Exhibition of Tullamore brewing and distilling memorabilia
A new exhibition for National Heritage Week 2025 pays tribute to the history of glass making in Offaly back to the 17th century.
Five hundred years ago, glass making production flourished throughout Offaly and as a result the county was one of the main glass making areas of Ireland.
The History in Bottles exhibition explores the development of bottles. Visitors to the exhibition can view examples of 17th century onion bottles, 18th century mallet and cylindrical bottles, and 19th century Hamilton and Codd bottles. The free exhibition will display a comprehensive collection of embossed bottles used by the Williams and Egan firms of Tullamore. Visitors can view many fine examples of 19th and 20th century black, clear, brown and green embossed bottles used by the two Tullamore brewing and distilling firms to supply mineral waters, beers, wines and whiskies to their many customers.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Tullamore enjoyed a vibrant brewing and distilling industry. The two local firms of P & H Egan and D. E. Williams employed large workforces and for over a century the two firms contributed significantly to the economic development of Tullamore. Almost every family in Tullamore had a member working in either Egans or Williams and many houses proudly displayed memorabilia from the local firms.
The exhibition will also display Tullamore related brewing and distilling memorabilia. Visitors will see five different sized Irish Mist figures, ten P & H Egan and ten D. E. Williams various sized whiskey jars ranging in capacity from a half gallon to 5 gallons. Signs, price lists, advertising and promotional material produced by the two Tullamore firms will also be on show.
The exhibition takes place in Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Eircode R35 Y5VO on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, from 1 pm to 5 pm. Admission is free. The history in bottles – exhibition of Tullamore brewing and distilling memorabilia exhibits are curated by Offaly History members Noel Guerin and Pat Doheny.