THE BARRACK SQUARE

Thomas Costello was born in Shinrone, King’s County (Offaly) around 1837. Thomas was a volunteer in the 98th King’s County Rifles, the...

Through the course of my research, I have searched both 1901 and 1911 census for army pensioners living in and around Birr. One army...

While looking through online auctions sites I came across the following brass plaque or 'trench art', clearly a souvenir of service in...

The medals of James Stephens. Recently a friend linked me to some medals for sale, the group consisted of the 1914 Star, the British War...

Alexander Campbell was born in Auchinbreck, Argyllshire, Scotland on 10 October 1795. Possibly related to the Campbells of Auchinbreck,...

Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the death of Sergeant Gordon Brooker of the Leinster Regiment. Sergeant Brooker was buried in an...

As it was the anniversary of the death of Private Christopher White during this past week it would only be fitting to feature his story...

There was a significant contribution of men from the town of Birr, King’s County during the Great War. The true extent is not fully...

Andrew Acres Stoney was born in Frankford (Kilcormac), King’s County (County Offaly) on 8 October 1879. He was the only surviving son of...

Today we look at Gunner Patrick Brien of the Royal Garrison Artillery who is buried in Killoughy Cemetery, County Offaly. Killoughly...

My early days of researching soldier’s in Birr began with spending countless hours wandering around Clonoghill Cemetery, which is just a...

Throughout County Offaly, many Church of Ireland churches have seen a decline in numbers, this has resulted in some churches being...

A number of years ago I came across a Queen's South Africa medal. On initial research there did not appear to be much information about...

The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII was appointed commander in chief of the Leinster Regiment in 1919. In 1922 he visited the 1st...

The old medieval church, St Brendan’s in Birr was replaced by a new church, also named St Brendan’s in 1816. when the new church, also...

Michael Egleton was born in Birr, King’s County around 1840. He was the son of John Egleton, his mother has not been traced. Michael...

11 November 2020 marks one year to the day since the 6.6-meter-tall oak cross commemorating Captain Lancelot Joseph Moore Studholme was...

Among the many military graves of Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr there is the grave of Lieutenant Douglas Archibald Ross of the Royal Scots...

Robert Malcolm Vernon Willington was born at St Kieran’s, Dorrha, County Tipperary on 13 November 1895.He was the youngest son of James...

To celebrate the publication of my latest book “Birr Military Cemetery”, I thought I would write a special themed post to mark the...