Editing Tullamore

{{short description|Town in County Offaly, Ireland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type                 = Town
| name                            = Tullamore
| native_name                     = {{lang|ga|Tulach Mhór}}
| native_name_lang                = ga
| image_skyline                   = {{multiple image
|border = infobox
|total_width = 280px
|image_style = border:1;
|perrow = 2/2
|image1 = O' Connor Square, Tullamore, 2021-07-21.jpg
|caption1 = O'Connor Square
|image2 = Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, 2021-07-21, 01.jpg
|caption2 = Church of the Assumption
|image3 = Offaly County Council Municipal District of Tullamore, 01.jpg
|caption3 = [[Tullamore Town Hall]]
|image4 = Tullamore Town Park, 2021-07-21, 01.jpg
|caption4 = Town park
}}
| image_flag                      = Tullamoreflag.svg
| image_shield                    = Tullamore Coat of Arms.svg
| shield_size                     = 
| pushpin_map                     = Ireland
| pushpin_label_position          = right 
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Ireland
| coordinates                     = {{coord|53.2667|-7.5000|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| blank_name_sec1                 = Irish Grid Reference
| blank_info_sec1                 = {{iem4ibx|N335248}}
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| elevation_m                     = 73
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Ireland
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Leinster]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[County Offaly|Offaly]]
| population                      = 15,598
| population_as_of                = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="2022census">{{cite web|url = https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 | title = Census 2022 {{!}} Profile 1 - Population Distribution and Movement {{!}} F1015 - Population| website = data.cso.ie | accessdate = 29 July 2023 }}</ref>
| area_code_type                  = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]
| area_code                       = +353(0)57
| postal_code_type                = [[Eircode]] routing key
| postal_code                     = R35
| timezone                        = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset                      = ±0
| timezone_DST                    = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = +1
}}

'''Tullamore''' ({{IPAc-en|'|t|U|l|@|,|m|o:r}}; {{Irish place name|Tulach Mhór|great mound}}) is the [[county town]] of [[County Offaly]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It is on the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]], in the middle of the county, and is the fourth most populous town in the [[Midland Region, Ireland|Midlands Region]], with 15,598 inhabitants at the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]].<ref name="2022census"/>

The town retained Gold Medal status in the National Tidy Town Awards in 2015 and also played host to the World [[Sheep Dog Trials]] in 2005, which attracted international interest in the region. The [[Tullamore Show]] is held near the town every year. The town's most famous export is [[Tullamore Dew]]&nbsp;– an [[Irish whiskey]] distilled by [[Tullamore Distillery]]&nbsp;– that can be traced back to 1829. The [[Old Tullamore Distillery|original distillery]] was shut down in 1954. The brand was later resurrected, but at first was produced at the [[New Midleton Distillery|Midleton Distillery]] in [[County Cork|Cork]]. However, in 2014, the brand's new owners, [[William Grant & Sons]], invested in a new distillery near Tullamore, bringing whiskey production back to the town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/tullamore-dew-opens-irish-distillery/|title=Tullamore Dew opens Irish distillery|date=17 September 2014|work=Drinks Industry Ireland|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118222135/http://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/tullamore-dew-opens-irish-distillery/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==

