Author: laois heritage

Heritage Week Event Guide Launched

A guide to all the free, fun, family events taking place in Laois for Heritage Week has been launched. The week, which takes place from August 17th – 25th, aims to celebrate all the best of the built, natural and cultural Heritage of the county.

The theme for Heritage Week this year is “Past Times, Pastimes”, and it really seems to have inspired people, with events including vintage board games, flag-making, tin soldiers, the history of photography, vintage train rides, and a celebration of past times at Donaghmore Workhouse.

There is plenty for nature lovers too, with Wild Child Day on Wednesday 21st August celebrated with Forest fun for Families in Emo Park Woods and a children’s Wildlife Workshop in Abbeyleix Library.

Award-winning children’s authors Aga Grandwicz and Juanita Browne will bring wildlife art adventures to libraries in Portlaoise and Mountmellick for Heritage Week.

Artist and co-Author of “Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals” Aga Grandowicz will deliver wildlife art workshops in Portlaoise and Mountmellick Libraries

The stories of historic houses and estates like Ballykilcavan, Stradbally Hall and Abbey Leix Estate can be explored through talks, walks and open days. Folklore, genealogy, townscapes, crafts and even the heritage of bridge have also inspired events!

The hugely successful Bulfin Heritage Cycle is back again, this year exploring Meandering Monks & Medieval Miles. A new addition for this year, the Twin Trees Festival in Ballinakill, will celebrate the heritage of Edwin Lutyens, designer of Heywood Gardens, whose 150th birthday is this year, The event includes “En Plein Air” painting, walks, talks and workshops on all aspects of garden heritage, as well as family fun, and promises to be hugely entertaining.

Cyclists arrive at the Rock of Dunamase for the Bulfin Cycle O’More Family History Pagent as part of Heritage week in Laois.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “as always there has been a wonderful community response to Heritage Week, with over 70 events organised across the county. The awareness of the week seems to grow each year, and we are so grateful to the organisations, communities and individuals who organise events to celebrate their own local heritage each year.”

Laois Heritage President and Chairman of the Heritage Council, Michael Parsons said: “Ireland’s heritage is as wonderfully diverse and unique as the communities, volunteers and individuals who champion it in its many forms. Heritage Week is an opportunity for us to come together in celebration of our traditions and stories, while showing appreciation to all those who help make them accessible to the public.

“With events that span music, the environment, history, and nature there really is something for everyone. As the summer holidays drawing to a close, the large selection of family-friendly events has appealed to those looking to make some lasting memories and end the break on a high note.”

For all the details, download the Laois Heritage Week event guide or check out our interactive map.

Heritage Week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council. See the national website for details of all events happening across the country.

National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days. These are a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year. The main aim of European Heritage Days are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to promote Europe’s common cultural heritage. Every year millions of Europeans visit historical monuments and sites throughout Europe on European Heritage Days. In Ireland we celebrate European Heritage Days with a full week of events throughout National Heritage Week.

23rd July 2019
Fitzmaurice Place Fort Protector Project Officially Opened

A major new conservation project at the core of historic Portlaoise could lead to the regeneration of the old town. The Fitzmaurice Place Regeneration, formally opened on Friday 28th June by Minister Charlie Flanagan, is one of the projects identified in the Portlaoise Vision 2040 Plan published in 2017 by Laois County Council.

Speaking at the formal opening, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Willie Aird said “This new public space for the people of Portlaoise will help bring life back to this part of town. With the wonderful conservation of the Old Fort Walls, the performance space and the wildlife-friendly planting, the new Fitzmaurice Place makes a great contribution to the culture and heritage of the town. But this is just part of what is planned for the centre of Portlaoise It’s one piece of the jigsaw of what’s needed for the heritage-led regeneration of the town”.

Hidden in Plain Sight

For many years Fort Protector, the 16th century fort at the centre of the origin story of Portlaoise, lay at the back of the Main Street and at the centre of the old part of the town, forgotten by many, and in many ways “hidden in plain sight”. Laois Heritage Society had always known and valued the fort, and in 2015 with help from the Heritage Council and Laois County Council, they started work on a Conservation Plan for the Fort.

