The first summer tour of 2026 is to Shannonbridge
23 May 2026 Saturday, Tour of Shannonbridge depart at 10 a.m. from Offaly History Centre (let us know if you can share or need a lift). To meet at Shannonbridge at the Old Fort across the Bridge at 11 a.m. Our guide is Declan Ryan. Starting with coffee, followed by tours of the forts, the river and the town. To conclude about 1.30 p.m. with lunch at Killeen’s (you need to book this yourself). This is an excellent venue so why not make it a day out and bring the family and friends. Declan will be an excellent guide Note Sturdy Footwear required for uneven ground and long wet grass. And on Friday evening in Banagher….
TALK ON ARMSTRONG FAMILY HISTORY 22 May 5 p.m by Eduardo M. Garcia Fernandez Saenz from Buenos Aires
Local history enthusiasts are in for a real treat next week when Eduardo M. Garcia Fernandez Saenz from Buenos Aires will give an important talk on his Armstrong ancestors, in particular Thomas St. George Armstrong who was born in Garrycastle, Banagher, in 1797. At the early age of twenty Thomas went to Argentina and between then and his death in 1875 he became a very successful businessman, married into aristocratic society and also became an adviser to the rulers of Argentina. The talk will be held in Crank House, Lower Main Street, Banagher at 5 p.m. on Friday 22nd May. The event is organised by Offaly History and all are welcome. Enquiries to James Scully at 085 710 7569.
SHANNON-BRIDGE, a village, and a fortified military station, the former in the parish of Clonmacnoise, barony of Garrycastle, King’s co., Leinster, and the latter, in the parish of Moore, barony of Moycarne, co. Roscommon, Connaught. The village stands on the left bank of the river Shannon, and on the road from Ballinasloe to most parts of King’s co., 6¼ miles south-east by east of Ballinasloe, 8¼ west of Ferbane, and 65¼ west of Dublin. The bridge which gives name to the place is, with the exception of the splendid new ones recently erected at Limerick, Banagher, and Athlone, one of he finest upon the Shannon ; it commands a full view of the flat, boggy country around, and of the huge and sinuous bog-ditch formed by the snaky convolutions of the river Suck; it measures 420 feet in length, and has 16 arches across the river, and two across the brief line of adjacent canal; and its carriage-way is perfectly level, ample in breadth, and considerably elevated above the water. One of the two arches across the canal admits the transit of boats; and the other, which is small, spans the track-path of the horses. The brief line of canal obviates a fall of about a foot in the current of the river, in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. The Commissioners for improving the navigation of the river Shannon, proposed some changes here – particularly the deepening of the canal cut, the removal of the lock, and the construction of a swivel bridge across the arch-estimated to cost £7,000. “The Roscommon end of the bridge is occupied by a military work, which forms a téte de pont capable of accommodating a small garrison. The public road wends between the barracks and fort, passing through a strong gate; and the place, besides being defended by the guns of the fort, is protected on the Connaught side by an advanced redoubt on a rising ground to the north of the highway.” The fortifications are closely similar to those at Banagher; but the barracks are larger, and the battery is more conspicuous.
Shannon-bridge is one of the three fortified passes still maintained upon the Shannon, the other two being Banagher and Athlone. The village is of recent origin, or at least of recent restoration; but, apart from the adjoining garrison, it is a place of very small importance or note. Fairs are held on Jan. 1, April 28, June 24, and Sept. 12. On the Roscommon side is a constabulary station; within a mile of the village, on King’s co. side, is the seat of Templeduff; and 3½ miles up the river are the ecclesiastical ruins, and the quondam episcopal town of CLONMACNOISE : which see. The environs of Shannonbridge, in a general view, are exceedingly dreary. Area of the village, exclusive of everything on the Roscommon side, 24 acres. Pop., in 1831, 559; in 1841,398. Houses 67. Families employed chiefly in agriculture, 25; in manufactures and trade, 23; in other pursuits, 35. Families dependent chiefly on property and professions, 13; on the directing of labour, 33; on their own manual labour, 35; on means not specified, 2.
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