{{Historical populations|state=collapsed|width=22.2em
|1821|5407
|1831|6342
|1841|6343
|1851|4630
|1861|4797
|1871|5179
|1881|5098
|1891|4522
|1901|4639
|1911|4926
|1926|4930
|1936|5135
|1946|5897
|1951|6165
|1956|6147
|1961|6243
|1966|6874
|1971|7474
|1981|8724
|1986|9442
|1991|9430
|1996|10039
|2002|11098
|2006|12927
|2011|14361
|2016|14607
|2022|15598
| footnote=<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/census |title=Census for post 1821 figures. |access-date=25 July 2009 |archive-date=9 March 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309005718/http://www.cso.ie/census/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/|title=HISTPOP.ORG - Home|website=www.histpop.org|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=28 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828234704/http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |title=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency - Census Home Page |access-date=2013-08-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| last=Lee
| first=J. J.
| author-link=J. J. Lee (historian)
| editor-last=Goldstrom
| editor-first=J. M.
| editor2-last=Clarkson
| editor2-first=L. A.
| title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
| year=1981
| publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]| location=Oxford, England
| chapter=On the accuracy of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| last1 = Mokyr
| first1 = Joel
| author-link = Joel Mokyr
| last2 = O Grada
| first2 = Cormac
| title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850
| journal =[[The Economic History Review]]| volume =  37
| issue =  4
| pages = 473–488
|date=November 1984
| url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 4 December 2012
| doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x
| hdl = 10197/1406
| hdl-access = free
}}</ref><ref name="sapmap2016">{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=28F89BE4-314D-44FC-B447-F28C0FF6A127#SAPMAP_T1_100 | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]] | work = Census 2016 | title = Sapmap Area - Settlements - Tullamore | date = 2016 | access-date = 12 January 2018 | archive-date = 13 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150203/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=28F89BE4-314D-44FC-B447-F28C0FF6A127#SAPMAP_T1_100 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="2022census"/>
}}

In the [[Middle Ages]], Tullamore was within the [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] territory of [[Firceall]] ruled by the O'Molloy clan. Firceall was part of the [[Kingdom of Meath]]. The Tullamore area was part of the first English [[Plantations of Ireland|plantations in Ireland]] during the 1550s when land was confiscated from the native Irish and colonized with English settlers. Firceall was divided into the baronies of [[Ballycowan (barony)|Ballycowan]], [[Ballyboy (barony)|Ballyboy]] and [[Eglish (barony)|Eglish]], with Tullamore located in Ballycowan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omolloy.com/ |title=Molloy Omolloy Clan Rally Firceall Molloy Family Geneaology Family Tree Ancestors Offaly Ireland - Omolloy Molloy Ireland Molloys |publisher=Omolloy.com |access-date=2019-11-12 |archive-date=21 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221030209/http://www.omolloy.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Tullamore area, comprising some {{convert|5000|acre|ha|order=flip|sigfig=1}}, was granted by the English to Sir John Moore in 1622. At that time the Tullamore estate included a ruined castle, ten cottages and two water mills. Sir Robert Forth, who leased the lands from Thomas Moore (son and heir of Sir John), built a mansion house c.1641 in what is now the Charleville [[demesne]]. Charles Moore, Lord Tullamore, grandson of Thomas, eventually regained possession of the estate and when he died in 1674 it went via his sister to Charles William Bury. Charles William was later (1806) created the 1st [[Earl of Charleville]] in a second creation of the title.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishmidlandsancestry.com/content/offaly/community/charleville_demense.htm|title = Charleville Demesne & The Burys, 1600–1900|access-date = 15 December 2012|url-status = usurped|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019170222/http://www.irishmidlandsancestry.com/content/offaly/community/charleville_demense.htm|archive-date = 19 October 2013|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

On 10 May 1785, the town was seriously damaged when the crash of a [[hot air balloon]] resulted in a fire that burned down as many as 130 homes, giving the town the distinction of being the location of the world's first known [[aviation disaster]].<ref>Byrne, Michael. [https://www.offalyhistory.com/reading-resources/history/tullamore-history/the-tullamore-balloon-fire-first-air-disaster-in-history The Tullamore Balloon Fire – First Air Disaster in History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216152553/https://www.offalyhistory.com/reading-resources/history/tullamore-history/the-tullamore-balloon-fire-first-air-disaster-in-history |date=16 December 2014 }}, Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society website, 9 January 2007 (retrieved 7 July 2011), which in turn cites:
* ''[[Faulkner's Dublin Journal]]'', 14 May 1785, and
* ''[[Finn's Leinster Journal]]''.</ref> To this day, the town shield depicts a [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] rising from the ashes. The event is yearly commemorated by the Phoenix festival which celebrates Tullamore's resurrection from the ashes following the accident.

