bracken (President)
  • Pat Wynne (Vice President and Joint Treasurer)
  • Niall Sweeney (Vice President)
  • Michael Byrne (Secretary)
  • Lisa Shortall (Deputy Secretary)
  • Dorothee Bibby (Record Secretary)
  • Charlie Finlay (Joint Treasurer)
  • Darrell Hooper
  • Brian Pey
  • Fred Geoghegan
  • Noel Guerin
  • Henry Edgill
  • Peter Burke
  • Angella Kelly
  • Rory Masterson
  • Shaun Wrafter
  • Ronnie Matthews
  • Oliver Dunne
  • Ciara Molloy
  • Stephen Callaghan (Heritage Items)

If you would like to help with the work of the Society by coming on a sub-committee or in some other way please email us or let an existing member know.

+353-5793-21421 [email protected] Open 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri

Past Events › Book Launch

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December 2017

Social life in Tullamore since the 1950s, political intrigue and the music scene in Ireland – Jackie Finlay

December 1, 2017 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map

OFFALY HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY has pleasure in inviting you to a reception at 8.30 p.m. on Friday 1 December 2017 at Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay,Tullamore (beside Tullamore DEW Visitor Centre) To mark the launch of Memories are made of this: Jackie Finlay on social life in Tullamore since the 1950s, political intrigue and the music scene in Ireland by Jackie Finlay Guest Speaker: Mr Barry Cowen, TD Published by Dillonite Press (Tullamore, 2017), retailing at €14.99. Following the…

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Flights of Fancy, Offaly Follies and their Demesnes – Rachel McKenna

December 7, 2017 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map

Dec. 7th, 8PM, Offaly History, Bury Quay, Tullamore Members €2 non members €5 At the Tullamore launch of Flights of Fancy: Follies, Families and Demesnes in Offaly, the author, Rachel McKenna (Architect, Offaly County Council), will discuss the premise of the book which seeks to describe and illustrate the built heritage contained within the country house demesnes of county Offaly. It will look at the remarkable range of follies within the county including towers, eye catchers and gazebos. From the…

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February 2018

Matthew Stout on Early Medieval Ireland

February 22, 2018 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map

A lecture by Matthew Stout on Early Medieval Ireland and a Tullamore, Offaly launch of his new book. Refreshments post launch. A chance to get a signed copy and a discounted price. Thursday 22 Feb. 2018 at 8 p.m. at Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore. This book is the first narrative history of early medieval Ireland in a single volume. It takes the reader from the foundations of a Celtic culture on the island of Ireland to the arrival…

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August 2018

Book Launch – Four Offaly Saints

August 27, 2018 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map

Book launch: Four Offaly Saints by Pádraig Ó Riain  Followed by a presentation on these Offaly saints by Professor Ó Riain, Professor Emeritus of Early and Medieval Irish at University College Cork. Professor Ó Riain was with us about six years ago when his best-selling Dictionary of Irish Saints was published. This is your chance to hear him again, or for the first time. He is a charming speaker with huge learning that he wears lightly. He will be signing copies of…

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September 2018

Launch of Offaly Heritage 10

September 24, 2018 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map

Launch of the society’s tenth journal since 2003, Offaly Heritage 10 and presentation on the contents by some of the contributors.  

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November 2019

Book launch: ‘Capard- an Irish country house and estate’ by Dr Ciaran Reilly

November 25, 2019 @ 8:00 pm
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay
Tullamore, Ireland + Google Map
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