News

2009

For Heritage Week 2009, Birr Historical Society commissioned a story board near St. Brendan's Church of Ireland in Commemoration of the World's First Motoring Fatality: Mary Ward, Birr, 1869. At Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, the Countess of Rosse spoke about Mary Ward's life, Dr Isobelle Fallon about medical aspects of motor accidents and Denis Dowdall about the development of safety features in motor vehicles.
The story board was unveiled by Lalla Ward, great-grandaughter of Mary Ward.

Mon. 18 June. Brian Pey. 'The parish of Eglish'

Mon. 20 April. Birthday party for President Irene Morrow at Ann Ward's house.

Mon. 23 March. Margaret Hogan. 'Illustrated lecture on Catherine Mahon, principal of Carrig NS, Birr, first woman President of INTO 1912-14'

Mon. 16 Feb. Jack Ryan. 'Illustrated lecture on Birr Post Office'

Mon. 19 Jan. Henry Harding. 'Freemasonry in Birr'

Lectures & activities

Summaries of lectures and other activities
by year is still in progress

2009

2008

2007

2006

Activities

The years 2006-9 were exciting for Birr historians.

* For Heritage Week 2008, Birr Historical Society organised a tour 'On the Trail of Stained Glass in Birr' for Friday 29 August 2008. We met at St Brendan's Church of Ireland where our guide was the Earl of Rosse. Then we walked to Birr Branch Library formerly the chapel of the Convent of Mercy where Margaret Hogan led the group and finally, next door to St Brendan's RC Church for a tour with Brian T. Kennedy. Research into the windows revealed many interesting and previously undiscovered facts and stories.

*  The Faddan More Psalter was found in Birr parish only five miles from the town in Summer 2006 and Birr Historical Society organised a conference on the Psalter on Sat. 11 October 2008.

* The Macregol Conference was held in Birr 1-3 Sept. 2006 and up to 200 people took part.

*  The new Birr Library opened in the Pugin-designed Convent Chapel. The restoration is widely admired and skilfully combines the traditional and modern.

*  Birr Historical Society presented a facsimile of the Macregol Gospel manuscript to Birr Library.

*  We welcomed a reunion of the Usher family of Birr organised by Gwen Knowles 28 June to 2 July 2007.

Birr Historical Society

was formed in the 1970s to:

- raise public awareness of the rich and varied cultural heritage of Birr

- provide a forum for people interested in history, especially the history of Birr and its neighbourhood

- encourage discussion of local history, culture and traditions

- invite visiting lecturers.

We belong to the Federation of Local History Societies.