The [[Grand Canal of Ireland|Grand Canal]] linked Tullamore to [[Dublin]] in 1798. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], a clash between troops of the [[King's German Legion]] and a regiment of British Light Infantry who were both stationed in the town, became known as the Battle of Tullamore. Tullamore became [[county town]] of [[County Offaly]] in 1835, replacing [[Daingean]].

Tullamore has a long history of [[Whisky|whiskey distilling]], with two distilleries known to have operated in the town in the 1780s, though closed some years later.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Irish Midland Studies: Essays in honour of N. W. English, Athlone|last=Harman|first=Murtagh|year=1980|pages=213–228}}</ref> Subsequently, a [[Old Tullamore Distillery|new distillery]] was established by Michael Molloy, on the site of one of the old distilleries in 1829.<ref name=":1" /> When Molloy died, the distillery first passed to his brother Anthony, before eventually making its way into the hands of his nephew, Bernard Daly.<ref name=":1" /> When Daly died, his son, Captain Bernard Daly took ownership of the business. With an estate in Terenure, Captain Daly left the day-to-day running of the business to Daniel E. Williams, the distillery's [[general manager]], under whose careful watch the distillery grew and prospered, and launched [[Tullamore Dew]], the whiskey which bears his initials.  Williams brought electricity to Tullamore in 1893. The distillery installed the town's first telephones and introduced motorised transport.  Williams ran various commercial businesses throughout the [[Irish midlands]]&nbsp;– drinks businesses, tea importing, seed and grain retail, and a network of 26 general stores.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Following this period, [[Prohibition in the United States]], an [[Anglo-Irish Trade War|economic war]] with Britain in the 1930s, and [[World War II]] all harmed the industry. Tullamore was one of many Irish distilleries affected by a general decline in Irish whiskey sales worldwide. After World War II, Desmond Williams, grandson of Daniel E. Williams, used modern marketing techniques to re-establish Irish whiskey in world markets. In 1947, Desmond Williams also developed [[Irish Mist]], an Irish [[liqueur]] made from a blend of whiskey, herbs and honey, using a recipe alleged to have disappeared in the late 17th century and to have been rediscovered in a manuscript 250 years later. Williams also capitalised on the [[Irish coffee]] concept, and promoted blended whiskeys along with Tullamore Dew.

== Culture ==
[[File:Patrick Street Tullamore cropped.jpg|240px|thumbnail|Patrick Street, Tullamore]]
The Tullamore Phoenix Festival was an annual celebration of art, culture and heritage first held in August between 2000 and 2007.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Festival events included hot air balloons, concerts, street entertainment, a parade, and fireworks.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

The ''[[Queen of the Land Festival]]'' takes place in Tullamore each year on the second weekend in November. Primarily a personality contest, it seeks to find the best examples of a modern Irish woman. It is organised by Offaly Macra Na Feirme. Each year about 25 girls between the age of 17 and 35 compete to be crowned Queen of the Land. The festival provides a host of entertainment throughout the town over the weekend, primarily at night.

An annual [[Tullamore Show]] takes place on the second Sunday of August every year. It was cancelled in 2007 and 2008 due to heavy rain, though it ran again in 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/tullamore-show-cancelled-for-second-year-after-downpours-1451558.html | work=[[Irish Independent]] | title=Tullamore Show cancelled for second year after downpours | date=11 August 2008 | access-date=7 March 2009 | archive-date=18 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018125249/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/tullamore-show-cancelled-for-second-year-after-downpours-1451558.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Agriculture was originally the show's main focus, but this has broadened to include entertainment, food, crafts, lifestyle, trade stands, food and refreshments, fashion and entertainment.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Hugh Lynch's Pub on Kilbride Street has been operating as a public house since the early 1800s. In the early 1900s it was bought by the Williams Group, founders of the D.E. Williams Distillery, and run as a public bar and grocery, along with many other outlets in the [[Irish Midlands]], from which they sold their growing whiskey brand "Tullamore Dew". It has been in the Lynch Family since 1971.

