Offaly History Monthly Lecture

Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society holds a free public lecture most months at its home in the Offaly History Centre on Bury Quay, Tullamore, usually starting at 7:30pm on a weekday evening. The society’s autumn season traditionally opens in the last week of September after a summer break; in past years the opening lecture has fallen on the last Monday of the month, which in 2026 is Monday, 28 September. Recent lectures have covered subjects including the history of Offaly GAA, the geology and history of the River Brosna, and the Voices of Offaly oral history archive.

What to expect

Talks are given by local historians, archivists and researchers and are open to anyone with an interest in Offaly’s history, not just society members. Past lectures have run for around 45 minutes followed by questions, and are sometimes preceded by a short society AGM or notices. The society has been based at Bury Quay since 1993, where it also runs a bookshop, library and reading room, and the lecture series is one strand of a wider programme that includes exhibitions, guided walks and the annual Offaly Heritage journal. Because the exact evening and topic for the next lecture are usually confirmed only a few weeks in advance, check offalyhistory.com or the society’s Facebook page nearer the date to confirm the details.

Getting there

The Offaly History Centre is on Bury Quay in Tullamore town centre, within walking distance of the main car parks and the bus stop on O’Connor Square. Tullamore is on the Dublin to Galway rail line.

While you’re in Tullamore

A lecture evening is easy to combine with dinner in Tullamore beforehand, with the town centre and the Grand Canal harbour both a short walk from Bury Quay. There is more to explore across Co. Offaly.

Good to know

• Date: monthly; the autumn season opening lecture is likely Monday, 28 September 2026, based on the society’s usual pattern (confirm nearer the date)
• Time: usually 7:30pm
• Venue: Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore
• Price: free and open to the public
• Recurrence: monthly lectures, roughly September to May, with a summer break