For one day in 1903, a sporting event took place in Ireland which not only profoundly altered the future of that sport worldwide, but also had a lasting impact on both Irish sport and society. The race was the International Gordon Bennett Cup race, carried out on newly repaired, and sometimes rolled, roads of Carlow, Laois and Kildare.
In a country still discovering the motorcar, people remembered how noisy they were, how exciting they were, and how it would change so many people’s lives. It certainly changed the perception of how racing should be run, at a time when all of Europe was about to ban it altogether as being too dangerous, not just to the drivers, but to the spectators as well. The Irish Gordon Bennett Cup Race changed all that.
Made with the support from the the Heritage Council and the Heritage offices of Laois, Carlow and Kildare County Councils, this is the story, in two parts, of how the race came to be in Ireland, and why the eyes of the racing world were turned to Ireland for this one event, this momentous but largely forgotten race that, still today, is thought to be the largest outdoor sporting event in Irish history
How Ireland saved Motorsport Part One
1903 Gordon Bennett Trophy. René de Knyff, driving his Panhard to second place, passes Alexander Winton repairing the Winton Bullet 2 on the first lap. Printed and published in 1903 by Hely’s Ltd, Dame Street, Dublin. Photographer and current owner of copyright are lost to history. Image is currently displayed at Ask About Ireland
Age Friendly Laois launched a new initiative on Tuesday the 22nd November 2022. It is the I.C.E.
( In Case of Emergency) card . Designed to be carried on the person, in a wallet or purse, the card was conceived as an aid to first responders, in identifying a person and having access to vital information. It is particularly important if a person is non-responsive.
The card’s primary function is to provide valuable information to first responders such as:
Name, Eircode, who to contact in case of an emergency, allergies, blood type and medication. These details are to be filled in by the holder of the card and kept on the person.
The input of first responders ie the Gardai, the HSE, and the Fire service was sought as to what was the most important information to have in case of an emergency.
The secondary function of the card is to contain some useful contact numbers, such as Emergency Services, ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland.
The third function of the I.C.E. card is to direct users of the card to a Community Information App “ LocalHub”. Age Friendly Laois have a feed within this App, in which information regarding events, crime prevention advice & articles of interest are shared. The App is divided into various service categories/geographical areas of Laois, for ease of use.
Councillor Barry Walsh, on behalf of Cathaoirleach Councillor Thomasina Connell noted the importance of having this card and praised any initiative that could save precious time in the event of any emergency. He also saw the value in a Community information app for the county, as a way of getting localised information.
At the launch , first responders had the following to say about the I.C.E. Card Initiative-
Sergeant Graham Kavanagh, An Garda Síochána, said in supporting the initiative, that “in all circumstances, Gardaí like all first Responders have a duty to preserve life and property. Unfortunately we all attend to situations where we find people gravely ill. Sometimes the individual is not able to communicate. The ICE card means that we have access to information to us as first responders and also to further services as required”.
Mr Declan Power, Chief Fire Officer, Laois County Fire & Rescue Service complimented the initiative saying that “The ICE card , along with your Eircode, are the two most important pieces of information to have in the event of an emergency & you or your loved ones needing assistance.”
Civil Defence Officer with Laois County Council, Mr Damien Dollard, welcomed the initiative and said “When attending someone who requires medical assistance first responders and ambulance crews rely on a patient’s medical history such as medical conditions, allergies and a list of what medications someone is prescribed. Having this information easily to hand along with Eircode and who to contact in case of emergency will greatly assist first responders providing medical support to a patient. “
The cards are available from Age Friendly Laois and are also being distributed through Laois County Council’s Library Service , Laois Sports Partnership, Laois & Offaly Education & Training board, An Garda Síochána & Laois & Offaly Local Link, all of whom are members of the Laois Age Friendly Alliance.
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For more information and to request ICE cards for your group or to find out more about Age Friendly Laois, contact Tom Curran on 05786 64150/ 086 0363426 or tcurran@laoiscoco.ie
More information on Age Friendly Laois is available on our website..https://laois.ie/departments/community/promoting-social-inclusion/#2
To download the Local Hub app scan this QR code , visit https://localhubireland.ie/ . Find Age Friendly Laois information on the app and for live notifications, hit subscribe!
This Laois County Council promotional booklet gives you an insight into the work carried out by Laois County Council. This booklet shows the many different services and projects that Laois County Council provides with the help of your Local Property Tax, Rates and other income streams.
The work and achievements of Laois County Council are enhanced by working in partnership with a range of stakeholders and communities. Enjoy the read.
On 16 November 2022, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, announced increased funding for both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund in 2023. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023 has been allocated €4.5m, up 12.5% on 2022. The Historic Structures Fund 2023 has also been allocated €4.5m, also up 12.5% on 2022
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund will support owners and custodians of protected structures in every local authority area across the country. Together, the schemes will assist hundreds of small-scale, labour-intensive projects as well as larger-scale projects to repair and conserve our historic built environment. These projects will also give significant support to local jobs in conservation and traditional skills.
