Historic printing press returns home to Strokestown after 30 years

A historic printing press has been successfully returned to Strokestown, County Roscommon, after three decades away. The Strokestown Development Heritage Group orchestrated the retrieval of the machine that produced the Strokestown Democrat newspaper from 1907 to 1948, bringing it home from Bunratty Folk Park where it had been relocated in the 1980s.

The Albion printing press, manufactured between 1830 and 1850, represents a significant piece of local industrial heritage. The substantial machine weighs six tonnes and comprises fifty separate components, presenting considerable restoration challenges ahead. Recognising the technical expertise required, the heritage group has partnered with Turner Press and the National Print Museum to undertake the necessary conservation work and return the press to working condition.

The recovery marks an important moment for Strokestown's cultural preservation efforts. The printing press documented nearly four decades of the town's history through the Democrat newspaper, making it a valuable artefact for understanding the local community during the early twentieth century. With restoration underway, the press is expected to become a focal point for heritage tourism and education in the area, allowing visitors and residents alike to appreciate this tangible connection to Strokestown's past.

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