The national [[Fleadh Cheoil]] was held in Tullamore for the very first time in August 2007. It returned in 2008 and returned for the third time from 21 to 23 August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/fleadh_cheoil_na_heireann_2009/ |title=The 2009 Fleadh Ceoil |access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-date=11 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211081708/http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/fleadh_cheoil_na_heireann_2009/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[National Ploughing Championships]], Europe's largest Outdoor Exhibition and Agriculture Trade Show, was held in Screggan, Tullamore in 2016. The total attendance figures for the 2016 Championship came to a record-breaking 283,000. The show returned to Screggan in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Shea |first=Cormac |date=2017-09-19 |title=Ploughing championship 2017 LIVE: Good weather in Tullamore as it kicks off |url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/national-ploughing-championship-2017-live-11198439 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Irish Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

== Places of interest ==
[[File:Charleville Castle (cropped).png|thumb|upright|[[Charleville Castle]]]]
[[File:Tullamore Dew Whiskey.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A bottle of Tullamore Dew whiskey|[[Tullamore Dew]]]]

The Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre on the banks of the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]] focuses on the distilling, canal and urban history of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tullamoredew.com/en-gb/visit-us/ |title=Irish Whiskey Distillery Tours & Tastings |publisher=Tullamore DEW |access-date=2019-11-12 |archive-date=25 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625071357/https://www.tullamoredew.com/en-gb/visit-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Audio visual and self-guided tours are available.

Charleville Estate is located on the edge of the town. The Gothic [[Charleville Castle]] stands in this parkland setting which contains the [[King Oak]], one of the biggest and oldest oak trees in the country. The castle is said to be haunted and was featured on series 1 of [[Living TV]]'s ''[[Most Haunted]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/most-haunted/charleville-forest-castle/episode/282481/summary.html |title=Season 1 Episode 16 |date=10 September 2002 |publisher=[[tv.com]] }}</ref> The oak woodland is botanically an important survivor of primeval stock. The park was the location of the annual Tullamore Agricultural Show. However following the cancellation of the show for two consecutive years due to heavy rainfall the event was moved to a new location with improved drainage in the [[Blue Ball, County Offaly|Blue Ball]] area, south of the town.

Tullamore is used as a base for the [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]] to the south of the county.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Also south of Tullamore are the [[Lough Boora]] parklands. These [[boglands]] contain a range of flora and fauna. The wetlands also contain a number of large-scale [[environmental sculpture]]s that form part of the '[[Sculpture in the Parklands]]' sculpture park. {{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

10&nbsp; km west of Tullamore is the village of [[Rahan, County Offaly|Rahan]]. The remains of what was once a large monastery settlement founded by St.Carthage or [[Mochuda]] in the 6th century, can be seen in the village.

Within 5 minutes drive is the [[Celtic cross]] of [[Durrow, County Offaly|Durrow]]. In the late 6th century, [[Durrow Abbey]] was founded here by [[Saint Columba]]. The monastery is known for the [[Book of Durrow]], an illuminated manuscript probably written here around 700.<ref>Meehan, Bernard. ''The Book of Durrow: A Medieval Masterpiece at Trinity College Dublin'', p. 4, 1996, Town House, Dublin, {{ISBN|1-57098-053-5}}</ref> Nearby is the 7th-century Tihilly Church and [[High cross|High Cross]]. Little remains of the stone church, but the high cross has visible patterns of beasts as well as panels of Adam and Eve and the crucifixion.<ref>{{cite book |last=Meehan |first=Cary |date=2004 |title=Sacred Ireland |url= |location=Somerset |publisher=Gothic Image Publications |page=411|isbn=0 906362 43 1 |access-date=}}</ref>   