This plan was ready to feed into the Vision Statement for Portlaoise published by Laois County Council in 2017, which put a great emphasis on the historic core of the town and the potential for heritage led urban regeneration. The Fort Conservation Plan and the Vision Statement together laid the groundwork for a successful Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) application in 2018. The HTI project was underway when an application for Urban Regeneration Development Funding was successful in early 2019.

John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council said “The Fitzmaurice Place project is just the beginning of a two-stage plan to revitalise the 16th Century Fort and the public realm around it. Phase II will commence soon with funding from the Government under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The conservation of Old St Peter’s Graveyard and the conservation and re-use of the former Presentation Convent also form part of the plan to regenerate the historic core of the town”.

Work carried out

This phase of work involved conservation of masonry of south wall and round baston of 16th century Fort Protector, removal of mass concrete remains of mill below Fitzmaurice Place and upgrading of the public realm (paving, lighting, seating, planting and layout) to architects’ specifications at Fitzmaurice Place. The project also included pollinator-friendly planting and landscaping with wildlife in mind, and the installation of a new performance space with lighting and power.

The site is further enhanced by the installation of two different artworks – there is a new position for the “Eitilt” Sculpture by John O’Connor, commemorating Col Fitzmaurice and the first East West Transatlantic flight, and the installation of “Instruments” by Mary McGinty – representing bronze-age weaponry – from James Fintan Lalor Avenue to a new setting in front of the Fort wall.

Sensitive Archaeology

Because the Fort is a recorded monument, all works at the site were planned in consultation with archaeologist Colm Flynn, who was on hand to monitor all the excavation works and report to the National Monuments Service on work carried out. Some delays were caused when the remains of modern-day concrete – part of the mil that was on site until the 1960s – were encountered. This industrial archaeology is an important part of the story of the site, and the remains were fully recorded. The remains of the older mill race on site were also uncovered, and these areas were recorded before being conserved in situ and safely covered back up. A full report on the archaeological aspects of the project has now been compiled and submitted to the Department for Culture. Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in accordance with the project’s archaeological license.

Next Steps

Funding has been granted under Project Ireland 2040 (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) for Phase II of this project, which involves conservation of the masonry of the Fort Wall on Tower Hill and Railway Street, and the extension of the public realm improvements around the remainder of the Fort Wall. Conservation of Old St Peter’s Church and graveyard on Railway Street are also included, as the heritage of the towns continues to play a major part in its regeneration.

Photos by Alf Harvey.

Thanks

Design Team/Project Group

Lotts Architecture and Urbanism (Des Byrne, Richard McLoughlin and Morgan Colclough)

Colm Flynn Archaeology

Nolan Construction Consultants (Quantity Surveyors Robert Noland and Nicky Crean)

Eireng Engineering (Valerie McLoughlin, Fiona Fleming)

Technical assistance – Nick Anton, Dunamaise Arts Centre

Laois County Council Team:

Michael Rainey, Director of Services

Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer

Angela McEvoy, Senior Planner

Paul McLoughlin, Senior Executive Engineer

Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer

Contractors

Dunne Brothers

Damian Condon, Calx Stonemason

Stephen Byrne Plant Hire and civil Engineering ltd

Killaree Lighting

MCD Landscaping

1st July 2019
Local Authority Heritage Officers team up with BirdWatch Ireland to Save Swifts.

A new book to help communities save their swifts has been launched by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers nationwide.

Swifts are an iconic summer visitor to Ireland, arriving in early May following a long migration from southern Africa. Slightly larger than a swallow they are a ‘site faithful’ bird, returning generation after generation to buildings in towns and villages throughout Ireland to nest and raise young. Like many of our wild species however, Swifts are increasingly threatened through loss of nest sites and have suffered an alarming 40% population decline in the past decade. Problems arise when buildings are renovated or torn down removing the Swifts nest sites and sometimes huge nesting colonies can be lost overnight.

The good news is that there are many practical steps that we can all take to make a difference, and the new guide ‘Saving Swifts’ produced by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers is available to help. The guide, funded by the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of an initiative to encourage projects under the National Biodiversity Action Plan, contains all the information required for individuals, local groups, schools, businesses or government departments to play a role in helping this amazing and threatened species. The information is presented in a colourful and user-friendly format and includes details on Swift ecology; reasons for declines; suggested conservation measures; nest box plans, case studies and much more.

