Annual Offaly History volume dedicated to inspirational Tullamore businessman

IT was 2003 when the first issue of Offaly Heritage was published. Now 22 years on we are publishing our thirteenth volume. With so many other demands it has proved difficult to produce a volume every year. Instead, we prefer to produce a large volume every two years.
Offaly Heritage 13 is another bumper issue and very much on a par in quality with the issues since no. 9 was published in 2016. It is a tremendous achievement and benefits from the pro bono work of the editors and contributors.
For this issue there was a team of editors – Michael Byrne, Dr Mary Jane Fox and Obituaries Editor: Kevin Corrigan.
Essays range from the medieval period on Clonmacnoise and Lynally to the growth of hospital services in the county from the 1760s and up to the closing of the first county hospital in 1921. Labour on the great estates such as that at Heywood is viewed from a valuable surviving record, and there is a pioneering essay on the ITGWU in Offaly from 1918 to 1930.The condition of tenants on crown lands and in towns is looked at in two essays through the eyes of an Englishman and an American. The early suffrage campaign in Offaly for the most part in Birr is examined as is the burning of Ballyburly House during the Civil War and the outcome for its owner Judge Wakely. The Ferbane poet John Mary Doyle meets a Kerry counterpart on the peat bogs in the 1940s. It would not be the last time that Kerry and Offaly would meet.

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The compilation of writings on Offaly history topics continues in this volume and is proving to be an interesting addition and a useful record on Offaly historiography. Likewise, the book review section and notices reflect some of the many publications of Offaly history since Offaly History 12 was issued in 2023. Since the last volume Offaly History, and society in general, has lost a number of individuals who have passed to their eternal reward and the obituaries section, edited by Kevin Corrigan, provides an overview on some of these lives. This volume is dedicated to the memory of Christy Maye who did wonderful things for Tullamore since he opened the Bridge House in 1971. He was a great supporter of the Society and loved the history of the monastic midlands. Our sincere sympathy to his family and friends. We recall so many others who made a significant contribution including Ger Connolly T.D. and Councillor John Flanagan.
Our thanks to the contributors of the essays, obituaries and reports: Conleth Manning, Joseph Flahive, Michael Byrne, Rosemary Raughter, Timothy P. O’Neill, Francis Devine, Rory Masterson, James G. Ryan, Brendan Ryan, Kevin Corrigan, Seamus Dooley, Ciarán McCabe, Dorothee Bibby and Amanda Pedlow.
Offaly Heritage 13 is another contribution to the printed record and a must for local history enthusiasts. In time much of it will be digitised and reach a worldwide audience.

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Contents of Offaly Heritage 13
1. Joseph Flahive and Conleth Manning, ‘A description of Clonmacnoise in 1516’, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025), pp 2–9.
2. Michael Byrne, ‘The King’s County/Offaly Infirmary, 1768–192, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025), pp 10–47.
3. Timothy P. O’Neill, ‘James Weale’s trip to King’s County/Offaly, Ireland in 1829 to meet Kinnitty tenants of the Crown with comments on his visit to Tullamore, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025), pp 48–57.
4. Michael Byrne, ‘An American Baptist and social reformer described poverty in Offaly in 1844–45 on the eve of the Famine: the visit of Asenath Nicholson to Tullamore, Birr and Banagher, County Offaly, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025), pp 58–79.
5. Rosemary Raughter, ‘Mrs Cowan is developing the district in the neighbourhood of Birr’: Kathleen Cowan (1885–1969) and the women’s suffrage campaign, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025), pp 80–92.
6. Timothy O’ Neill, ‘The Burning of Ballyburly House, Rhode, County Offaly, 26 February 1923, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 93–110.
7. Francis Devine, ‘The Irish Transport & General Workers’ Union in Offaly, 1918–1930, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 111–123.
8. Rory Masterson, ‘Medieval Lynally (600–1600): A millennial Church, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 124–131.
9. James G. Ryan, ‘Labourers and Tradesmen at Heywood Estate, Ballinakill in 1794, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 132–136.
10. Brendan Ryan, ‘A tale of two poets: John Mary Doyle and P. McCarthy, Offaly
11. Kevin Corrigan (ed.), ‘Obituaries’,
12. OHAS Book Reviews, pp 197–206.
13. Michael Byrne, ‘Writings on Offaly History, 2023 and 2024’,
14. Michael Byrne, Ciarán McCabe and Dorothee Bibby, ‘Offaly History Annual Reports, 2022–2024, Offaly
15. Offaly Heritage Officer Report, 2021 –2025 with particular reference to built and cultural heritage’, Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 278–288.
16. Offaly Archives Reports, 2023 and 2024,
17. Michael Byrne, ‘New books on Offaly History in 2023–25’,Offaly Heritage 13 (2025) pp 314–332.