Stories & Essays.

This page describes the stories and essays that we have written or that have been written for us, on the history of Co. Roscommon and on Roscommon documents & ephemera. Follow the individual links to read the essay. The list is in alphabetical order.

Corresponding with the past.

Letters can be a very useful source of local history. This essay takes a look at some of the unusual Roscommon letters that we have in our collection.

Glebe-Loans.

Glebe loans were monetary loans given out to clergymen to help them improve their homes in the late 1800's. The loans were administered by the Office of Public Works. This short essay is illustrated with a Co. Roscommon example.

Parish Newspapers.

These are (usually) annual publications in newspaper format. There are a number produced in Co. Roscommon every year. Read about them here.

Politics in Roscommon - Political Ephemera.

An explosion in the use of political ephemera occurred in Ireland in the 1970's. What caused this upsurge? Posters, flyers, badges etc. all became common currency in political campaigns, but will paper be replaced by computers and the internet in 2009? Read all about it here.

Reflections on History - Roscommon Gaelic Games!

2009 marks the 125 anniversary of the founding of the G.A.A. This essay takes a look at the match programmes that reflect Roscommon's contribution to the history of that organisation.

Roscommon Courthouse Fire 1882.

A rare document that survived the intervening years and links us directly with the great fire in Roscommon town. How did it survive the intervening years? Read on.

School Annuals.

An essay on annual magazines from secondary schools in Co. Roscommon. They have a long history in the county and are a great source of historical and family history information. How? - read about them here.

Strokestown Public Convenience Saga - 1945.

In 1945 Roscommon County Council built a public convenience in Church Street, Strokestown. Within the year they had to remove the building. Follow this link to find out why and to see what might be the only surviving images of the controversial structure.

The  Origins of  my  Family by Peter Manning, FIGRS

This essay was submitted by Peter Manning FIGRS, Chairman of the IGRS, and contains the fruits of his research into his Manning ancestors from Kilbride in Co. Roscommon. We welcome similar essays on Roscommon topics. If you have them please contact us.

The Rockville Navigation by Brian J. Goggin.

This is the story of the Rockville Navigation, a major 18th. century engineering project undertaken by the Lloyd Family from Rockville, near Aughrim, Co. Roscommon. It is the fabulous tale of a "lost waterway". On this link you will find a draft copy of Brian's essay. He is actively seeking help with the project. Find out how you might help here!

The Telephone Directory.

Telephone Directories have been around since the invention of the telephone in the late 1800's. Directories are useful for family history research and for other forms of historical research. Follow this link to read a short illustrated history of the telephone directory.

 

We would be delighted to feature your essay here. Please contact us with details.

Roscommon Courthouse today. Read the story about a document concerning its burning in 1882.

Read all about school annuals and how important they can be for local & family history.

Why is this man remembered for his political campaign in 2004?

Old telephone directories are a useful source for genealogy and technological history. Why?

This is the wax seal of a famous person who once lived in Elphin? Who was he?