There are four metal sculptures located on the [[N52 road|N52]] Tullamore bypass funded under the [[Percent for Art|percentage for arts scheme]] where 1% of the budget is allocated to roadside art.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/pdfs/English-text5.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604142819/http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/pdfs/English-text5.htm |archive-date=4 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Sculptor [[Maurice Harron]] created the figures presenting symbols of learning and sanctity. The figures are located on [[esker]] ridges that the new roadway cuts through.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Arts_and_Culture/Gallery/Public_Art_/|title=Error - Offaly County Council|website=www.offaly.ie|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112165147/https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Arts_and_Culture/Gallery/Public_Art_/|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are also a number of churches in the town, including Tullamore Catholic Church, Tullamore Presbyterian Church and St. Catherine's Church of Ireland church.

[[Tullamore Town Hall]], which dates from 1786, used to be a private house known as Acres Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/14807035/tullamore-town-hall-cormac-street-kilcruttin-tullamore-offaly|title=Tullamore Town Hall, Cormac Street, Kilcruttin, Tullamore, County Offaly|publisher=National Inventory of Architectural Heritage|access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Shopping Centre Tullamore Co.Offaly - geograph.org.uk - 1365246.jpg|thumb|Bridge Centre Shopping Centre, Tullamore]]
As the county town of Offaly, many government services are located here such as the headquarters of [[Offaly County Council]], the Midlands Regional Hospital and HSE services. Government departments located in the town include the [[Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine]] and the [[Department of Education (Ireland)|Department of Education]].

Tullamore has traditionally been an important industrial, retail and services centre for County Offaly. When the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]] opened in the late 18th century, it offered increased connectivity to the town and offered an increased market for goods produced in the area. [[Tullamore Dew]], a brand of [[Irish Whiskey]] was first distilled in the town in 1829. Tullamore was connected to the national railway network in 1854 by the [[Great Southern and Western Railway]] company, now [[Iarnród Éireann]]. Tullamore is also located near the boglands of the [[Bog of Allen]]. This provided employment through the work of [[Bord na Mona]]. Agriculture is also important to the local economy.

A number of industrial estates are located in the town. For example, in Srah Industrial Estate, employers include multinationals like [[Sennheiser]], GeneMedix, [[Covidien]], Isotron and Zannini.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

=== Retail ===
The Bridge Centre, one of the main shopping areas in the town centre, opened on 12 September 1995.<ref> https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/news/655885/laois-man-celebrating-25-years-as-manager-of-offaly-shopping-centre.html</ref> It has outlets of [[Dunnes Stores]], Vero Moda, and Holland and Barrett.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stores – Bridge Centre Tullamore |url=https://www.bridgecentre.ie/stores/ |access-date=2022-08-03 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Tullamore Retail Park on the Portarlington Road also has a mix of shops including [[Tesco]], [[Heatons]], Petmania, Harry Corry and Woodie's DIY. In September 2016, [[Boots UK|Boots]] opened in the town centre.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

== Media ==

From 1975 until 24 March 2008, Tullamore was the home of [[RTÉ Radio 1]]'s principal medium-wave [[Tullamore transmitter|transmitter]], broadcasting the AM version of Radio 1 on 567&nbsp;kHz, at a power of 500&nbsp;kW. Before this, the main transmission centre had been sited near [[Athlone]]. In addition to being the headquarters of [[Midlands 103]], Tullamore is home to a number of local newspapers including ''The Tullamore'' Tribune and ''The Offaly Independent''.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Tullamore features in several books by the author [[Lyn Andrews]].{{fact|date=November 2024}}

== Demographics ==

The population of Tullamore (and its environs) rose from 10,029 in 1996<ref>{{cite web|title=Demographic context |work=Offaly County Council Development Plan 2009 – 2015 |url=http://www.offaly.ie/NR/rdonlyres/A4AD027E-87E4-4353-917B-47C75D92768F/1095/Chapter2ContextandChallenges_FEB08.pdf |access-date=28 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030030920/http://www.offaly.ie/NR/rdonlyres/A4AD027E-87E4-4353-917B-47C75D92768F/1095/Chapter2ContextandChallenges_FEB08.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://citypopulation.de/en/ireland/towns/offaly/12211__tullamore/ | website = citypopulation.de | title = Tullamore (Ireland) Agglomeration| accessdate = 17 September 2023 }}</ref> to 15,598 in 2022, an increase of over 55%.<ref name="2022census"/>

