Strokestown Democrat printing press returns to its original home

There was a timely ‘good news’ story in Strokestown this past week. As the town looks to the future with the ongoing Realm project, locals received a beautiful reminder of the past with the return of the Strokestown Democrat printing press to its original home.

Readers may be aware of the recent revival of the Democrat newspaper which did not survive, but this printing press goes back to original Strokestown Democrat founded in 1907 by the Morahan brothers, Paddy and Owen, from the townland of Cloonmane, on the Roscommon side of Carrick-on-Shannon.

It carried as its motto, in Latin, ‘Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit’, which translates as ‘Truth is great and it shall prevail’. The first edition was published, or was hand cranked off a cylinder, in March 1907, but unfortunately, the earliest surviving editions only go back as far as 1913. The last edition was published on May 15th, 1948.

As well as the newspaper, the brothers also printed posters, docket books, receipt forms, ball and business cards, raffle and concert tickets, labels, programmes, billboards and memorial cards. One of their most famous productions was the ‘West’s Awake’ Count Plunkett 1917 ‘Election of the Snows’ Bye-election poster.

The paper covered events of national significance, was outspoken against conscription during WW1, and strongly in favour of Irish independence. Paddy died in June 1919 after a short illness, at the age of 43. Owen continued on with the help of his two sons, Paddy and Tom and later with that of his daughter, Nell. The family paid a heavy price for their nationalist stance, members being harassed and arrested regularly, but this did not deter them. Owen died in August 1944, and his children carried on the business.

For various reasons such as emigration, the rise in popularity of provincial papers and update costs, the Morahans decided to drop the newspaper in 1948 and concentrate on the commercial printing end of the business. This proved very successful and they produced spectacular posters while maintaining accuracy and essential information.

Paddy died in 1974, followed by Tom two years later, both men still in their fifties. Nell thrived in her role as Strokestown Notes correspondent for the Roscommon Herald for many years. She passed away in August 2011, the last link with this historic publication. (Thanks to Mike Lennon for the information on the Democrat).

Unbeknownst to her in her lifetime, however, she would play a major role in the return of the Democrat printing press to her native town. Nell had been a school friend of Brigid Kavanagh (née Shiel), in the 1930s, and kept up the friendship in later years. Whilst on a ramble to Nell with her son, Declan, Nell mentioned that the printing press had made its way to Bunratty Folk Museum in County Clare in the 1980s.

When a few people got together in 2025 to form a community heritage group in Strokestown, Declan recalled the conversation with Nell, and thought it would be fitting to get the press back to its original home. After months of phone calls and emails, Dolores Broderick from Bunratty Museum informed him that the press was in storage in Smithstown, near Shannon, and that they were happy to ‘repatriate’ it to Strokestown.

So it happened that on Thursday, March 12th, three people headed off from the town at 7.30 in the morning, on a mission to bring the Democrat home. They travelled in a lorry owned by Pat Brogan Tractors, who sponsored the trip and to whom the community group is extremely grateful. Thanks also to our driver, Michael Martin, who also loaded the press onto the lorry. Declan Kavanagh and Rory Doyle accompanied Michael, and they were met at Smithstown by Dolores, Adrian and by forklift driver, James, from Flann O’Neill Hardware. It was a great team effort, and the press triumphantly made its way into Pat Brogan’s yard at about 3.30pm, all six tonnes and about 50 sections of it.

Pat has kindly agreed to store the press on his premises temporarily, so, obviously, a new more permanent home is required where people can view and enjoy the works. The press had been housed in the Morahan premises in Bridge Street, but as this house was demolished in 1989, the community heritage group would appreciate hearing from any individual or company willing to put the press on display in the town.

Because of its historic and cultural significance, the Community Heritage Group feels that the Democrat printing press will be of huge benefit in attracting more visitors to the area. Work on restoration of this Albion Iron press, probably manufactured in the 1830 to 1850 period, and invented by RW Cope, will hopefully begin shortly.

Any interested parties are urged to contact Declan at 087 2484530 or Rory at 086 1024320.