This year’s James Fintan Lalor School, organised by Laois Heritage Society, takes place at the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise, on Saturday 18th November.
Speakers include Diarmaid Ferriter, Jane Maxwell, Seamus Hosey, Claire O’Brien, David Norris, Patricia King, Kevin Myers, Marie Louise O’Donnell and Muiris O’ Suilleabhain.
Following the official opening of this year’s school by Charlie Flanagan, TD Minister for Justice and Equality, the day will include Panel Discussions on topics such as “Brexit: Our Identity, Our Future”, and “Ireland Today”, with an individual soapbox style presentations from Jane Maxwell and Kevin Myers.
Musical entertainment will be provided by members of Portlaoise and Mountmellick Comhaltas.
Audience participation will be encouraged throughout the day. When formal procedures are over a showing of the play “From the sod to the sky” by Mike Finn will be introduced by MC Kathleen Culliton.
The premiere of a newly commissioned musical piece on the theme of pollinators by Ian Wilson took place at Emo Court on Sunday 12th November 2017, as part of the Laois Leaves Literary Festival.
Titled “Thresholds”, this specially-commissioned 25-minute musical work for saxophonist and soundtrack will feature the voices of local people whose lives and work in some way have a positive impact on pollinators – we hear little snippets telling us about what they do for pollinators and how they do it.
Saxophist, Cathal Roche, performs the Premiere of a new musical piece in celebrations of Pollinators , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully.
The piece – which was commissioned by Laois Heritage Office and funded through the Creative Ireland programme – has also been recorded and the full work, composed by Ian Wilson and performed by saxophonist Cathal Roche is available to stream on Soundcloud.
Red-tailed bumble bee and common carder bee (John Breen/National Biodiversity Data Centre)
Also on the soundtrack are sounds of pollinators themselves as well as of their habitats, together evoking landscapes we are all familiar with and that we hope to preserve far into the future.
Composer , Ian Wison speaking at the Premiere of a new musical piece in celebrations of Pollinators , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully.
Ian has made recordings all over Laois for this work – in Portlaoise and in places like Emo Court, Abbeyleix Bog, Clonaslee and Dunamaise among others. The music both responds to what we hear on the soundtrack and provides a commentary on the various topics touched upon there. Saxophonist Cathal Roche is both a focal point for the audience and a kind of guide through the piece, knitting together the various speakers, sounds and ideas with his playing.
The event also featured readings by the winners of the Pollinator Poetry Prize, poetry to celebrate pollinators by adults and children, adjudicated by poet Anne Marie Ní Churráin.
Emer Rigney (Colaiste Naomh Cormaic ,Kilcormack ( winner in the 15 -14 years category) in the the Pollinators Poetry Competition , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. accepting her prise from Adjudicator, Annemarie Ni Chrrean , during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully- njo reproduction fee.
The work is part of a joint project of Laois and Offaly Heritage Offices, with the support of the Creative Ireland programme and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The premier event was part of the 2017 Laois Leaves Literary Festival, organised by Laois Arts Office.
A huge crowd of the local community, family members and military service people attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Sergeant John (Jack) Moyney in Rathdowney on Tuesday (12th September). The event, organised jointly by The Irish Guards, the Royal British Legion and Laois County Council, marked the centenary of the events for which Moyney won the Victoria Cross, during the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele) in Belgium, during World War I.
On 12th & 13th September 1917, north of Broenbeek, Belgium, Lance-Sergeant Moyney was in command of 15 men. Surrounded by the enemy he held his post for 96 hours, having no water and very little food. On the fifth day, finding himself surrounded, he and Private Thomas Woodcock led the men in a charge through the enemy to safety. Private Woodcock, who was later killed in action at the Somme, also received a Victoria Cross.
The Rathdowney event commenced with a Parade of Standard of branches of the Royal British Legion, the Irish Guards Association, The Royal Air Force, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, and a National Colour Party, made up of representatives of the Irish Army bearing the National Flag.