== Transport and access ==
[[File:Tullamore station (1982) - geograph.ie - 3103243.jpg|thumb|Tullamore railway station 1982]]
[[Tullamore railway station]], first opened on 2 October 1854,<ref>{{cite web | title=Tullamore station | work=Railscot – Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=7 September 2007 | archive-date=26 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> is served by trains on the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Westport/Ballina inter-city routes.

In association with the [[County Westmeath]] urban centres, [[Athlone]] and [[Mullingar]], Tullamore forms part of what is known as the [[Midlands Gateway]].

Tullamore lies on the [[N52 road (Ireland)|N52]] [[national secondary road]]. This connects to [[Birr, County Offaly|Birr]] in the southwest of the county and continues towards [[Mullingar]] which is located to the northeast. At [[Kilbeggan]] (about 12&nbsp;km north of Tullamore) the N52 forms an interchange with the [[M6 motorway (Ireland)|M6 motorway]] which connects [[Dublin]] and [[Galway]]. The [[N80 road (Ireland)|N80]] [[national secondary road]] connects Tullamore with [[Killeigh]], [[Mountmellick]] and [[Portlaoise]], travelling in a southwards direction. A number of [[Regional road (Ireland)|regional roads]] run through the town such as the [[R420 road (Ireland)|R420]] connecting Tullamore to [[Moate]], [[Clara, County Offaly|Clara]] and [[Portarlington, County Laois|Portarlington]], and the [[R421 road (Ireland)|R421]] which connects to [[Kinnitty]].

=== N52 Tullamore Bypass ===
In 2009, Tullamore was [[Bypass (road)|bypassed]] by re-routing the N52 away from the town centre. The bypass is to the east of the town,<ref name="NRA">[http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/OffalyCountyCouncil/N52TullamoreBypass/SchemeName,14490,en.html N52 Tullamore Bypass Scheme]{{dead link|date=August 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} – [http://www.nra.ie www.nra.ie]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424172538/http://www.nra.ie/ |date=24 April 2012 }}</ref> and is a {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}} single carriageway which leaves the previous N52 approximately {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Tullamore, intersecting with the [[N80 road (Ireland)|N80 road]], crossing over the [[Grand Canal of Ireland|Grand Canal]], before rejoining the original N52 {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the town. A spur was constructed from the northern section of the route to the Tullamore Western Relief Road [[R443 road (Ireland)|R443]] creating in an almost-full orbital route around Tullamore. The N80 now terminates at its junction with the N52. The scheme began construction in April 2008, and was officially opened in late 2009 by then [[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]].<ref name="bypass">{{cite web|title=Saints and Scholars Tullamore By Pass|publisher=Offaly County Council|date=2009 |url=https://www.offaly.ie/saints-and-scholars-tullamore-by-pass/|access-date=16 September 2023 }}</ref>

== Sport ==
Tullamore has a number of sporting organisations, including [[Gaelic games]], association football, [[rugby union]] and athletics clubs.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

[[Gaelic games]] are represented by [[Tullamore GAA]], Ballinamere GAA and Durrow GAA. Tullamore GAA won four senior football championships and one senior hurling championship in the early 21st century. Between football and hurling championships, Tullamore is one of the most successful clubs in the history of [[Offaly GAA]].{{fact|date=November 2024}} Ballinamere won the intermediate hurling championship in 2013, and therefore play senior hurling along with Tullamore. Durrow partakes in the senior 'B' football championship. [[O'Connor Park]] is the Offaly GAA home stadium for both the Offaly [[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] teams. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 following an upgrade in 2006. The ground consists of a covered stand on one side of the pitch, with terracing on the other three. A stand was built in 1991 but replaced by the current structure in 2006. It seats 7,000 people and also includes a press box and a special section for wheelchair users.

