Just 100 years ago the closure of Tullamore prison was announced effective twelve months later. That was a legal formality as the prison had been severely damaged in the burning of July 1922 and by the extensive looting that followed. The town was without an effective police force since December 1921 and the new Civic … Continue reading The closure of Tullamore Jail in 1924. No. 12 in the Anniversaries Series. By Michael Byrne and Offaly History

Undoubtedly, the history of Tullamore jail would make a book in itself for besides the mundane occurrences there were a few extraordinary events such as the imprisonment of some of those involved in the Plan of Campaign including William O’Brien and John Mandeville in 1887-88, the women’s suffrage prisoners in 1913, the Tullamore Incident prisoners … Continue reading 9 Tullamore jail: 1830–1924: a county institution built at Cormac Street, Tullamore in the Gothic style. No. 9 in the Cormac Street history series. A contribution to the Living in Towns Programme supported by the Heritage Council. By Michael Byrne and Offaly History

Patrick Lopeman was born at Riverstown, Birr in 1893 (although army records sometimes list 1894). Over the next decade, his parents Patrick senior and Letitia (Sometimes listed as Alicia) moved with the family between several addresses in Kildare and Birr. Patrick Sr worked as a painter. In Lopeman’s youth his family suffered from economic hardship, … Continue reading A Constant Battle: The Life of Patrick Lopeman, Great War Veteran, Connaught Ranger Mutineer, Labour Activist and Birr Man. No 11 in Offaly History Anniversaries Series by Aidan Doyle

The new courts system established in 1923–24 saw the first sittings of the district court in Tullamore and Birr in January 1923 and the opening of barracks or stations for the new civic guard from the autumn of 1922. The circuit court system in Offaly was established in October 1924. The circuit court system had … Continue reading The Centenary on 8 October 2024 of the first sitting of the Circuit Court in County Offaly. No. 10 in the 2024 Anniversaries Series by Michael Byrne and Offaly History.