Imagine passing construction work on the street or in the countryside, what might you expect to come across or see? Perhaps old masonry, historic detritus or nothing at all?! How about a skeleton? Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century it was not too unusual to come across human remains during construction work or in sand … Continue reading Skeletal remains by the roadside in County […]

On the eve of the Great Famine in 1845 the backwardness of Irish agriculture was seen by many as the reason for much of the country’s economic woes. About Irish farmers, it was stated that they knew nothing of the ‘English’ method of farming or indeed welcomed its arrival. However, there was amongst many Irish … Continue reading Agriculture in Offaly on the eve of the Great Famine. By […]

One in every three illegitimate children died within one year of birth in 1924. The mortality rate was said to be five times higher than that for parented children. The death rate of infant illegitimate children in the institutions was high as they were undernourished. The high level of infant mortality seemed to cause surprise … Continue reading Mother and Child Report: an opportunity to […]

Bronze Age Ireland The Irish Bronze Age dates from approximately 2500BC to 500BC. The period is characterised by the wealth of new, innovative and exciting metalworking techniques. The population of Bronze Age Ireland was highly organised. This period was a time of extraordinary wealth and international exchanges between Ireland, Britain, central Europe and Spain. Among the exceptional […]

The first hotel constructed in Tullamore in 1786 cost £200. The second in 1801 about £4,5,00. Even by multiplying by 200 for the cost of living today, this expenditure was light in the context of the three new hotels in Tullamore in 1997- 2008 which may possibly represent a total expenditure of €25 million for … Continue reading The Tullamore Grand Canal Hotel, 1801–1974. By […]