Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1826, 1841, 1844, 1849-1850, 1857, 1862-1863 and 1877 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
13 items
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Timothy Looney, a native of Cahir, county Tipperary, was born in 1914. A well-known local historian, he could regularly be found exploring local castles, churches, graveyards and sites of archaeological interest. He was known to challenge established beliefs and traditions and to use the evidence of cross-disciplinary elements such as documents and landscapes to offer alternative interpretations. His house on Pearse Street, a treasure trove of maps, books, documents and photographs, was a popular port of call for genealogists tracing their ancestors and for scholars researching historical topics. Looney’s collecting activities culminated in a remarkable salvage operation to recover papers from Shanbally Castle, county Tipperary prior to its destruction by a controlled explosion in March 1960.
In addition to his historical pursuits, Looney was an active member of his local community. He had a lifelong interest in the GAA, and was influential in the development of Gaelic games in Cahir. He was a tireless charity worker and fundraiser. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he organised volunteers to travel around the country to collect money for the Central Remedial Clinic, known as the Little Willie Fund, to aid the plight of polio victims. A supporter of the trade union movement, he was also active in the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. He had a great fondness for Cahir, and campaigned prominently to save its historical railway station. Timothy Looney died in his native town in 1990.
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Scope and content
Letters from assorted correspondents, as follows: Edward M. Taylor discussing his financial difficulties, the general election, and the poor state of his mother’s health; Joseph Thompson relating to a sale of wool; Cornelius Kelleher of Knockdrislagh seeking a receipt of a year’s rent paid; John Bell concerning payments made to him for works at Shanbally Castle; Rowland Bourke enclosing his accounts (now not present); Keady Bourke stating that he will not redeem Banteer and requesting the return of his money; Jeremiah Lane of Gurteenbeha relating to the quarrying of stone, stripping of bark, and the sale of a horse; Richard Tooker seeking to take a lease of Viscount Lismore’s shooting rights on his mountain near Banteer; J. V. Carpenter complaining about the conduct of quarrymen at a quarry in Gortmore; and John Turner relating to a dispute over a passage leading to his place through his neighbour’s field. Also a petition signed by Viscount Lismore’s tenants on the lands of Feohanagh, county Limerick, enclosing a memorial (now not present) to be forwarded to Viscount Lismore. Also one undated note [by Taylor?] ordering receipt stamps from Dublin.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Language of material
- Béarla