Swifts nest in buildings where small gaps allow access to the roof space or cavities in masonry. Their chosen nest sites are often in older buildings which are sometimes dilapidated or in need of renovation. Awareness about the presence and requirements of Swifts is essential to ensuring that their nest sites are protected as part of renovation works. This typically involves timing works to take place from Sept to May. Also, there are many opportunities to create new nesting sites as part of new development through installing nest boxes or nesting bricks.

Anna and Sarah Rothwell, Birr pictured at the launch of the new book “Saving Swifts” at Abbeyleix Library. The book is a joint publication of BirdWatch Ireland and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network. Picture: Alf Harvey

Ricky Whelan, Project Officer with BirdWatch Ireland said: “The Saving Swifts guide will go a long way to support groups from around the country to help their Swifts at a local level, feeding into the wider Swift conservation effort nationally. Swift surveys are planned in Sligo, Wicklow and Meath this year, following on from surveys in Offaly, Laois, Tipperary and Westmeath over the past few years, so we are getting a much better handle on the scientific side of where swifts are, and what they need.”

Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “It was wonderful to work with BirdWatch Ireland and Heritage Officers across the country on this guide to help communities look after their swifts, and we are also grateful to the many swift conservation groups around Ireland who helped with expertise and success stories for the book”.

The Saving Swifts guide is available for free as a PDF download. Hard copies can be ordered from the Laois Heritage Officer.

Dearbhala Ledwidge, Kilkenny Heritage officer; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage officer and Ricky Whelan, Birdwatch Ireland pictured at the launch of the new book “Saving Swifts” at Abbeyleix Library. The book is a joint publication of BirdWatch Ireland and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network.
Picture: Alf Harvey

22nd May 2019
Major event and exhibition celebrate Portlaoise’s Aviation History

A major new exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in October will salute Colonel James Fitzmaurice, the Irish airman affectionately known as ‘Fitz’, who flew into aviation history by co-piloting the first aeroplane to successfully cross the Atlantic in a westerly direction.

The 90th anniversary of the momentous flight will be marked with a weekend of events in Portlaoise, starting with a celebration evening at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday 5th October, including the formal opening of the exhibition, presentations on the flight and the people behind it, and screening of archive footage.

The following day, October 6th, will see a fly-past in Portlaoise with historic aircraft by members of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation, established in 2014 to promote the historical aspects of aviation in the State. The fly past will use historic “chipmunk” aircraft, and the event will also feature a guard of honour and wreath laying in memory of the aviators at County Hall, Portlaoise. Fitzmaurice Place – named in honour of Col Fitzmaurice – is currently being upgraded as part of the Heritage Council-funded urban regeneration works in the centre of historic Portlaoise.

The exhibition of original artefacts from the flight and new works in response to the achievement will be curated by artist, Brendon Deacy, at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for the month of October, in recognition of Fitzmaurice’s accomplishment. Relatives of all three of the courageous adventurers have enthusiastically accepted invitations to attend the Portlaoise events.

The commemorations have been spearheaded by Teddy Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society, who literally wrote the book on the subject “Fitz and the Famous Flight” and has supplied memorabilia for display as well as acting as historical advisor to the commemorations.

Teddy Fennelly selecting historical items for the new Fitzmaurice exhibition with curator Brendon Deacy

First East-West Transatlantic Flight

On the 12th of April 1928, the ‘Bremen’ took off from Baldonnell Aerodrome outside Dublin with a crew of three: Fitz, Captain Hermann Köhl and Baron Von Huenefeld. Thirty-six hours later the world changed as they landed on Greenly Island, Canada.

Fitz’s thrilling life story, from his formative years in Laois to his fearless flight and legacy, is told through original artefacts, information-panels and short films designed and curated by Artist Brendon Deacy.

The international dimension of the flight is being celebrated as well, with relatives of the German aviators, and representatives of flying clubs in Bremen in Northern Germany scheduled to attend.