National Colour party of the Irish army with parade of standards of the Royal British Legion and the Irish Guards (Photo Michael Scully)
The gathering was addressed by Ian Robertson of the Irish Guards Association Republic of Ireland Branch, who explained that the Victoria Cross paving stone being unveiled was donated by the British Government and is identical to one which will be unveiled to Jack Moyney along with other Irish winners of the Victoria Cross, in Glasnevin Cemetery in November this year. The British Government in donating the paving stones to Glasnevin also made a commitment to fund a second stone to be erected in a place of significance to the individual soldier, if there was sufficient local interest. The hundreds of people who attended the event in Rathdowney this week were certainly evidence of that local interest in Laois.
Ian Robertson of the Irish Guards Association with Rev Richard Seymour Whitley Rector of Rathdowney Group of Parish, who concelebrated the ecumenical service with Fr Martin Delaney PP (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)
Setting the scene, local historian Barbara Maher gave a moving account of life in Rathdowney in 1917, and read the names of the 40 young men from Rathdowney who enlisted during World War I. A quarter of these men did not return. Journalist Kevin Myers described the great input and impact of Irish born soldiers in the British Army during World War I and recalled interviewing Jack Moyney at his home on Roscrea in the 1970s. He described a modest man, who was nonetheless quietly proud of his contribution.
Cllr John King of Laois County Council with journalist Kevin Myers and local historian Barbara Maher (Photo Michael Scully)
An ecumenical service of remembrance was concelebrated by Fr Martin Delaney Parish Priest of Rathdowney and Rev Richard Seymour-Whiteley of Rathdowney Union of Parishes. Readings were by David Gibson-Brabazon, President of the Midland Counties and Kildare Branch of the Royal British Legion, and by Cllr. Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council.
The commemorative monument was unveiled by Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan and Cllr John King of Laois County Council. The monument was created by local craftsmen under the guidance of Cllr John King, and comprises the Victoria Cross paving stone and a plaque describing the actions of Jack Moyney and his later life. The Act of Remembrance by Colonel (Retired) Timothy Purdon OBE, Regimental Adjutant of the Irish Guards was followed by the Last Post and Reveille by a Bugler and a Lament on the Pipes.
The plaque was unveiled by Cllr John King of LCC and Minister Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)
Jack Moyney had five children all now sadly deceased. Following research by Catherine Casey Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, with great assistance from Roscrea Heritage Society, contact was made with members of each of the branches of the family in Rathdowney, Roscrea and further afield. As a result representatives were present of the families of James Moyney, Alice Troy (nee Moyney), Elizabeth Ryan (nee Moyney), Mary Letsome-Moten (nee Moyney), and Bridget Maher (nee Moyney). Grand nephews and grand nieces from the Finane, Brown, Mullins, Campion and other families were also in attendance. Many of the family still live in Roscrea and Rathdowney, but others had travelled from across Ireland and the UK to attend the event.
Following the unveiling of the monument, John Moyney, Grandson of Jack Moyney, spoke movingly of his memories of his grandfather, on behalf of the wider Moyney Family. Despite the driving rain, the large crowd, which also included children from St Fergal’s College Rathdowney and each of the town’s two primary schools, remained in respectful attendance throughout. The ceremony ended with the laying of wreaths by the British Ambassador Robin Barnett, Minister Charlie Flanagan, and representatives of the Royal British Legion and the Irish Guards. Floral tributes were laid by each of the Five branches of the Moyney Family, by Cora Percival (Rathdowney), John Ryan (Roscrea), Emily Moyney (UK), Michael Maher (Kerry) and Catherine Grimes (UK).
Minister Charlie Flanagan lays a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government (Photo Michael Scully)
Closing the event on behalf of Laois County Council, Cllr John King thanked the organising committee Paul Stephenson (Royal British Legion), Ian Robertson (Irish Guards Association), Catherine Casey (Laois Heritage Office) and Angela McEvoy (Laois County Council).
