Publications

The Landscape of Clonmacnoise by John Feehan, published by Offaly County Council 2014

This publication is 130+ pages, A3, full colour and in John's unique style it details the evolution of the landscape of the Parish of Clonmacnoise. It is published by Offaly County Council and retails at €45.00. It is available in Midland Books High Street, Robbins Tanyard Lane and Offaly History on Bury Quay all in Tullamore.

Did you know? 100 quirky facts about County Offaly, collated by Amanda Pedlow, Heritage O...

. . . one of Ireland's last public hangings took place at Tullamore Gaol . . . Croghan Hill is a volcano . . . Offaly has some of the finest eskers in Europe . . . letterboxes are more political than you thought . . . the first All-Ireland Hurling Final took place in Birr . . . an ancient Pilgrims' Road leads to Clonmacnoise . . . a railway line once ran from Clara to Banagher

This book retailing at €10.00 is available in bookshops in County Offaly, and also in Offaly History and Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre on Bury Quay and Birr Castle, Gardens and Science Centre Shop. It features 100 selected, quirky aspects of the county with a brief text and illustration for each one.

It was reviewed by Rosita Boland of the Irish Times on January 15th 2014.

The Marble of Clonmacnoise, Limestone Quarrying at Clerhane, (Clorhane), Shannonbridge, C...

This book is now available in Offaly History on Bury Quay, Midland Books on High Street, Robbins Bookshop in the Tanyard in Tullamore.    The book describes Clorhane townland, the surrounding area and tells the story of the quarries, their owners and the craftsmen who worked there from early records, to their heyday, decline and eventual closure. The type of stone, the work of cutting and carving and the resultant output and the many fine buildings to which they contributed are also examined.

Please note much of the land is in private ownership and permission should be sought from landowners before entering. If in doubt please contact heritage@offalycoco.ie

The Geology of Laois and Offaly by John Feehan published by Offaly County Council 2013

The last thirty years have seen much new research on the geology of Laois and Offaly, shedding new light on – and providing fascinating new insights into – the landscape heritage of the two counties. John Feehan has remained in close touch with this research since his own work on Slieve Bloom as a post-graduate student in the Department of Geology at Trinity College in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Geology of Laois and Offaly is published in hard cover format, some 400 pages long, 21cm x 31cm (Portrait) size, profusely illustrated throughout, in full colour. The price is €40.00 and one can be ordered in any book shop and it is currently in stock in Midland books, High Street, Robbins in Tanyard Lane and Offaly History on Bury Quay, all in Tullamore and in Easons/ Supervalue in Main Street, Birr.

Irish Times - Michael Viney - Sat, May 18, 2013 'I can imagine myself at, say, 14, finding this in a bookcase and thrilling to the pictures of Jurassic sea dragons, the sparkling minerals and weird fossils, and the boldly evocative drama of Jock Nichol’s paintings of the changing eras. I might not have absorbed a whole lot of the story, but I’d have gone down to Brighton’s pebbly beach with quite a different eye.'

Geashill, the Evolution of its Architecture - by Rachel McKenna, County Architect, publis...

Published in 2012, this landscape A4, hard back, full colour book details the architecture of Geashill through mapping, key buildings and use of different materials. The book is highly illustrated with current and historic photographs, paintings and sketches. It is available for €14.99 from shops in Geashill, Midland Books in High Street, Robbins in Tanyard Lane, Tullamore and from the Offaly History, Bury Quay, Tullamore. Alternatively post a cheque for €14.99 made out to Offaly County Council and post to Heritage Office, Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly for free delivery within Ireland.

Croghan, County Offaly - by John Feehan, published by Offaly County Council 2011

John's clear narration describes the evolution of Croghan hill and the wider landscape setting. This book is A3 in size, hardback and it is highly illustrated. It is published by Offaly County Council in association with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. It costs €30.00 and is available from Midland Books, High Street, Tullamore or the Offaly Historical Society, Bury Quay Tullamore.

Heart and Soul, A History of St Brendan's Graveyard in Birr

Written by Stephen Callaghan and Caimin O'Brien. Published by Offaly County Council November 2016. This book details the history of the monastic, parochial, then Church of Ireland and now ruined church and burial ground. With details on symbolism and memorial transcriptions useful for all those interested in burial grounds. €20.00.

Dan Edwards, The Life and Times of a Craftsman and Artist

By Declan Ryan with Dan Edwards. Published by Offaly County Council August 2016. A profile of blacksmith Dan Edwards and his interaction with West Offaly over 9 decades. €20.00.

Flights of Fancy; Follies, Families and Demesnes

'Flights of Fancy; follies, families and demesnes' by Rachel McKenna, county architect, published by Offaly County Council in November 2017 features 15 Offaly demesnes - Tubberdaly, Mullagh Hill, Hollow House at Tinnycross, Acres and Charleville, Bellview Kilclare, Ballycumber, Moorock, Prospect, Birr, Kinnitty, Ballyeighan, Gloster, Busherstown and Loughton. It is full colour and over 350 pages. Available for €30.00 from the following locations Tullamore - Offaly History in Bury Quay, Robbins in the Tanyard, and Midland Books, High Street. Birr - Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre Shop. Dublin - Irish Georgian Society Shop, 58 South William Street Dublin 2, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2