Co.Roscommon historical & archaeological society

A meeting of the Co. Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society will take place at 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 10th March 2020, in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown.

Following the meeting, at 8.30 p.m. (sharp), a talk on Father O’Flanagan will be given by May Moran.

Father Michael O’Flanagan (1876-1942) of Cloonfower Castlerea, a Conradh na Gaeilge member, was an academic and a fearless advocate for his parishioners and fellow countrymen. He promoted the Irish Co-operative Agricultural Society, Irish lace making and embroidery, and was instrumental in the establishment of a convent and a cheese making industry in Loughglynn.

A prominent member of Sinn Fein, from 1917 onwards, Father O’Flanagan served as curate in Crossna, Roscommon and Cliffoney. Between 1927 and 1932 he produced editions of the Ordnance Survey Letters, as collected by John O’ Donovan, for 29 counties. In 1932 he was appointed editor of a series of County Histories, in the Irish language, including County Roscommon in 1938. A political and social activist, Father O’Flanagan led prayers at the first meeting of Dáil Éireann in 1919.

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