Paul Stephenson (Royal British Legion Midland Counties and Kildare Branch), British Ambassador Robin Barnett and Cllr John King of Laois County Council
Pupils from St Fergal’s College Rathdowney with a representative of the Irish Guards and the Regimental Mascot, an Irish Wolfhound named Domhnall (Photo Michael Scully)
Representatives of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)
Ian Robertson (Irish Guards Association), Robin Barnett (British Ambassador to Ireland), Min Charlie Flanagan (Minister for Justice and Equality) (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)
Lowering of Regimental Standards during the lament (Photo Michael Scully)
Plaque to Jack Moyney VC with wreaths laid on behalf of the Irish Government, British Government, Irish Guards Association and Royal British Legion (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)
Celebrating the natural heritage of Laois through free, fun, family events
Across the country plans are coming together for National Heritage Week 2017 which will take place from 19 to 27 August. Events are being organised by almost 1,000 heritage enthusiasts from organisations to community groups and individuals.
The programme of events for Laois highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage.
Sarah Stanley and Katie Kirwan at Kids Wildlife in The People’s Park, Portlaoise as part of Laois Heritage week. Picture: Alf Harvey
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “Most of the events are free so that the heritage of Laois can be accessed and appreciated by all. For nine action packed days, Ireland celebrates not only heritage but community involvement and a deep connection between people and place”.
This year’s theme is Nature, and heritage really is in our nature! From a Pollinator Party at Portlaoise Town Park, Bee Movie at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, and a sneak preview of a piece of music inspired by the bees of Laois and the people who are trying to protect them, to hands on wildlife workshops for children at our libraries, there is something for everyone to enjoy this National Heritage Week. Find out more about the natural world all around us at workshops, exhibitions, activities, talks, demonstrations, re-enactments, tours and more.
Of course all other aspects of our heritage are being explored as well – Find out about the recent excavations into the history of the medieval Fort at the centre of Portlaoise, on two walking tours – one led by adults and the other led by children!
Explore the history of Laois on a walking tour of Portlaoise. Get your hands dirty and kids archaeological digs in Abbeyleix and Mountrath. Enjoy the high roads and byways of Laois with the Bulfin Heritage Cycle. Or journey to Castlewood Organic Farm in Durrow or Ballykilcavan near Stradbally, to find out more about the wildlife that surrounds us and how faming and wildlife go hand in hand. Visit Donaghmore Museum, this time to learn about the wildlife that has made its home within the walls of the former workhouse.
Gordon D’Arcy at work at the Heritage Week Irish Wildlife Workshop with Gordon D’Arcy in Mountmellick Library. Picture: Alf Harvey
National Heritage Week is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on not only our heritage but the work of thousands of volunteers who give their time to preserve and promote it. Last year National Heritage Week hosted its biggest national celebration of all things heritage, with over 400,000 people attending almost 2,000 events.
National Heritage Week is part of a European Heritage Day programme of events. This is 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 is to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage and to promote Europe’s common cultural heritage. Here in Ireland we celebrate European Heritage Days with a full week of events throughout National Heritage Week. National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council and its aim is to build awareness and education about our heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation.
Breda and Bobby Maher, Clonaslee with Tom Hussey of Dunamaise Bee Keepers at Emo Court as part of Heritage Week. Picture: Alf Harvey
In the past ten years Heritage Week has grown into a highly successful programme of over 1800 events which take place during the last week of August each year. At local level, Heritage Week events are co-ordinated by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council. An event guide for the week for Laois is available to download at www.laos.ie/heritage, or in hard copy at all Branch Libraries. National Heritage Week 2017 will run from 19th to 27th August. – See more at: www.heritageweek.ie.
