Offaly Past and Present

29/05/2026

The long and eventful life of the Book of Durrow. By Rachel Moss. Blog no. 799, www.offalyhistoryblog. The Book of Durrow, a 1,300-year-old manuscript of the four gospels associated with the ancient monastic site at Durrow Co. Offaly, is special for many reasons. It is the earliest surviving complete gospel book in northwest Europe; it contains exquisite full-pages of ornament that demonstrate knowledge of current art styles in Ireland, Britain, Roman Europe and Coptic Egypt; it is one of the earliest examples of perfectly executed ‘Insular’ script that was to become the hallmark of Irish art for the following centuries and it is thought to be the work of a single scribe. Most significant of all, is the fact that it has survived, in near perfect condition, for such a long time. For more see www.offalyhistoryblog. , Visit Offaly

22/05/2026

A Prima Donna in King’s County/ Offaly, Dame Nellie Melba 1861-1931. By Aidan Doyle.

Melbourne, February 26 1931-

The usually busy streets of Melbourne were hushed today when Britain’s “Queen of Song” Dame Nellie Melba, was taken in a simple farm cart on her last journey to her beloved village of Lilydale, 20 miles from Melbourne not far from her own beautiful home, to be buried by the side of her father. Australia’s last respects were paid by thousands of people Read more at blogs on www.offalyhsitory.com

20/05/2026

The first summer tour of 2026 is to Shannonbridge

23 May 2026 Saturday, Tour of Shannonbridge depart at 10 a.m. from Offaly History Centre (let us know if you can share or need a lift). To meet at Shannonbridge at 11 a.m. Our guide is Declan Ryan. Starting with coffee, followed by tours of the forts, the river and the town. To conclude about 1 p.m. with lunch at Killeen’s (you need to book this yourself). This is an excellent venue so why not make it a day out and bring the family and friends. Declan will be an excellent guide and is one of active members.

15/05/2026

The Jageurs Stonecutters: The limestone quarries of Ballyduff, Tullamore. By John Wrafter. No 796 in the Offaly History Blog Series. 15.5.2026. This is no 6 in this series and can now be read at blogs section of www.offalyhistory.com

08/05/2026

I grew up on a small farm beside Lemanaghan Bog, and to this day I can still feel the rhythm of those summers spent wandering up and down the lane that led from our 150 year old farm house to the bog. It wasn’t just a lane, it was an enchanted corridor. The hedges were alive with native flora and fauna, and as children we were convinced there was something mystical about that stretch of road. Maybe it was the way the light filtered through the trees and hedges or the rustle of wings from creatures we could never quite see. Whatever it was, it shaped our imaginations long before we understood the world beyond it.
Growing Up Beside Lemanaghan Bog: Memory, Heritage, and a Landscape Worth Protecting. By Ciara nic Aodhagáin. Offaly History Blog Series, no. 795, 8.5.2026 Offaly Heritage. See www.offalyhistory.com

03/05/2026

https://offalyhistoryblog.com/2026/05/01/henry-robinson-in-conversation-with-sandra-robinson-about-his-life-at-belmont-and-working-with-the-grand-canal-company-from-the-1930s-part-2-concluded-no-78zz-in-the-offaly-history-blog-series/ This is the second and final part of this story from Belmont, County Offaly Offaly Heritage

Down in the Jetty. In your early childhood? Yeah. What form of lighting was used down there? Hurricane lamps. All the time. All the time There was always a few hurricane lamps here and you’d …

24/04/2026

This week's blog is onThe Goodbody family is widely associated with the prosperous Quaker industrial dynasty that emerged in Clara and Tullamore during the nineteenth century. However, this article focuses on a lesser-known and far less successful branch of the family: the descendants of Thomas Goodbody (1783–1848), brother of the prominent miller Robert Goodbody (1781–1860). While Robert’s line flourished, Thomas’s life and that of his children was marked by repeated financial failure, instability, and eventual decline, culminating in the disappearance of the Goodbody name from Birr by the early twentieth century. For more see www.offalyhistory.com

04/02/2026

Tullamore is situated in the civil parish of Kildbride with 28 townlands and so too is the town of Clara with 19 townlands. Both parishes have a connection with the churches dedicated to Saint Brig…

14/09/2025

Local Heritage and Family History: Sources and Methods’
24 September to 26 November 2025
Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore
What? The course will give an overview of the sources and methods for the study of the archaeology, community and family history of County Offaly, and how to do research on areas that may interest you in local and family history. Thematic sessions will be delivered by experienced local scholars, who will introduce participants both to physical sources and to online resources. Offaly is taken as the example, but most of the records will have application for the entire country.
When? All talks will be held on Wednesday nights, from 7.30 to 9.30 pm.
Where? Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 Y5V0 For more about the course see our blog at www.offalyhistoryblog. Very few places left.

10/09/2025

Charleville School, Church Street, Tullamore. By Michael Byrne and Offaly History. No 7 in the new Offaly History series on Church Street, Tullamore: houses, businesses and families, over 300 years is now available at www.offalyhistory.com as are the other six in the Church Street series. In all over 740 stories.