In-person lectures back this Monday night as Offaly History focuses on Rathrobin

N-PERSON lectures resume at Offaly History Centre in Tullamore on Monday, February 21 next with a talk by local historian and solicitor, Michael Byrne on his new book on Rathrobin.

There is also an option for history enthusiasts to link into the meeting via zoom and for the link you are asked to email info@offalyhistory.com

If you are coming to the centre please ensure that you fully vaccinated. Not all lectures will be in-person as it will be too far for some speakers to travel.

All lectures will also be presented online via Zoom and commence at the new time of  8. 00 p.m.

The title of the lecture on Monday next is entitled “Rathrobin and the two Irelands: the photographs of Middleton Biddulph, 1900–23.”

The speaker, Michael Byrne is a practising solicitor and notary public. He has published a number of books and articles on Offaly History. Byrne’s most recent book Rathrobin and the two Irelands: the photographs of Middleton Biddulph, 1900–23 is available from Offaly History, Midland Books and other sales points.

The photographs in the Magan Collection, now called the Biddulph Collection, were taken by Lt Col. Middleton Westenra Biddulph (1849–1926) who lived at Rathrobin near Mountbolus, County Offaly.

Biddulph was proud of his family history and when he retired from the army in the mid-1890s he returned to Ireland and rebuilt the old house at Rathrobin in great style. The Biddulph photographs are not just another set of pictures of Edwardian and pre-WW1 life in Ireland. Biddulph had an empathy with his farm workers and their families and sought their advancement. Many local families were photographed together with their farming activities.

Biddulph’s story, and that of his associates and friends, will form the basis of this lecture, illustrated by a selection from the albums. There will be new material not used in the published volume. The Biddulph story helps to provide a more nuanced understanding of Ireland in the revolutionary period of 1900–23.

Biddulph’s wonderful house at Rathrobin that he had so carefully ‘restored’, and all his farm improvements, were lost in the Civil War in 1923. Worse was to follow with the attack on Violet Magan in 1924 as she was cycling back from Killoughy – an episode that reminds us of the brutality that can come to the surface over land.