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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
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.

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

Tullamore Show 25th Anniversary

20.00

AN AMAZING STORY

This is a book that epitomises community spirit at its best. It is a book that gives some insight into the creation and development of the great Tullamorc Show, an insight that will entertain and maybe even amuse you. It will take you from the lows to the highs, from 30 trade stands to 700 trade stands, from a voluntary group of can-do people from all walks of life, from humble beginnings to Ireland’s Premier Show. The amazing extravaganza attracts up to 60,000 spectators and exhibitors from every corner of Ireland and Countries around the world to view the creme de le creme of Irish produce and Livestock, at the National Livestock Show.

The Tullamore Show has been innovative in bringing a new dimension to Irish Shows, not only have they created a wonderful unique day out for all the family, they also introduced the gold medal awards, which is now the ultimate accolade in the Livestock industry. We have all had amazing experiences along this wonderful journey.
From the manicured, pedicured and blow-dried animals to the tailored pristine models in the Fashion arenas,
there is a competition for every boy, girl, man, woman, bullock and heifer, just to name a few. Even the prize fund has come from very small beginnings to the now €175,000.

This book focuses on the reality of Show life, from two consecutive cancellations which left grown hulks of men shedding tears to the outstanding success of recent years, centring on the last 25 years of a community intertwining to stage a spectacular extravaganza. Along with our volunteers, great sponsors have stuck with us through thick and thin, some from the very beginning and some who have joined along the way.
The show has evolved so much over the last 25 years in so many areas, including the chairmanship, as on our 26th year we welcomed our first Lady Chairperson, Brenda Kiernan.

`Celebrates 25 years’ is a remarkable book about the remarkable people behind Ireland’s Premier Show.

In stock

SKU: 45644848 Category: Tags: ,

Description

AN AMAZING STORY

This is a book that epitomises community spirit at its best. It is a book that gives some insight into the creation and development of the great Tullamorc Show, an insight that will entertain and maybe even amuse you. It will take you from the lows to the highs, from 30 trade stands to 700 trade stands, from a voluntary group of can-do people from all walks of life, from humble beginnings to Ireland’s Premier Show. The amazing extravaganza attracts up to 60,000 spectators and exhibitors from every corner of Ireland and Countries around the world to view the creme de le creme of Irish produce and Livestock, at the National Livestock Show.

The Tullamore Show has been innovative in bringing a new dimension to Irish Shows, not only have they created a wonderful unique day out for all the family, they also introduced the gold medal awards, which is now the ultimate accolade in the Livestock industry. We have all had amazing experiences along this wonderful journey.
From the manicured, pedicured and blow-dried animals to the tailored pristine models in the Fashion arenas,
there is a competition for every boy, girl, man, woman, bullock and heifer, just to name a few. Even the prize fund has come from very small beginnings to the now €175,000.

This book focuses on the reality of Show life, from two consecutive cancellations which left grown hulks of men shedding tears to the outstanding success of recent years, centring on the last 25 years of a community intertwining to stage a spectacular extravaganza. Along with our volunteers, great sponsors have stuck with us through thick and thin, some from the very beginning and some who have joined along the way.
The show has evolved so much over the last 25 years in so many areas, including the chairmanship, as on our 26th year we welcomed our first Lady Chairperson, Brenda Kiernan.

`Celebrates 25 years’ is a remarkable book about the remarkable people behind Ireland’s Premier Show.

Additional information

Weight 1.4 kg
Dimensions 30.5 × 21.5 × 2.2 cm
Hard Or Paper Back

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