Town council to celebrate its 150th anniversary

A series of events marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Tullamore Town Council will take place throughout September. September 3, 1860, was the date on which the first meeting of Tullamore Town Commissioners took place and the incumbent councillors will hold a special meeting on that date this year to mark the occasion. A commemorative tree will be planted in Lloyd Town Park by the Cathaoirleach of the Town Council, Cllr Molly Buckley on that same day. Later on in the month, on September 23, the Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society and Offaly Library Service will jointly put on a exhibition of photographs in the Town Hall for the week. Later that night, Dr Matthew Potter, Mary Immaculate College Limerick in the Town Hall, who is writing a book called 'Urban government and Civic Cultures in Ireland since 1800' and in which Tullamore is a case study, will be giving a lecture on the history of urban local government along with Michael Byrne. Tullamore Town Council has provided €400 in sponsorship to Dr Potter towards the publication costs. On Saturday September 25 and Sunday September 26, a multimedia exhibition showcasing 200 years of the Grand Canal and its connection to the council, will take place on Barge 107 B near the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre from 11am to 5pm. Free boat trips from the Canal Harbour and free tours of the heritage centre will also be provided on the weekend days. Also on Saturday, a 'Party in the Park' has been organised for Lloyd Town Park as part of Positive Aging Week from 2pm to 6pm, while on Sunday, the park will play host to a Family Fun Day organised by Offaly County Childcare Committee. A Mass for the repose of the souls of deceased members and staff of the Town Council will be celebrated in the Church of the Assumption at 1pm on Sunday. Finally, Michael Byrne will lead an historical walking tour of the town on Sunday September 26, starting from the Cormac St entrance of Lloyd Town Park at 2pm. There will also be a schools essay competition for both primary and secondary schools in early September. The anniversary celebrations are organised by a council sub-committee, with a budget of €7,000.