New book looks back at Tullamore in the 1960s

A new book of essays about life in Tullamore in the 1960s will be launched this Friday night, December 6, at Offaly History Centre on Bury Quay (Eircode: R35 Y5V0).

The book, Tullamore in the Sixties, was edited by Michael Byrne and is to be launched by Fergal MacCabe at 7.30pm.

This volume of essays brings together the contributions of eighteen people who kept a keen eye on developments in Tullamore in the 1960s.

The contributors include Michael Byrne, Joe Kenny, Fergal MacCabe, Vincent Hussey, Denis Doherty, Niall Sweeney, Jack Taaffe, Noel Guerin, Alan Mahon, Ronnie Colton, Kevin Corrigan, Jim Cullen and Terry Adams.

Over the course of their essays, a wide range of subjects are covered such as the provision of public infrastructure in Tullamore, the under-funding of local authorities at the time, how Tullamore was viewed by others, and local enterprises of that decade such as manufacturing, distribution, shopping, entertainment and dancing.

Sport, so important to so many, is the focus of an essay by Kevin Corrigan who looks at a formative decade leading on to the Offaly GAA Senior Football All-Ireland victories in the 1970s.

The book is now available from Offaly History Centre and online shop at http://www.offalyhistory.com and from Midland Books on High Street.

The 456-page book is priced €22.95. A limited number of signed hardbacks will be available at €29.95.

The contents amount to 150,000 words and 350 pictures, many from the 60s, despite the scarcity of pictures in that decade due to lost collections from the professional photographers of that period.

Tullamore in the Sixties was published with the support of Creative Ireland and Offaly County Council.