The full guide to free, fun, family events happening across Laois for Heritage Week is now available to download. A wide range of events are being held between Saturday August 19th and Sunday August 27th, many of them exploring and celebrating this year’s theme of wildlife. From a Pollinator Party in Páirc an Phobail Portlaoise, to a slideshow of photographs by talented Mountmellick photographer Dom Reddin, to a “Morning, Noon and Night” tour of the county by the Laois Tour Guides Forum, there is a great range of activities on show in the county this year.
The guide the events in Laois is available to download now and Hard copies will be available at County Hall and Laois Libraries shortly. Details of all events nationwide can be found at www.heritageweek.ie.
Breda and Bobby Maher, Clonaslee with Tom Hussey of Dunamaise Bee Keepers at Emo Court as part of Heritage Week. Picture: Alf Harvey
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 the Reptile Zoo, and Minecraft Rocks to Genealogy, Vikings and the Voyage of the James Caird! 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.
Wildlife events include the launch of the Irish Wildlife Trust Portlaoise Swift project, a beekeeping demo and nature walk in Emo Court, a Dipper walk in Monicknew with BirdWatch Ireland Laois, and an exploration of teh Wildlife of Donaghmore Workhouse.
Other highlights of the week will include the Bulfin Heritage Cycle across the county, with participants in period costume on High Nelly bikes, and a re-eactment of part of the Battle of Ypres, in Durrow, at which Sgt Jack Moyney of Rathdowney won a Victoria Cross for bravery.
There really is a great range of events planed – Heritage Week, it’s in your nature!
Heritage Week is co-ordinated nationally by the Heritage Council and locally by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council. We are very grateful for the ongoing support of the Heritage Council for all our activities.
In a unique partnership, Landscape Alliance Ireland and the community of Abbeyleix will convene the National Landscape Forum on Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23. First convened in June 1995, the forum this year aims to be the first such interactive European landscape event, focusing all its attention on the distinctive characteristics of one locality with an integrated blend of presentations, field visits, workshops and open forum discussions.
Abbeyleix, one of Ireland’s entrants in the Entente Florale this year, is the oldest planned town in Ireland, has its own community-managed raised bog on its doorstep, and forms part of the demesne heritage of Ireland richly drawn on the local landscape and a landscape that today supports a thriving progressive agricultural community. The Abbeyleix community; confident in the remarkable attributes of their local landscape enthusiastically embraced the opportunity of hosting the landscape forum from the beginning.
As its contribution to the implementation of the National Landscape Strategy, Landscape Alliance Ireland could not have chosen a more appropriate venue to launch its community-based initiative placing landscape deliberations where they belong – at the heart of one of the most dynamic local communities in the land.
Pembroke Terrace, Abbeyleix
As the economic recovery fitfully advances and the construction industry gears up its excavators and cranes, it is vital that we strengthen and refine our understanding of the importance of the quality and sustainability of the national resource that is our shared landscape. We cannot allow a repetition of the degradation and homogenisation that characterised some much of the landscape change that accompanied the Celtic Tiger years.
The Abbeyleix forum supported by the Department of Arts and Heritage, Laois County Council & the Heritage Council is a vital step towards a responsible and informed way forward. Over 20 speakers from a range of backgrounds will contribute their knowledge and experience over the two days. But it will be the deliberations of the 70 or more diverse participants that will deliver the real value and output of the event. The forum which will be based at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel is open to all interested citizens and participation is free.
Funding has been announced for the conservation of protected structures in Laois, and nationally. Two schemes, administered by Laois County Council on behalf of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural, Regional and Gaeltacht Affairs will bring almost €150,000 in funding to 15 properties right across the county. A wide range of building types in Laois will benefit from funding this year, including thatched houses, old mills, churches, modest homes, and large country houses. Typical works to be funded under the scheme include roof repairs, structural consolidation and measures to ensure weather tightness.
Map showing the distribution of grants under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (Green) and Structures at Risk Fund (red) in Laois. Courtesy of Google maps.
