L-R Michael O’Halloran, Dr Des Marnane, Mrs Lena O’Halloran, Michael O’Halloran, Anne Marie O’Halloran, Margaret O’Halloran and Pat O’Halloran.
A booklet relating to the history of Economic Development in Tipperary town has been launched and dedicated to the memory of the late Tom O’Halloran who died in April last year.
The booklet is titled Aspects of Industrial Development in Twentieth Century Tipperary town and Dr Des Marnane is the author. It’s a story involving interplay between government departments, domestic and foreign businesses and local initiatives. The writer traces how the Free State government demonstrated that they owed nothing to such a Republican area. Foreign investment from both Switzerland and Germany was blocked as was more local investment. In the 1930s a previously established gloving industry was renewed and a lino factory was established, endeavours that owed everything to local efforts and Fr John Hayes. The bleakness of the 1940s and ‘50s are discussed with emigration the only solution offered by successive governments. In the last decades of the century, there was some foreign investment with Tambrands and Atari setting up in the town.
Mr Marnane and Mr O’Halloran were lifelong friends from childhood and both pursued similar careers as teachers in St Anne’s and the Abbey School respectively. Mr O’Halloran was a very successful entrepreneur and his wife Lena and extended family members were in attendance for the launch event at the Excel Centre as Cllr John Crosse, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District council launched the booklet.
The booklet was funded by the Tipperary town RevitalisationTaskforce – itself working on the revitalisation of Tipperary town in the 21st century.
The proceeds of the book will be shared between St Vincent’s Day Care Centre Tipperary town and the Community Services Centre on St Michael’s street Tipperary town. The booklet can be purchased at Fitzpatrick’s Printers on Davis street and also at the Excel Centre on Mitchell Street.
