Tuam JOTS to be launched tonight

WHAT is now an annual event in Tuam’s pre-Christmas calendar takes place tonight Friday, November 18 when the Journal of the Old Tuam Society (JOTS) will be launched at the Corralea Court Hotel.
This year’s 13th edition, while reflecting on the current centenary commemorations, offers a rich selection of articles of local interest, with something for everyone. Pride of place goes to a series of reflections on three of the town’s citizens, all of whom celebrated their 100th birthdays this year.
Amongst other items of interest are an Eastern European gravestone on the Dublin Road, a previously unknown Tuam language, a busted bank, a lost Caravaggio, and some scary memories of a First Confession.
A Dutch contributor tells us of a local war hero who evaded identification for over 70 years, but has been honoured annually by her community in the Netherlands throughout all that time.
There is a plethora of other stories, photos and mementos too: of the breweries of Shop Street, Connolly’s Forge, publicans’ outings, commemorations, fighting at the Tullindaly Fair, the Shee family of Dunmore and a North Galway combatant in the Easter Rising.
The journal will be officially launched by the celebrated Galway historian Dr. Joseph Mannion at 8 pm.