In April of this year a Laois delegation made up of then Cathaoirleach Padraig Fleming, author Teddy Fennelly, Heritage Officer Catherine Casey, artist Brendon Deacy and MDA Manager Patrick Buggy attended the ninetieth anniversary celebrations of the flight in Bremen, where the original aircraft has been restored and is on public display. Since then, close links have been developed with representatives from across Germany, in celebrating the joint Irish German achievement.

Laois delegation with the “Bremen”, first plane to fly the Atlantic from East to West, in Bremen Airport, April 2018

European Year of Cultural Heritage

Michael Parsons, Chair of the Heritage Council, who is on the Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, said “in this European Year of Cultural Heritage, it is fitting that the aviation heritage of Ireland and Germany is being commemorated in this co-operative way. The theme of the European Year is connecting local communities with their heritage, and the Fitzmaurice commemoration is a great example of how these connections are being made across Europe. The Heritage Council is delighted to be able to support the events and the exhibition”.

Artist Brendon Deacy photographs the “Bremen” for his exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in October

Booking

Attendance at the events on 5^th and 6^th October is free and all are welcome. For more information on the event and to reserve your ticket, please contact the Dunamaise Arts Centre, 057 866 3355, www.dunamaise.ie. Brendon Deacy’s exhibition runs at the Dunamaise Arts Centre from October 1^st to 25^th.

The commemoration of Col Fitzmaurice and the first East- West Transatlantic flight are supported by Laois County Council, the Heritage Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Heritage Society and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. This is a project of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

16th September 2018
Heritage Week is almost here!

The theme for Heritage Week this year is “Sharing Stories” and with over 70 events registered for Laois so far, this year promises to be one of the best yet. The full guide to all the fun, family events happening across Laois for Heritage Week – Saturday August 18th and Sunday August 26th – is now available to download. .

From the story of our waterways at Vicarstown to old coins and measurements in Mountmellick, and from bats in the belfry in Timahoe to the story of our landscape seen in old maps, there is a great range of activities on show in the county this year.

Checking out the jewellery at Portarlington Library for the The Fingal Living History Society Viking period workshop as part of Heritage Week.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie

The Libraries of Laois always put a great effort into Heritage Week and this year is no exception, with free events in most of the Libraries of the County, ranging from straw craft for adults and children and genealogy to exploring the stories of our history and wildlife with Michael Moylan of Irish History Live and Dale Treadwell of Naturally Wild. All of the library events are free, but most require booking, so please do contact your branch as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.

Events at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for Heritage Week include the launch of the Wolfhill Mining Project on Wednesday 22nd, and on Saturday 18th August, “What good is looking well when you’re rotten on the inside?” a fascinating play by Emma O’Grady based on the writings of her grandfather, a Civil Servant from Mountrath.

Wildlife events include an update on the Laois Swift Survey and the fate of the dipper, by BirdWatch Ireland, an exploration of the Grand Canal and Garryhinch Woods with the Irish Wildlife Trust, a beekeeping demo and nature walk in Emo Court, a bat walk in Timahoe, and a tour of the wildlife of Portlaoise. Our native bees are well looked after again this year, with this year’s Pollinator Party taking place in Mountrath,

The Stradbally Woodland Express Steam Train , in full Steam on Sunday last -as part of Heritage Week. Photo : Michael Scully

Other highlights of the week will include the Bulfin Heritage Cycle across the county, with participants in period costume on High Nelly bikes, the ever-popular stream trains in Stradbally Woods and the chance to experience sunset on the Rock of Dunamase.

There are open days in Stradbally Hall, and the gardens of Abbey Leix Estate, farm heritage walks on at Ballykilcavan and Castlewood, guided tours of Portlaoise and Abbeyleix, and local community photography exhibitions in Portarlington and Mountmellick.

There really is a great range of events planned and the week is a great opportunity to get out and discover your own local heritage, and maybe share a story or two with neighbours or visitors!

Heritage Week is co-ordinated locally by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council, and at national level by the Heritage Council. Details of all events happening across the country are at www.heritageweek.ie.

