Offaly Archives a valuable resource for the preservation of our heritage

IT was with much delight that Finbarr Spain, Chairman of Birr Historical Society, welcomed Orla Connaughton, Archivist, Offaly Archives and Michael Byrne, Secretary Offaly History (Offaly History & Archaeological Society) to Birr in February 2024.

Both Societies are members of the Federation of Local History Societies and share an interest in preserving and promoting Offaly’s unique history and local heritage. The establishment of a County Archives service in 2020 has brought together years of work in the collecting and conserving of historical records by Offaly County Library and Offaly History.

In his illustrated talk, Michael Byrne outlined the development of Offaly History Society from the time it was originally founded by James Rogers in 1938. He was a Sinn Fein Solicitor up to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (6 December 1921) and then supported the Free State government thereafter. During WW11, (1939-1945) due to petrol rationing, people could not travel and the Society did not succeed.

In 1969, Offaly History was established as a voluntary society and it is located in Bury Quay, Tullamore. The Society now concentrates on publishing books, social media, monthly newsletters, blog articles, digitising material, family history, has printed 12 Offaly Heritage Journals, you-tube videos, historical meetings and much more. There is a very good bookshop at the premises in Bury Quay which has over 3000 history books for sale.

The Society recently reprinted the book ‘Sketches with the Microscope by Mary Ward’ which was first printed in 1857. The Irish Mist Story was published in 2023 and Michael highlighted the great history of distilling in Offaly such as, the distilleries in Birr, Banagher and Kilbeggan.

Sadly, many historic records were lost when the Four Courts in Dublin were burned in June 1922 and Offaly Courthouse in July 1922. Michael praised the work of the late Librarian Violin Doolin and the late County Librarian Anne Coughlan who collected materials and saved the minute books of Birr and Tullamore Workhouses.

Orla Connaughton gave an overview of the Archives and how to access the collections. For example, local government records, the De Renzi Papers, Parsonstown Commissioner Records (1855-1925), diaries, photographs, Mitchell Papers which cover five generations of legal records, Parsonstown Model School Volumes of Register (1860-1985), records of Birr Business and Professional Women’s Association (1968-1979). Birr Barracks Leinster Regiment records and photographs are digitised on the website.

Orla highlighted the importance of documentary heritage for the preservation of history. The archives are for people to use and it is for everyone. Just book an appointment via email archivist@offalyhistory.com .

Chairman, Finbarr Spain thanked Michael and Orla on behalf of Birr Historical Society for their very informative presentations, his committee and everyone for their attendance.