Welcoming the funding announcement, John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council said “Laois County Council is delighted to be involved in running these schemes, which bring a significant benefit to both the building owners, and the heritage of the county. This funding is also important as a support the construction sector in the region, particularly the specialist conservation skills involved in maintaining and repairing these buildings. I am particularly pleased to see funding allocated to two prominent buildings in the historic core of Portlaoise, which was the focus of the recently published Vision Statement. Building on the medieval core of the town will be an important element of developing a vibrant future for Portlaoise”.
St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Portlaoise benefitted from the Structures at Risk Fund in 2016 and has been awarded funding in 2017 to repair the historic boundary wall of the church.
At national level, €3.5 million is being made available under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and €1.3 million is being made available under the Structures at Risk Fund to allow for the conservation and repair of protected structures across the country. Minister Heather Humphreys said: “This investment will support the conservation of our heritage buildings and jobs in the conservation sector right across the country. The €4.8 million investment will leverage a further €11 million in private sector funds and will stimulate labour-intensive projects nationwide.
“Ireland’s heritage buildings and protected structures are a vital part of the infrastructure of our villages, towns, and cities. The Action Plan for Rural Development recognises the importance of investing in built heritage as a tool for rural regeneration and the economic recovery is allowing me to increase the level of funding available. Investing in our built heritage is not just good for the individual properties concerned, but can also provide a real boost to job creation in the construction, conservation and tourism sectors “.
Tidy Towns groups in Laois are being urged to enter a special award in the National Tidy Towns competition which promotes the protection of pollinators.
Irish bees and other pollinators contribute €35 million a year to the Irish economy by pollinating our plants, trees and vegetables. They are under serious threat for survival because they don’t have enough food to eat or places to live. In response to this, in 2016 Local Authority Heritage Officers and Biodiversity Officers, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, launched a new Tidy Towns “Let’s Get Buzzing- Local Authority Pollinator Award”. This Special Award encourages Tidy Towns groups to support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan by making their communities more pollinator-friendly. There is an attractive prize fund of €9,000.
Ann-Marie Kelly, Tidy Towns Co-ordinator with Laois County Council said “We hosted various events to promote the role of pollinators over the last few months and these were well attended. It is clear there is a huge interest in making Laois more pollinator friendly. The interest shown by our Tidy Towns committees illustrates their ongoing commitment to enhancing our natural environment. My colleagues and I are very happy to help groups become more pollinator friendly and build on our joint commitment on an annual basis.”
There was a great response to the award in 2016 with 58 Tidy Towns groups taking part. Monaghan Tidy Towns, national winner in the large town category, turned their town into an urban orchard, by encouraging residents to plant pollinator friendly fruit trees.
“Most pollinator actions are not costly or too complicated” explained Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council. “They can range from simply changing the grass mowing regime, to planting pollinator friendly trees and shrubs, or raising awareness by promoting the Junior All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to youth groups and schools. Local communities can lead the way in creating an Ireland where pollinators can thrive”
The National Biodiversity Data Centre has produced practical guidelines to help communities and Tidy Towns groups to take action. The guidelines and other useful resources can be downloaded here.
The closing date for the award is 25th May 2017. Details and application forms are available to download below:
The Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, with the support of Creative Ireland, wish to commission up to two artists to explore and present aspects of the pollinators of Ireland through art.
This is a multi-disciplinary commission and applications are invited from professional visual artists, film makers, musicians, writers, theatre practitioners choreographers, dance makers, new media and more. Applicants can submit a proposal to work in one or both counties. Each county project has a commission value of €10,000.
The project brief for this commission of an original art work for Laois and Offaly is now available. The closing date for receipt of proposals from artists is 12th May 2017.
