Tributes paid to well-known Limerick historian following his passing

“THE BOOKS you could not find in all the libraries here are now available to you up above. You deserve your reward.”

One of many heartfelt tributes paid to well-loved Limerick historian Joseph Lennon who has sadly passed away.

Joseph, or Joe as friends knew him, hailed from Caherconlish, but he had lately lived at Shannon Arms complex in Henry Street in the city centre.

He died peacefully in Milford Care Centre, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was in the midst of writing what University of Galway’s history faculty described as a “groundbreaking” thesis on Munster in the 17th Century.

A well-respected academic, Joe had also traced the history of Limerick’s own King John Castle - and the origins of that eponymous name.

A graduate of the former Limerick Institute of Technology, and University of Limerick, for the last decade, Joe has been compiling a comprehensive archive of images documenting the castles and tower houses of Limerick.

He could often be found perusing the local studies archives in Limerick City Library.

Executive librarian Mike Maguire recalled through an online tribute how Joe would be “always challenging me to unearth the most obscure of history texts! We became good friends over the years.”

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“A fine historian and a good friend,” was how the curator of the Limerick Museum remembered Joe.

Another person said he was “always with a great sense of trend and fashion and immaculately dressed.”

Tributes also came from TD Kieran O’Donnell and councillor Elisa O’Donovan among others.

Joe is survived by his partner Daiva, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends and neighbours.

He is predeceased by his parents Eileen, Jimmy, and brother Patrick.

His funeral took place in Caherconlish last week.