Two historians from Co. Offaly have joined forces to release a new illustrated book delving into the origins of the commonly used phrase 'That Beats Banagher'.

The collaborative effort comes from Kieran Keenaghan, a retired business man and engineer residing in Banagher, and James Scully, a retired primary school teacher living in Clonfert and Meelick.

The book, created and printed by Brosna Press in Ferbane, delves into the history behind the Banagher phrase, believed to have originated around 1787, and how it has evolved into a humorous expression of amazement used nationwide.

The story traces back to when the borough of Banagher, a separate political entity from the town, was sold for £10,500, equivalent to approximately €2 million today.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Irish Parliament had representatives from boroughs with the power to elect two members. In the case of Banagher, landowner Alexander Stewart from Co. Tyrone held this position.

Stewart eventually exchanged the Banagher borough for one closer to his home, leaving Banagher under the control of a Co. Kildare resident.

While unfair dealings were common in Ireland during that era, the book focuses on the specific impact on Banagher and its residents.

The idea for the book emerged when the authors discovered historical minutes from the Banagher borough meetings, which notably lacked discussions on local issues or housing.

James Scully shared, “We began to question whether these meetings actually took place in Banagher, but it is likely that despite the non-local attendees, the area was visited.”

The book is set to launch on Friday, June 27 at 5:30pm in the Crank House on Lower Main Street, Banagher. The event will be hosted by sports historian and commentator Paul Rouse, and the authors invite all interested individuals to attend and show their support.