Shinrone Heritage Group

Shinrone Heritage Group Formed in 2004, the Shinrone Heritage Group aim to work with the community in promoting the diverse history of the area.

If you think you have an interest in our group, please contact 086 3339311 for further information. Shinrone Heritage Group

Following a survey in 2004 carried out by West Offaly Partnership for the Shinrone area under the Building Healthy Communities initiative ,it was established that there was an interest in local history. An open meeting inviting people in the area who expressed an interes

t was rolled out. On that night Shinrone Heritage Group was formed. We try to meet once a month, date , and times are usually advertised locally in the parish newsletter and Midland Tribune. The meetings are informal chats, stories and exchanges of information on various pieces of local history, monuments., people, estates, graveyards and so much more of our rich past. We undertake several visits to local Estate Houses and farms during the year, or other places of interest ie the Glass Furnace, Kilmurray , Kilcommon to name but a few. The Offaly Historical Society keeps us informed of events taking place throughout the county, and several members have attended theses delightful events

To date we have undertaken 2 large projects:

Promotion of Kilcommon Monastic site and The Rolleston Grave site at Glasshouse. The group consists of mainly locals, who have a vast knowledge of past events, people and their area. What more can I say about our little group, everybody is welcome. You don’t have to feel under pressure to contribute, just listen and learn .That’s what our main objective is.

This evening at 7pm.
02/06/2026

This evening at 7pm.

Join Shinrone TidyTowns this evening on the Roscrea Road. Meet up at entrance to Shinrone Oaks at 7pm. The clean up will take place from the entrance towards the speed limits.

All set for tomorrow evening!
27/05/2026

All set for tomorrow evening!

Excited to welcome Darren McLoughlin, archaeologist, geneticist and rare-breed conservationist, for a fascinating evening on Ireland’s cattle breeds.

Darren will explore the story of cattle in Ireland, from farming and folklore to DNA research and the future of our rare breeds in modern farming.

All welcome!

Our thanks to Offaly Independent for sharing our event - the Bo Riabhach pictured is one of 70 or so left in the world. ...
25/05/2026

Our thanks to Offaly Independent for sharing our event - the Bo Riabhach pictured is one of 70 or so left in the world. The breed has a rich folklore tradition known as "The Borrowing Days," join us Thursday to learn more....

Shinrone Heritage Group is set to host a talk titled “Cattle in Ancient and Modern Ireland”.

25/05/2026
Lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon in the cool breeze of the Shannon…
23/05/2026

Lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon in the cool breeze of the Shannon…

🐦 Summer Swift Walk in Banagher

Join Biodiversity Officer Ricky Whelan and local naturalist Thérèse Kelly to welcome back the swifts to Banagher! We’ll head out on a relaxed summer stroll around the town, keeping an eye out for swifts and other visiting bird species in action.

📅 Sunday 24th May
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Meeting point: Banagher Library Car Park

Learn more about these fascinating birds and discover why Banagher is one of the best places in Ireland to see swifts up close.
For more Biodiversity events, check out - https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/

A great read on Nellie Melba (after which Melba's Nightclub was named) by Aidan Doyle.
22/05/2026

A great read on Nellie Melba (after which Melba's Nightclub was named) by Aidan Doyle.

A Prima Donna in King’s County/ Offaly, Dame Nellie Melba 1861-1931. By Aidan Doyle.  Melbourne, February 26 1931- The usually busy streets of Melbourne were hushed today when Britain’s “Queen…

Excited to welcome Darren McLoughlin, archaeologist, geneticist and rare-breed conservationist, for a fascinating eveni...
21/05/2026

Excited to welcome Darren McLoughlin, archaeologist, geneticist and rare-breed conservationist, for a fascinating evening on Ireland’s cattle breeds.

Darren will explore the story of cattle in Ireland, from farming and folklore to DNA research and the future of our rare breeds in modern farming.

All welcome!

This evening….
13/05/2026

This evening….

REMINDER TODAY'S EVENTS #3 - Wednesday 13 May 2026

BISHOP MAGINN – THE FAMINE AND THE FUGITIVE

Venue: Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna
Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Time: 8.00pm

A site-specific staged reading in one act

Written by Turlough McConnell and directed by Marian Frawley
Performed by the Portumna Players Drama Group

“In the darkest year of Ireland’s Famine, a defiant bishop and a hunted revolutionary meet in secret – and must decide how much a nation is worth saving.”

On July 29, 1848, the Young Ireland rebellion was crushed in a matter of hours at Ballingarry, County Tipperary. Its leaders were hunted down, arrested and sentenced to death. A wanted man, charged with treason, he sought the one person who might save him. That man was Dr Edward Maginn, the Catholic Bishop of Derry.

Performed in the very spaces where the starving once sought relief, this extraordinary true story becomes living theatre.

Historic reflections will be offered by Professor Christine Kinealy, Quinnipiac University, and Dr Gerard Moran, Emeritus Professor, University of International Summer School, University of Galway



Galway County Heritage Office Galway Public Libraries Galway County Council The Heritage Council NUI Galway - Department of History Galway County Public Participation Network Department of Culture, Communications and Sport National Monuments Service - Archaeology Galway Community Archaeology Galway Rural Development The Galway Advertiser Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune Visit Portumna Love Portumna Irish Heritage News Irish Heritage Group fans

Portumna Castle Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

13/05/2026

Join us in celebrating in Offaly from Friday 15th – Sunday 24th May for a fantastic line-up of nature events across the county.

Enjoy guided walks, wildlife talks, and special events including:
📍 Crann Guided Walk in Lloyd Park with Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group
🌲 A Walk in the Woods - Family Forest Day, Derrybeg with Irish Forest Owners
🦅 Peregrine Falcons talk in Tullamore (Fully Booked)
🦇 Blundell Bat House ribbon cutting in Edenderry
🌊 Dancing Dippers walk in Birr
✨ Welcome Back the Swifts in Banagher

📚 Plus, biodiversity activities running all week in Offaly Libraries

Some events require booking, so be sure to check details in advance.

You will find all national events on, www.biodiversityweek.ie, or filter your search to fill all events!

Contact [email protected] for more information on any of our events!

These events are supported by Offaly County Council and The Heritage Council

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Birr

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