[[Association football]] (soccer) is represented by [[Tullamore Town F.C.]] This club was founded in 1941 and have teams in the [[Leinster Senior League (association football)|Leinster Senior League]], Combined Counties League (2nd team Women's and Youths) and the Midland Schoolboys League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/ |title=Home |website=www.tullamoretownfc.com |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928112518/http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/ |archive-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tullamore Rugby Club was founded in 1937 and is based in [[Spollenstown]]. The Tullamore 1sts team was successful in 2012 as [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|Ulster Bank All Ireland]] Jnr Cup Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tullamorerugby.com/default.aspx |title=Tullamore Rugby Club, Offaly, Ireland |access-date=2012-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504072615/http://www.tullamorerugby.com/default.aspx |archive-date= 4 May 2013 }}</ref>

Tullamore Harriers caters for athletics in the town, and was founded in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tullamoreharriers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=54 |title=Tullamore Harriers |publisher=Tullamore Harriers |access-date=2019-11-12 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924174007/http://tullamoreharriers.com/?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=54 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other leisure facilities include the Aura Leisure Centre Tullamore, located on Hophill Road, which has a full gym suite and a 25-metre swimming pool.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Tullamore Golf Club has been situated at Brookfield since 1926 and has an 18-hole championship parkland golf course. It was rated among the top 25 parkland courses in Ireland in ''Backspin''<nowiki/>'s 2014 Irish [[Golf]] Course Rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tullamoregolfclub.ie/?q=node/137|title=About Us {{!}} Tullamore Golf Club|website=www.tullamoregolfclub.ie|access-date=2016-12-01|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619174541/http://www.tullamoregolfclub.ie/?q=node%2F137|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2022}}
Tullamore has several primary schools. There are several Catholic schools, a Church of Ireland school, a Gaelscoil and an Educate Together school. There are three secondary schools in the town; Tullamore College, a coeducational, multidenominational vocational school, the Sacred Heart School, a Catholic all-girls school and Coláiste Choilm, a Catholic all-boys school.

