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Abbeyleix Heritage House
Abbeyleix Heritage House is Laois' biggest history museum, community centre and business hub.
Photographed is a National Health Insurance Booklet that belonged to Edward R. Morrissey for the year 1920. National Insurance was introduced by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George in 1911, and as all of Ireland was still under British rule at this time, Irish people also would have had these insurance books too. ![]()
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If you were sick and unable to work, one could claim some assistance that they paid contributions into, marked by stamps! ![]()
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TRIVIA THURSDAY![]()
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This week's quiz is Sporting History. Give it a go through the link, or over on our Instagram stories @ abbeyleixheritagehouse!![]()
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Abbeyleix’s connection to the electron:![]()
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Did you know that the electron was named by a man called George Johnstone Stoney, who was a relative to an Abbeyleix doctor? Hugh Baker Stoney was born in Birr, Offaly c. 1845 (then referred to as Parsonstown, King’s County) into an affluent Anglo-Irish family. He came from a family of doctors and scientists, and was born to parents Robert Johnstone Stoney, a solicitor, and Anne Smithwick. Hugh Baker Stoney attended the King and Queen’s College of Physicians (now the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland), and he became an admitted licentiate in medicine in November 1869. Stoney was qualified in midwifery, as a surgeon, and as a physician. He became the medical officer of Abbeyleix dispensary, the Union infirmary and the Abbeyleix Fever hospital. He moved to Durrow, and married Mary Anne Blood, a distant relative, in Dublin in 1871. Mary Anne was the daughter of Bindon Blood. Bindon Blood was also part of the Protestant Ascendancy, and he was a large landlord, a magistrate, and eventual Deputy Lieutenant of co. Clare. The couple then lived in the Heath, Abbeyleix, and had children Maria Frances (1872-1945), Margaret Eleanor (1874-1942), Mary Hilda (1875-1959), George Bindon (1877-1930), Janet Constance (1878-1923), and Anne Florence (1881-1960). It seems as if Mary Anne was also a doctor, as on the 1901 census both Hugh and Mary Anne are listed as medical practitioners.![]()
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The family lived at the Heath, Abbeyleix. It is said that throughout his medical career in Abbeyleix that Stoney did not take a day off in 30 years. However, Stoney did fall ill in 1900, and Dr Davidson of Ballinakill and Dr . McDonald took over his roles in the Abbeyleix Dispensary and Workhouse in his absence. Stoney’s wife Mary Anne would soon also fall ill, and would pass away in 1906. However, Stoney continued living and working in Abbeyleix, retiring around 1923 after 50 years of working here. He died in 1928. ![]()
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Stoney was a nephew of the man who named the electron George Johnstone Stoney. George Johnstone Stoney was born in Birr in 1792 at Oakley Park House, Birr, the older brother of Hugh Stoney’s father Robert. His parents were James Johnston Stoney and Anne Blood (relative to Mary Anne Blood). George married his brother Robert's daughter Margaret Sophia Stoney (his niece!) in 1863, when she was just 19 years old, while he was 36. George attended Trinity College, and worked as an astronomy assistant to the 3rd Earl of Rosse, William Parsons (interestingly, Parsons’ grandson would marry Frances Lyster Kaye, who would go on to be Ivo De Vesci, 5th Viscount of Abbeyleix’s wife). George Stoney then became a professor of physics, obtaining a masters in physics and mathematics from Trinity. He continued to work in universities such as Galway, and began focusing on molecular physics. He wrote 75 scientific journals, and in 1891 he proposed the term ‘electron’ for ‘fundamental unit of electrical charge.’ ![]()
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Stoney’s contributions to physics led to further research in molecular physics and helped to create a clearer understanding of atomic charges. Many of his children would also follow in his footsteps, including his daughter Dr Florence Stoney (1870-1932), who contributed to developments in radiology, and was the first female radiologist in the UK. His daughter Dr Edith Stoney would specialise in radiology, while his son Dr. Robert Bindon Stoney would also join the medical profession. ![]()
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Photograph: George Johnstone Stoney with his daughters Dr. Edith and Dr. Florence Stoney, from an article by Dr. Heather Williams, sciencegrrl.co.uk/edith-stoney/ (Newnham College Cambridge Archives original source for photograph). ![]()
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Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Royal College of Physicians Ireland Registers, 1667-1920; Reference: RCPI/5/2/1/3 ![]()
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Wellcome Trust; London, England; The Medical Directory, 1905; Reference: B21330724_i13765759![]()
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Stoney, G. J. (1894). "Of the "Electron", or Atom of Electricity". Philosophical Magazine. Series 5. 38: 418–420.![]()
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Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Kirkpatrick Index of Biographical files; Reference: Box 7![]()
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Pictured is a harmonium, which has recently become a new addition to our museum. ![]()
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This harmonium belonged to the Brigidine Convent, and was in the Brigidine Convent in Paulstown, Kilkenny. It was made c. 1865, and was manufactured by Cesarini & Cie. in Paris, France. Harmoniums were created in France by a man named Alexandre Debain c. 1840.![]()
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A harmonium, otherwise known as a reed organ, is similar to the classic organ. There are two types of harmoniums- hand pump, or foot pump. This particular harmonium is a foot pump, with the two foot pedals at the centre. The player alternates pressing down on the pedals one at a time, while simultaneously playing the keys. The foot pedals are attached to a bellows, which then sends air to reeds inside the harmonium. The air blowing through the reeds creates the sounds, and the reeds are tuned differently to create different notes. There are many different stops on this harmonium, which can be seen above the keyboard. The small circular plate with ‘Cesarini & Cie, Rue de Richeliu' on it was actually moved from its original position on the harmonium (horizontal to the keyboard) to its current position facing outwards. The reasoning behind this is unknown. This harmonium was kindly donated by Pat Lalor. ![]()
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TRIVIA THURSDAY![]()
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Today's quiz is Inventors and Inventions! How much do you know about the world's greatest inventors and inventions of the past?![]()
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How much do you know about the world's past inventors and inventions?