23rd July 2018
New Laois Passport Launched

A new Laois Passport has been published to encourage adults and children, tourists and residents alike to explore the wonderful heritage sites of Laois this summer. The passport, produced in a collaboration between Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and Laois County Council with the support of the Heritage Council, details 7 of the heritage sites of Laois, with a space for a passport stamp each time a site is visted. Stamps are available at Timahoe Heritage Centre (and the Corner shop in Timahoe), Mountmellick Museum, Donaghmore Workhouse, Dunamaise Arts Centre and Portlaoise Tourist Ofice, Abbeyleix Heritage House and Emo Court.

Participants in the Laois Offaly ETB literacy project: Serena Fitzpatrick, Edel Phelan, Hilary Doran, Sabrina Bowden, Karla Jordan and Nicole Delaney with pupils from Scoil Bhríde, Portlaoise at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Passports are availble from each of the sites featured, and the Tourist Office in Portlaoise. They are also available for collection by primary school teachers at Laois Education Centre.

The passport grew out ‘Unravelling Laois’, a Portlaoise-based family learning project, which aimed to capture some of the hidden gems of the county. ‘Unravelling Laois’ started to unfold when a group of parents in Scoil Bhríde enabled their family learning project to take on a different dimension when they developed an interest in history. The DEIS funded programme, in collaboration with the HSCL in Scoil Bhride, Adult Literacy Service in Laois Offaly ETB supported these parents in visiting a range of historical sites in Laois during the autumn months of 2017.

Frances Byrne, Local Link Laois Offaly; Deirdre Delaney (HSCL Co-ordinator Scoil Bhríde Portlaoise); Denise Dunne (Creative Writing Tutor); Catherine Casey, (Laois Heritage Officer); Mary Delaney (Art Tutor) and Lisa McEvoy, (Laois Offaly ETB) at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Laois Offaly Local Link ensured that the group arrived at each destination safely and returned everybody to the school full of imagination. After each trip, the parents reflected on their adventures through artwork and creative writing. With the encouragement of their tutors, Denise Dunne and Mary Delaney, they have created art that illustrates their new understanding of the history of this county along with compiling a book through their own book club, that captures all their experiences throughout the project.

This inspirational project is family learning in its true sense, supporting parents to help their children learn and providing them with an opportunity to develop their own learning skills.

The project developed further and it was decided that the group would publish a passport at the end of their travels, for parents to use when bringing their children to each of the sites during the summer months. This passport was taken to the next level with the support of Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, and is available to all primary schools in Laois now and is also available from the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise Tourist and all the heritage sites the project visited.

OPW guide Joan Phelan stamping passports for Daniel Doran, Clodagh Fitzpatrick, Aaron Bowden-Adair, Eoin Bowden-Adair and Ryan Dunne from Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Unravelling Laois will be exhibited in Emo Court for the summer. Drop in and don’t forget to collect your passport at reception or download it here – happy travels!

5th June 2018
Planning notice for Fitzmaurice Place and Fort Protector Enhancements

Notice of Proposed Development by a Local Authority. Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) and Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (As Amended)

In accordance with Part XI, Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, and Part VIII, Article 80 & 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as amended, Laois County Council hereby gives notice of its intention to carry out the following development:
Public realm enhancements at Fitzmaurice Place, Church Avenue, Church Street and Railway Street Portlaoise, to include landscaping, re-location of car parking, undergrounding of services, conservation and installation of public access to Fort Protector and all ancillary services.

There are a number of Protected Structures within the area where public realm works are to be implemented: RPS 468 Fort Protector, RPS 186a Old St Peter’s Church and RPS 186b Graveyard, Railway Street; RPS 951, 957 & 958 St Mary’s CBS School, Tower Hill; RPS 955 Former VEC, Tower Hill; RPS 959 Post box, Tower Hill; RPS No. 475 & 476: Former Presentation Convent & Tower, Church Avenue

Inspection
Plans and particulars of the proposed development are available for inspection during office hours from Tuesday 24th April 2018 to Thursday 7th June 2018 inclusive (excluding Bank and Public Holidays) at Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise or online at Fort Protector & Fitzmaurice Place Project. Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development dealing with the proper planning and development of the area in which the development will be carried out may be made in writing to Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise to be received no later than 4.00pm on 21st June 2018.