The funding announced by Minister Noonan includes a total of €4.5 million for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, and €4.5 million for the Historic Structures Fund.
The 2023 Historic Structures Fund will include two streams first introduced in 2021: one for vernacular structures and another for historic shopfronts.
The vernacular stream will provide total funding of €150,000 for conservation repairs and small capital works to eligible vernacular structures – structures built through traditional local methods (see note below) – that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected.
The shopfront stream, which runs in conjunction with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, includes shared funding of €50,000 for the conservation of shopfronts in the Irish language.
The 2023 Built Heritage Investment Scheme will include ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to eligible historic thatched structures to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs.
Applications are now open and will run until 24 January 2023. Details of the schemes and how to apply are available on all local authority websites and the Department’s website.
The 2023 Community Monuments Fund has been launched by Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform.
€6 million will be invested in next year’s Community Monuments Fund helping owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.
The Community Monuments Fund was first established as part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus with an investment of €1.15 million supporting 71 projects. This significant increase in funding for the scheme reflects the positive impact of the Fund over the last 3 years. It is estimated that the funding for 2023 will support approximately 120 projects nationwide.
The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Funding is available to allow conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The aim is to encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation and also build their resilience to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change. The fund supports essential repairs and capital conservation and access works at archaeological monuments and also the development of Conservation Management Plans to identify any measures that may be needed to conserve monuments. Grants are also available to enhance public access infrastructure and interpretation at archaeological monuments.
Visiting the Community Monuments Fund supported conservation works at Dysart Enos Church Ratheniska, with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service, October 2022. Pictured with community members Liam Wall, James Deegan and Jane Wall are Conservation Architect Ricard McLoughlin, Chris Corlett and Archaeologist Colm Flynn. Stone work by Damien Condon, Calx Conservation.
Speaking today, Minister Noonan said:
“I am delighted to announce a €6 million Community Monuments Fund for 2023. With the excellent collaborative partnership between Local Authorities and our National Monuments Service, the 2022 Fund produced an extraordinary level of community engagement, traditional skills opportunities, and protection of our heritage. We are very pleased that we are able to grow this support in 2023 to support over 120 projects. The grant assistance to local authorities, private owners and communities in the maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites in private ownership is an acknowledgement of the important role of our heritage and of those who work so tirelessly to care for it.”
Minister Noonan added:
“We must do what we can to support the protection of our vulnerable archaeological heritage, to celebrate it and make it accessible to all. In doing so, we deliver clearly on commitments under our new national heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030. I would like to thank all of those communities and Local Authorities for their continued interest in the protection of archaeological monuments across the country. This investment will help to ensure that our archaeological heritage continues to enrich all of our lives.”
Finished conservation works at Rahin Church Ballylinan, supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured are (L-R) Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Colm Flynn Archaeologist, Aoife Howard, David Kelly Partnership Engineers, Jethro Sheen, Sheenstone stone masons.
The community monuments fund is managed in Laois by Laois County Council. The closing date for applications for the 2023 round of grants is 14 February 2023. Full details and application forms here.
Previous projects funded by the Community Monuments Fund in Laois include:
Conservation of Rahin Church, Ballylinan
Conservation of Dysart Enos Church
Conservation Plan for Ballyadams Castle
Conservation Plan for Clonreher Castle
Research into the archaeological landscape of the Great Heath
Site visit to Baunaghra Medieval Church, conservation plan supported by the Community Monuments Fund 2022. Pictured (l-r) Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer, Laois County Council, Chris Corlett National Monuments Service, Fintan Dunne Conservation Architect and Seamus Costigan, Landowner, Behind the camera – Colm Flynn Archaeologist
A major new publication on the Rock of Dunamase “THE HIGH FORTRESS: A Guide to the Rock of Dunamase” will be launched on Wednesday 23rd November at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise.
The book – an initiative of Laois County Council with the support of the Heritage Council – is published by Wordwell Books, edited by Peigín Doyle, with contributions from archaeologists Brian Hodkinson and Dr Sharon Greene, early medieval historian Dr Matthew Stout and geologist and ecologist Dr John Feehan.
Archaeologist Stephen Mandal from the Irish Heritage School leading a field trip at the Rock of Dunamase looking at the geology, landscape, archaeology and history as part of Know Your Locality. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Thomasina Connell said “As Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council I am proud to be associated with this wonderful book on the Rock of Dunamase. It will be a must-read for anyone exploring this fortified crag or learning about the history of Laois. The book is the result of a collaborative process between the Laois Heritage Forum and the Authors, under the expert guidance of Wordwell Books. I’d like to thank all involved and congratulate all the contributing authors and the editor on a truly ground-breaking publication. The continued involvement of the Heritage Council in supporting and developing all aspects of the heritage of Laois must be especially acknowledged.”
