This year the Federation of Local History Societies will hold its AGM in Tullamore, Co Offaly. The last time the AGM was held here was in 1994 and we are delighted to make a welcome return. Our hosts this year are the Offaly Heritage Centre Ltd and special thanks to Michael Byrne for all his huge help and support in making it possible.
It is a town with its own unique spirit, arguably the most central town in Ireland and located halfway between Dublin and Galway. Prosperity came to the town in the form of the Grand Canal in 1798, providing a link to Dublin Port and thus establishing its rapid growth as a market and warehousing centre.
Tullamore has its share of fine buildings. St Catherine’s, a Gothic Revival Church was designed by Francis Johnston, the architect of Charleville Castle one of Ireland’s most splendid Gothic Revival buildings which stands just west of the town on the Birr Road.
Nearby is the monastic gem, Clonmacnoise along with the monastic sites of Durrow and Rahan. The town houses the Offaly History Centre on Bury Quay and is an ideal location to explore the beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains. We will visit Birr Castle with its science centre, unique telescope, and impressive gardens and parklands.
The weekend will include two nights B&B and two dinners in the four star Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore town. Our AGM will take place on the Saturday morning. During the weekend we will have a guided walking tour of Tullamore , a visit to Birr Castle and after dinner talks on both the Friday and Saturday evenings.
This is just to let you know what is happening, a detailed flyer including the booking requirements will be issued in the very near future so watch out for it.
It promises to be a great weekend
“Come and join us for a weekend filled with history, heritage, walks and talks, some craic to boot and all in convivial and sociable company.”