New book on changing face of Offaly towns due to be launched

A new book which charts the changing face of Offaly towns in the early 1900s is set to be launched later this month by Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society.

The 368-page hardback book, which is compiled by respected local historian and solicitor, Michael Byrne, with contributions from a panel of local historians, is set against the backdrop of increasing modernisation and innovation in what was formerly known as King's County.

The book is lavishly illustrated with almost 400 carefully captioned photographs of people, places and buildings as they looked at the time. The photographs are taken from the early years of street photography and the inclusion of detailed captions brings each picture to life and will appeal to amateur and professional photographers and history buffs alike.

A must-have book for anyone who is interested in the evolution of the various towns across Offaly, Michael Byrne's impeccably-researched book contains fifteen separate essays written by a panel of local historians, all of whom have brought years of experience to their chosen town or village.

Among the contributors to the book are: Paul Barber, Stephen Callaghan, Grace Clendennen, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Goodbody, Ger Murphy, John Powell, Laura Price, Ciarán Reilly and Brendan Ryan.

Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society say there was “very much a need” for this book, as it provides an opportunity to take stock of how far Offaly has travelled since 1900. The inclusion of such a large collection of photographs, some of which have never been seen before, greatly enhances the text and serves to appeal to a younger cohort of readers who have grown up in an image-driven age.

The book charts the level of urban improvement in the years from 1900 to 1923, a level which had not been experienced since the decades prior to the Famine times of the 1840s. By the early 1920s that period of growth, coinciding with the new century, was largely over and was not seen again until the Lemass economic reforms of the early 1960s.

Also included is a fascinating account of the struggles of the time to secure housing for the working classes, a clean water supply, adequate sewerage, public lighting and second level education, among other services that we all now take for granted. 'The changing face of Offaly towns in the early 1900's' will be launched in the Offaly History Centre at Bury Quay on Friday, November 15 next at 7.30pm by Cllr Tony McCormack, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council. The event will include a short illustrated presentation by Michael Byrne and a number of contributors to the book.

The book, which is full colour, large format, will be available from Offaly History Centre and Midland Books and online at www.offalyhistory.com, and is priced at €27.99.