Stories and songs as Offaly man presents new book on crucial decade

THERE will be a special evening of history and music in the Esker Arts centre on Thursday (April 2, 8pm) when Tullamore man Raymond Daly presents his new book, Ten Faithful Years (1913-1923) in Song and Story.

As well as being the latest launch of the book (following on from other nights in Tullamore, Clara and Edenderry) the event in Esker Arts is a fundraiser for the local mental health service charity, Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT).

Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune, Raymond explains why he chose ACT as the benefitting charity: “Life can be challenging at times, and some of us over the journey can struggle with their mental health. I have experienced panic attacks in the past and I have taken medication to deal with anxiety, and I have practised cognitive behaviour therapy. Thankfully I am in a good place now but I work on my mental wellbeing on a daily basis.”

ACT is community based and provides a professional counselling service which Raymond says is “accessible and affordable to everyone” and is worthy of local support.

“It was founded by James and Lisa O’Connor whose aim was to give people a safe, confidential, non judgemental space to talk about problems. The annual overheads to run this wonderful local charity are very high. By supporting this event you will be helping this charity greatly.”

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Ten Faithful Years (1913-1923) in Song and Story, which was published late last year, is the second book compiled by Raymond Daly.

In 2008 he completed Celtic & Ireland in Song and Story with Derek Warfield, the founding member of The Wolfe Tones.

That book was inspired by rips to Glasgow to see Celtic play: “I was impressed by the Glasgow Irish pride of their Irish heritage and culture. Celtic fans would sing Irish and Celtic songs which I began collecting and writing information about each one.”

It became a 10-year project but resulted in a 472-page historical songbook “which thankfully was

well received with very positive reviews”. “It sold out,” says Raymond.

That project in turn was part of the inspiration for his current publication which took nine years and runs to over 500 pages.

“I always loved Irish history especially the revolutionary years from 1913 to 1923. I have relatives who took part in the Boer and Great War plus relatives who took part in the fight for Irish freedom to end British rule in Ireland. I am very proud of them all. I am from Connolly Park in Tullamore which was built in 1966 and named after James Connolly. Our house number is 16 so it seems like my destiny to compile history books was sealed.”

While the primary focus of Ten Faithful Years is the story of the War of Independence, the Great War and the Civil War, interspersed with 105 relevant songs and ballads, it sets the scene for the story by going all the way back to pre-history.

Despite the sheer size of the overall undertaking, Raymond states: “I never found it exhausting, quite the opposite, I found the process of research energising, refreshing and invigorating as each day I was learning new details and information.”

He adds: “Last year in 2025 I found it quite stressful because I needed to have the master copy of the book to the printers by a certain time. Thankfully it all worked out and Print Plus in town did a fantastic job. The hard back cover with the eye catching images stands out really well. My wife Nicola and daughters Sarah and Ro helped greatly in designing the cover. Overall though during the nine-year period of working on the book it was a labour of love for me which I enjoyed fully throughout.”

Raymond, who works locally as a landscape gardener, will present the book on Holy Thursday (a date which falls between the 110^th anniversaries of the Tullamore Incident on March 20 and the Easter Rising on April 24 1916) using PowerPoint and extra entertainment will be provided by singer and guitarist Michael Middleton.

Among the songs whose lyrics are reproduced in full in the book are The Minstrel Boy, The Rising of the Moon, Roddy McCorley, A Nation Once Again, The Fields of Athenry, God Save Ireland, Waltzing Matilda, Pack Up Your Troubles, Danny Boy, Grace, Green Fields of France, Wild Mountain Thyme, The Merry Ploughboy, The Man from Mullingar, The Offaly Rover and many more.

Says Raymond: “The words of the songs are shown on the screen so those attending I encourage to sing along, which creates a lovely atmosphere.”

Tickets (€10) are available online (eskerarts.ie) or at the door.