(Photo courtey of the National Biodiversity Data Centre)
Pollinator plan
Over one third of Irish bees species are under threat of extinction, having suffered reductions in habitat, including safe places to nest and food sources. In response to this, the All Ireland Pollinator Plan was published in 2015, with actions under five key objectives to deliver conservation for pollinators. The objectives are:
Making Ireland pollinator friendly (farmland, public land & private land)
Raising awareness of pollinators and how to protect them
Managed pollinators – supporting beekeepers and growers
Expanding our knowledge on pollinators and pollination service
Collecting evidence to track change and measure success
The Pollinator Plan has succeeded bringing together a wide range of groups related to government, farming, communities and business, to work for pollinators. This public art project aims to further raise awareness of the importance of pollinators by engaging with communities in a creative way to explore and deepen understanding of the importance of pollinators in our lives.
The Heritage Council is offering three grant schemes in 2017. An outline of the grant schemes is available now, to give groups more time to plan projects. The full application forms will be available online from March 1st 2017. You must submit your application online (including supporting documents) by 5pm on March 24th 2017.
Schemes available are:
Community Heritage Grants Scheme
Grant Scheme for Museum Standards Programme of Ireland Participants (MSPI)
Thatch Conservation Grant Scheme
16th Century Map of Fort Protector. A Conservation Plan for the fort at the historic centre of Portlaoise was supported by the Heritage Council in 2016
Guidelines for Applicants
Broadly speaking, the information required is:
A clear description of your project
How you believe the project will benefit heritage and people and your local community
A breakdown of the costs associated with the project
Documents such as maps, photographs, diagrams or drawings for example, will usually be required for projects.
Getting Started
If you have an idea for a project, please contact us for information and advice. The national network of Heritage Officers has a great depth of expertise, knowledge ‒ and interest ‒ and will be happy to provide guidance and help in identifying useful resources that might help with your application. A full list of Heritage Officers is here.
Have a look at previously funded projects, to get an idea of the type of project likely to be successful. Bear in mind however that the criteria may change slightly from year to year. The full criteria for this year’s Community Grant Scheme, including which project types are excluded, are here.
The Lea Castle Conservation Group received Heritage Council funding for geophysical research around the medieval site in 2016. Picture: Alf Harvey
Heritage Council launches 2017 Adopt a Monument Scheme
Thursday 2 February: The Heritage Council has today issued a call for communities to nominate the forgotten and lonely monuments in their community, that are desperately in need of care and attention, under the 2017 Adopt a Monument Scheme.
Aimed at empowering communities to become actively involved in the conservation and interpretation of their local archaeological and heritage sites, the Heritage Council is looking for four monuments to join the scheme for 2017.
Ireland’s landscapes, cities, towns and villages are dotted with an incredible variety of heritage sites, ranging from prehistoric tombs or stone circles, early monasteries, medieval walled towns, mighty castles, churches and graveyards and landed estates to industrial and agricultural heritage.
“The Adopt a Monument Scheme offers communities expertise, mentoring and support to help them to care for their local heritage, work collaboratively to develop and understand the story of their locality”, commented Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation at The Heritage Council. “For the monuments, the scheme has the potential to ensure ongoing maintenance and care, and greater protection through increased civic value, and much higher standards of interpretation and knowledge. Ireland has some of the finest archaeology in Europe and to date we have not really understood how valuable a resource this is”.
Last year six sites across Ireland were chosen to take part in the Scheme. They ranged from Anglo-Norman motte fortifications, a seventeenth century church, a stone fort, industrial heritage and a handball alley. Training and assistance in recording, understanding and surveying these sites was provided to the community groups that adopted them. “While spaces are limited this year, we want to hear from groups who would like to play a leading role in conserving a local monument that they feel passionate about”, added Doyle.
The Adopt a Monument Scheme is managed by Abarta Heritage on behalf of The Heritage Council.
Grants are now available for the conservation of historic buildings in Laois. Two grant schemes are available:
The Structures at Risk Fund, for buildings in imminent danger of collapse
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme, for more routine conservation works.
The closing date for both schemes is 28th February. Buildings must be either on the Record of Protected Structures or within an Architectural Conservation Area to be eligible for funding.
