Co. Roscommon • 10 stories • Since 2026-04-12
The Eugene Murphy Cabaret Show is taking place on Tuesday, 14th April at the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown, featuring special guest Tara O'Connor. The event promises a night of music, laughs and entertainment.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has successfully brought home a historic printing press that operated the Strokestown Democrat newspaper from 1907 to 1948. The machine had been sent to Bunratty Folk Museum in the 1980s but has now been retrieved and returned to Strokestown, where it will be preserved as an important piece of local heritage.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has received confirmation that a local well will be opened up and examined as part of their broader heritage preservation efforts. This follows their successful retrieval of the historic printing press and reflects the group's commitment to documenting and preserving Strokestown's local history.
A major 7-kilometre bypass of French Park and Strokestown on the N5 has opened to traffic after years of planning and construction. The €69 million project was delivered 18-19 months ahead of schedule and is expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety in the region. Minister Dara O'Brien cut the ribbon at the official opening, commending Roscommon County Council, the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and contractor Willis Brothers.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has successfully brought home a historic printing press that was used to publish the Strokestown Democrat newspaper from 1907 to 1948. The machine had been donated to Bunratty Folk Museum in the 1990s but has now been recovered and returned to Strokestown. The press, made between 1830-1850, weighs six tonnes and requires significant restoration work to preserve this important piece of local heritage.
The Strokestown Democrat was founded in 1907 by brothers Paddy and Owen Moran and operated until 1948, publishing nationalist content during a sensitive period including the 1917 election and anti-conscription campaigns during WWI. The Moran brothers faced significant harassment and arrest for their editorial choices but continued publishing despite the dangers. The newspaper expanded beyond news to print leaflets, dance tickets, and other materials, becoming a vital community resource.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has received confirmation that a local well will be opened up and examined. This is part of the group's broader efforts to preserve and document local heritage for future generations, following their successful recovery of the historic printing press.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has successfully brought back a historic printing press that was used to publish the Strokestown Democrat newspaper from 1907 to 1948. The machine had been relocated to Bunratty Folk Park in the 1980s but is now back in Strokestown where it will be preserved and restored. The group is working with experts including Turner Press and the National Print Museum to restore the antique Albion printing press, which weighs six tons and comprises 50 separate pieces.
The Strokestown Democrat newspaper was founded in 1907 by brothers Patti and Owen Moron and published until 1948, printing not only the newspaper but also leaflets, posters, and dance tickets. The publication took a bold pro-nationalist stance during the 1917 election, publishing in support of Count Plunkett when many others refused, resulting in harassment and arrests of the owners. The newspaper ceased publication in 1948 due to immigration and the high costs of maintaining and updating the printing equipment.
The Strokestown Development Heritage Group has received confirmation from Roscommon County Council that a historic well in the community will be opened up and examined. This is part of the group's broader efforts to preserve local heritage and history for future generations, alongside their work on the returned printing press.