New publication shines light on a forgotten graveyard in Offaly

AN excellent new publication shines a light on a graveyard in Birr which has been forgotten by many.

Bully's Acre is situated in the Gallow's Hill area of the town, hidden from view, and many of us were unaware of this neglected place until a local historian drew our attention to it a few years ago.

The same historian, Stephen Callaghan, has now written a very interesting and beautifully produced book about the site, and the book was launched in The County Arms Hotel on Monday week last.

The Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District, Cllr Peter Ormond, welcomed the publication of this book about “Birr’s hidden burial ground. However, due to the event held there in Heritage Week this past August and this publication, there is a growing awareness of its history and those that are buried there.”

Cllr Ormond said Stephen has been working tirelessly documenting various aspects of Offaly’s history and heritage for the past decade; since his time as an intern in the county's heritage office when he completed an inventory of all the burial grounds in Offaly, which is still the standard reference document.

“However, we would like to acknowledge that Stephen has a full time job - not in Offaly Heritage - and all the research work he carries out is in his own time after work hours. Stephen has already researched and written the book ‘Heart and Soul’ with Caimin O’Brien which documents the early pre-reformation church of Saint Brendan whose ruined church lies at the heart of Birr town.

“His next Birr area project was documenting the military graveyard attached to Birr Barracks in Crinkill.

“This third burial ground memorial recording book for Bully’s Acre is an important link between the two and it documents military burials and those in the wider community who received a headstone or burial marker.”

The Cathaoirleach added that Stephen has also published a book about Kilcommin burial ground outside Shinrone. This year he has been collaborating with the Church of Ireland and Shinrone Heritage Group researching the burials of the Church of Ireland in Shinrone. “Indeed he endured a very windy day this past Saturday hosting a workshop there!”

Stephen’s second interest is in military history and some follow his blog ‘The Barrack Square’ which is a huge resource.
A group of 25 people joined Stephen and Crinkill Tidy Villages on Sunday week last for a tour of the new military trail that Stephen developed in conjunction with the local group.

Most recently Stephen contributed a section to the new Offaly History book ‘The Changing face of the towns of Offaly’, writing the barracks section for it.

Offaly Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow told the gathering that the Heritage Council and Heritage Office in the County Council is always keen to support groups and individuals carrying out memorial recording projects and were very glad to provide support for this publication.

“Bully's Acre” is for sale in SuperValu Birr, Birr Castle, Midland Books Tullamore and Offaly History, Tullamore.