== People ==
{{See also|Category:People from Tullamore, County Offaly}}
Notable current and former residents of Tullamore include:
* [[Conor Brady]], former editor of ''The Irish Times''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rte.ie/radio1/sunday-with-miriam/programmes/2016/0117/760718-sunday-with-miriam-sunday-17-january-2016/ | publisher = RTÉ | website = rte.ie | title = Sunday with Miriam - Conor Brady | date = 17 January 2016 | access-date = 7 June 2020 | archive-date = 7 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200607172730/https://www.rte.ie/radio1/sunday-with-miriam/programmes/2016/0117/760718-sunday-with-miriam-sunday-17-january-2016/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Pat Burke]], the first Irish-born player to play basketball in the NBA.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}
* [[Yvonne Farrell]] (born 1951), architect<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2020/03/12/tullamore-native-awarded-highest-honour-in-world-of-architecture/ | publisher = Offaly Independent | website = offalyindependent.ie | title = Tullamore native awarded highest honour in world of architecture | date = 12 March 2020 | access-date = 7 June 2020 | archive-date = 7 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200607172719/https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2020/03/12/tullamore-native-awarded-highest-honour-in-world-of-architecture/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Gerald Gardner (mathematician)|Gerald Gardner]] (1922–2009), [[geophysics|geophysicist]] and social activist whose statistical analysis led to the banning of [[classified advertising]] segregated by gender in a 1973 ruling by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|US Supreme Court]]<ref>Weber, Bruce. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/us/29gardner.html "Gerald Gardner, 83, Dies; Bolstered Sex Bias Suit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328141853/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/us/29gardner.html |date=28 March 2019 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 28 July 2009. Accessed 29 July 2009</ref>
*[[Michael Kelly (missionary)|Michael Kelly]] (1929-2021), Jesuit missionary active in the fight against AIDS in [[Zambia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jcfj.ie/2020/04/24/the-covid-19-poverty-tsunami/|title=The Covid-19 Poverty Tsunami|date=April 24, 2020|website=Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland|access-date=18 July 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718230329/https://www.jcfj.ie/2020/04/24/the-covid-19-poverty-tsunami/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jesuitmissions.ie/news/160-tribute|title=Tribute to Michael J. Kelly SJ|website=www.jesuitmissions.ie|access-date=18 July 2020|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719024520/https://www.jesuitmissions.ie/news/160-tribute|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fa5kaJcu2IAC&q=%22michael+j+kelly%22|title=Education and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean|first1=Michael J.|last1=Kelly|first2=Brendan|last2=Bain|date=July 18, 2005|publisher=Ian Randle Publishers|isbn=9789766371807|via=Google Books|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924174002/https://books.google.com/books?id=fa5kaJcu2IAC&q=%22michael+j+kelly%22|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Alfie Lambe]] (1932–1959), missionary and founder of [[Legion of Mary]] in [[South America]]<ref name = LoM>{{cite web | url = http://www.legionofmary.ie/causes/profile/alfie-lambe | title = Servant of God Alfie Lambe | accessdate = 29 March 2020 | publisher = Legion of Mary}}</ref>
* [[Dónal Lunny]] (born 1947), traditional Irish musician and performer<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/moving-on-1.87578 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Moving On | date = 19 September 1996 | access-date = 7 June 2020 | archive-date = 24 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210924174004/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/moving-on-1.87578 | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[James Nolan (athlete)|James Nolan]] (born 1977), middle-distance athlete, silver medallist at the 2000 European Indoor Championships<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2021/07/15/tullamore-coach-leads-irish-athletes-to-fourth-paralympic-games/| website = offalyindependent.ie | title = Tullamore coach leads Irish athletes to fourth Paralympic Games | date = 15 July 2021 | accessdate = 14 October 2021 }}</ref>
* [[Sister Genevieve O'Farrell]] (1923–2001), Irish educator and college principal<ref>{{Cite news|last=McHardy|first=Anne|date=January 9, 2002|title=Sister Genevieve O'Farrell: Resolute head whose dreams of educational excellence surmounted Belfast violence|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/jan/09/guardianobituaries.schools}}</ref>
* [[Tom Scully (football manager)|Tom Scully]] (1930–2020), priest and manager of the county football team<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/gaelic-football/gaelic-football-news/father-tom-scully-rip-coronavirus-21831024|title=Former Offaly football manager Fr Tom Scully dies after contracting coronavirus|work=Irish Mirror|first=Pat|last=Nolan|date=7 April 2020|access-date=9 April 2020|archive-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409020832/https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/gaelic-football/gaelic-football-news/father-tom-scully-rip-coronavirus-21831024|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Hugh Lynch's Pub Kilbride Street Tullamore Co Offaly.jpg|Hugh Lynchs Pub
File:Tullamore Court Hotel, March 2011 (02).JPG|Tullamore Court Hotel
File:Grand Canal at Bury Quai Tullamore Co. Offaly - geograph.org.uk - 1365144.jpg|Grand Canal
File:Collumcillie Street Tullamore Co.Offaly - geograph.org.uk - 1365228.jpg|Columcille Street
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]
* [[Market Houses in the Republic of Ireland|Market Houses in Ireland]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Tullamore}}
{{wikivoyage|Tullamore}}
* [http://www.tullamore.org/ Tullamore]
* [http://www.tullamorechamber.com/ Tullamore Chamber]
* [http://www.tullamoreshow.com/ Tullamore Show]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040623231957/http://www.irish-architecture.com/buildings_ireland/offaly/tullamore/index.html Architecture of Tullamore]

{{County Offaly}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tullamore, County Offaly| ]]
[[Category:County towns in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Offaly]]
[[Category:Former urban districts in the Republic of Ireland]]