While we may not know for sure who actually built, and who later destroyed, the fortifications on Dunamase, the fortress has been a striking presence, a landmark in the skyline of South County Laois since the ninth century. In this beautifully illustrated book with over one hundred vibrant images and reconstruction drawings, The High Fortress: A Guide to the Rock of Dunamase, sees experts sift the evidence to tell the story of Dunamase and its surrounding territory from prehistoric times to the eighteenth century, in a clear, accessible way.
Some of the critical tides in Irish history have ebbed and flowed around the sheer, limestone Rock of Dunamase. The ruins of an Anglo-Norman fortress built over an Early Christian Irish dún, it was fought over, occupied, fortified, reinforced, seized, abandoned, and blown up. Today, silhouetted against the Laois skyline, the stark grandeur of the ruined fastness of Dunamase has the power still to stir our imaginations.
Plundered by Viking raiders in 843AD, it became the dowry of Aoife, the bartered daughter of Diarmait Mac Murchada, when she married Richard De Clare, Strongbow, as the price for the Anglo-Norman invader restoring Diarmait as king of Leinster.
Fortified by a murder hole, arrow slits, portcullis, drawbridge and high protecting walls, the struggles between Gaelic Irish versus invading forces played out around the fortress of Dunamase for centuries. Weapons and armour, buckles and spurs, gaming pieces and arrowheads, Gaelic metalwork and medieval coins, all unearthed in excavations, bear witness to its role as a focal point for critical events in Irish history.
The book will be for sale in local bookshops and at wordwellbooks.com. The launch starts at 7.15pm on Wednesday 23rd November at the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise, and all are welcome.
About the authors
Edited by Peigin Doyle, author and journalist whose specialist areas are history, heritage, and archaeology. Contributors include Dr John Feehan, author of Laois, an Environmental History and The Geology of Laois and Offaly;Dr Sharon Greene, research archaeologist and the editor of Archaeology Ireland magazine; Dr Matthew Stout, author of Early Medieval Ireland 431–1169 and archaeologist Brian Hodkinson who has directed key Irish excavations such as the Rock of Cashel, Nenagh Castle and on Dunamase itself.
About the book
THE HIGH FORTRESS: A Guide to the Rock of Dunamase Edited by Peigin Doyle
Published by Wordwell (November 2022)
Funded by the Heritage Council and Laois County Council. An action of the Laois Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2021-2025
100pp, paperback. Lavishly illustrated with full colour images and reconstruction drawings.
Laois Taste is hosting an event in the Pantry Café and Walled Garden on Sunday 6th November to celebrate Laois Food & Drink. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to find out more about Laois Taste and meet some of the Laois Food and Drink producers. The menu is being especially designed for the day to showcase Laois food & drink products. The Pantry Café and Walled Garden is currently the only café in Laois which is a member of the Laois Taste provenance scheme. So why not enjoy your brunch/lunch on Sunday and support Laois Taste. #laoistaste#lovelaois#supportlocal
Calling all Cafes, Restaurants, Hotels, & Food & Drink Retailers.
Do you wish to support Local food & drink producer’s in Laois? If so, why not avail of this fantastic opportunity to benefit from the growing trends of consumers looking for and spending more on locally sourced food and which could benefit your business by:
– Increased visitor spend
– Attract new customers who are interested in where their food is produced
– Increased customer satisfaction
– Raise the profile of your business
– Benefit the local economy
For further information click here or call Laois County Council Business Support Unit on 0578664000 or email businesssupport@laoiscoco.ie
If you are having works done to your house or rubbish taken away, please ensure that you are using a registered collector and that they have a valid permit.
It is illegal to give your waste to someone who does not have a permit and you may be liable for a fine and / or court appearance.
Unfortunately in some cases items taken from households are being dumped illegally around the County and not being disposed off in the correct manner.
If you have any information in relation to Illegal Waste Collectors or illegal dumping please feel free to report it on our Freephone CONFIDENTIAL Litter Hotline 1800 32 32 30
Laois’s first ever Digital First Day will take place on November 16th and all are invited to drop into BloomHQ to learn how technology and upskilling in digital know-how can help improve lives, business and communities across the county. It’s part of a nation-wide drive to help attract economic and social development and tackle the rural/urban divide through digitalisation which waslaunched recently byMinister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
Did you know that all waste household electronic, lighting items as well as batteries are free to recycle? When you recycle e-waste, you’re not just preventing it going to landfill. You’re also giving it new life. Recovering valuable resources, that can be used again. And stopping harmful substances, from entering our environment.
Recycle for Free, with WEEE Ireland! At your local authority recycling centre or participating electrical retailer. Visit weeeireland.ie to find your nearest Local Authority recycling centre or participating retailer today.