Submissions should be clearly marked Fitzmaurice Place Public Realm Part VIII.
Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services, Roads, Planning, Economic Development & Emergency Services
Tel: 057 8664000, www.laois.ie

This project received funding under the Historic Towns Initiative 2018 which is a partnership between the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

24th April 2018
Funding announced for historic properties in Laois

Funding of €87,000 has been announced for the conservation of protected structures in County Laois. A total of 14 buildings were allocated funds through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.

Both schemes are administered by Laois County Council, with funding from the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. These grants have been awarded following assessments by local authorities, who accepted applications from members of the public and put recommended projects forward to the Minister for approval.

Mountmellick Town Hall has been awarded funding to continue conservation work started in 2017

Full details of all projects funded nationally are at the website of the DCHG.

Details of the schemes and projects funded in Laois are here.

5th April 2018
Draft Local Area Plans Published

Draft Local Area Plans have been prepared for Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Portarlington (with Offaly County Council). The Draft Plans are on Public Display between 21st March and 8th May 2018, and submissions are invited during this time.

The Portlaoise and Mountmellick Draft Local Area Plans can be viewed during normal opening hours at:

Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise Co. Laois;

Portlaoise Library, Dunamaise House, Lyster Square, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

Mountmellick Library, O’Moore Street, Townparks, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.

The Joint Portarlington Draft Local Area Plan can be viewed at:

Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise;

Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore;

Portarlington Library, Main Street, Portarlington

A drop-in information session will be held on all three draft plans at Áras an Chontae Portlaoise, 5th April 2018, 9.30am to 12.30pm

Information sessions will also be held on each draft plan:

PORTLAOISE Draft LAP

Portlaoise Parish Centre, 10th April 2018, 7pm to 9pm

PORTARLINGTON Draft LAP

Portarlington Community Centre, 12th April 2018, 6pm to 8pm

MOUNTMELLICK Draft LAP

Mountmellick Library, 17th April 2018, 6pm to 8pm

Making a Submission

Submissions or observations regarding the Draft LAPs and the associated reports are invited from the public and interested bodies. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations. Written submissions or observations made on or before 4pm 8th May 2018, will be taken into consideration before the making of the Local Area Plans.

Submissions may be made in one of the following ways:

On the Portlaoise and Mountmellick Draft Local Area Plans:

Write to: Senior Planner, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

Email: portlaoiselap@laoiscoco.ie or mountmellicklap@laoiscoco.ie

On the Joint Portarlington Draft Local Area Plan:

Write to: Senior Planner, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

Or Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly;

Or email to: portarlingtonlap@laoiscoco.ie or portlap@offalycoco.ie.

Please make your submission by one medium only, i.e. hard copy or e-mail.

St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mountmellick

All submissions are to be clearly marked “Portlaoise LAP”, “Mountmellick LAP”, or “Portarlington Joint LAP” as applicable.

Submissions in relation to zonings should be send to the Local Authority in which the subject land is located, i.e. Portarlington, Co. Laois or Portarlington, Co. Offaly.

All submissions should include your name and a contact address, a map (where appropriate) and, where relevant, details of any organization, community group or company etc., which you represent.

All submissions will form a part of the statutory Chief Executive’s report to be presented to the elected members of Laois County Council and in the case of the Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan to the Edenderry Municipal District of Offaly County council.

The planning process is an open and public one, therefore all submissions/observations are a matter of public record and will be available for public viewing, and they may also be placed on the County Councils’ websites. Please include your name and contact details on a separate sheet to the content of your submission.

LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

22nd March 2018
Great season of talks from Laois Heritage Society

Laois Heritage Society’s annual programme of talks for 2018 has been launched, and contains a great range of talks on topics of local and national heritage interest. From political history to analysis of sites like Timahoe Round Tower and Stradbally Hall, to photos of old Portlaoise, there really is something for everyone.

Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons of Laois Heritage Society, with Mary Lalor, long-time volunteer with the society

Many of the talks will be held in Portlaoise (the Midlands Park Hotel) but several will be held in locations such as Abbeyleix and Timahoe.

The programme for this year also features a talk by Teddy Fennelly on the great aviator Col James Fitzmaurice, who navigated the first East West transatlantic flight in 1928 – the 90^th anniversary of that event takes place this year.

