Offaly History Centre to host lecture on Birr musician

Offaly History Centre in Tullamore is set to host a lecture on late Birr musician Bernard 'Barney' Delaney this weekend

Taking place on Saturday, April 12, at 3pm, will explore the life of Bernard Delaney, an Offaly piper who lived from 1854 to 1923. Offaly History Centre is situated at Bury Quay, Tullamore (beside New Aldi and Old Warehouse).

Birr Historical Society presented the story of piper Bernard (Barney) Delaney in January, and Offaly History Centre will host a lecture and musical to recall his contribution to Irish traditional music.

Delaney suffered the loss of three of his four children and his wife in the late 1870s and was forced to leave his country in search of hope and a better life in the New World. Delaney was a master of the Uileann Pipes.

The talk will focus on his life, the story behind his enrolment into the elite Irish Music Club of the Chicago Police Department and his legacy.

In addition, next Monday, Offaly History Centre will host a lecture by Conleth Manning titled 'Clonmacnoise and its churches'.

Taking place on Monday, April 14, at 7:30pm, Mr Manning will share his expertise, having worked for nearly forty years as an archaeologist with the National Monuments Service.

He directed excavations at Clonmacnoise, and has a special interest in medieval churches and castles and has published widely on aspects of the medieval and post-medieval periods in Ireland.

For more information, go to: https://www.offalyhistory.com/