If you would like to join the Society (Annual membership fees: €20.00 Individual and €30.00 Family) or have any query about the Society, please contact them at: laoisheritagesociety@gmail.com or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaoisHeritageSociety

2018 LHS Talks brochure

24th January 2018
Abbeyleix included in spring workshop schedule of National Biodiversity Data Centre

2018 sees the continuation of the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s annual workshop programme, which has trained over 2,400 participants to date. This year the programme will be released in three phases: Spring, Summer and Winter with the current Spring workshop programme consisting of six workshops.

One workshop which will be of great local interest in Laois will be Squirrel and pine marten tracking (in conjunction with Abbeyleix Bog Project), on Saturday 10th March at Abbeyleix Heritage House & Abbeyleix Bog. The workshop is suitable for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s mammals, and costs €30.

After a brief introduction to the respective biology of both squirrels and pine martens, participants will learn of the latest research and conservation stories revolving around these mammals and how to survey them. This will be followed by an outdoor session where participants will have the opportunity to visit Abbeyleix Bog to see some of the surveying techniques and conservation enhancements described in the morning session.

Other workshops on offer this spring across the country include wetland birds, whales, dolphins & sharks and gardening for wildlife.

Book online at: www.biodiversityireland.ie/events/ or contact info@biodiversityireland.ie for further information.

Download the NBDC Spring 2018 Workshops brochure

24th January 2018
Funding announced for conservation of historic properties

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the very successful Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk Fund will operate again in 2018. The two schemes will provide a €3.3 million in investment in 2018 for the repair and conservation of protected structures. These schemes supported more than 500 projects across the country in 2017 and helped to provide employment in the conservation and construction industries.

Minister Humphreys said:

“This investment of €3.3 million in the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk Fund will encourage the investment of private capital in small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures. This will improve the appearance and structure of historic buildings across the country and will also support jobs in the conservation and construction industries.

“Well-maintained historic buildings contribute positively to the vitality of our cities, towns, villages and countryside. Local communities have a great sense of pride in their built heritage, which in turn can help to provide an important source of local employment by boosting tourism.

“Both schemes will operate on the same model as the 2017 schemes, which were a great success, funding over 500 projects across every local authority area in the country. They will help to regenerate urban and rural areas, and will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.”

House on the Square, Durrow, conserved with funding from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2017

Scheme documents for 2018 available to date are below. Further details will be published when available.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

All works carried out under the BHIS must be capital works. Full details of all requirements are in the Circular BHIS 18/1.

The BHIS will operate in 2018 with funding available to the amount of €2,000,000 nationally. The amount available to each Local Athority has not yet been published.

The total funding available for each individual project cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.
The minimum funding available under the BHIS will be €2,500 up to a maximum grant of €15,000.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 31st January 2018.

Full Scheme Terms and Conditions: BHIS 2018 Circular November 2017

Application Form: BHIS 2018 Appendix II – Application Form A

Details of works which qualify for funding: BHIS 2018 Appendix I – Qualifying and Non Qualifying Works

Structures at Risk Fund

All works carried out under the SRF must be capital works. Only structures or parts of structures in immediate danger of significant deterioration will qualify for consideration for funding.

The SRF will operate in 2018 with funding available to the amount of €1,324,000; €74,000 of which will be allocated for funding towards the type of house covered by An Action Plan for the Sustainable Future of the Irish Historic House, launched in 2015.

Due to the limited resources available for the operation of the scheme in 2018, DCHG will consider four applications per local authority, only one of which may be a publicly-owned building. A fifth application may be made if it relates to an Irish Historic House in private ownership.

The total funding available for each individual project shall not exceed 80% of the total project cost. The minimum funding available under the SRF will be €15,000 up to a maximum grant of €30,000. The minimum funding available for a fifth project in respect of a historic house in private ownership will be €5,000 up to a maximum of €10,000. The closing date for applications is 31st January 2018.

Full Scheme Terms and Conditions: 1. Circular SRF 2018 – FINAL

Application Form: 2. Appendix I – APPLICATION FORM A – OWNER_APPLICANT

29th November 2017