A free, illustrated talk by the National Gallery will take place at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally (Library area) on Monday 17th June at 7pm. Titled Shaping Ireland: Landscapes in Irish Art, the talk will explore the exhibition: its timely topics, the works displayed and the powerful impact of humans on our environment.
Shaping Ireland: Landscapes in Irish Art is an exhibition spanning 250 years. On display in the National Gallery of Ireland from 13 April to 7 July, it explores the relationship between people and the natural world. Contact: 057 8664033/13 or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie to express interest in attending.
Notification for the Temporary Road Closure in Rathdowney
Laois County Council wishes to advise of the intention & decision to close the following road at the following location
Road: R-435 Johnstown Glebe and Knockheel, Rathdowney
ON and/or BETWEEN the following dates & times
28/05/2019 07:30 and 31/05/2019 7pm
For the purposes of Emergency Road Works. See map below of alternative routes.
The re-count has now concluded in Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick LEA. After a thorough examination and re-count as requested by Councillor Goodwin two number errors were detected in the distribution of the Lorna Holohan-Garry exclusion. The impact of the errors are:
Error 1: Extra vote credited to Phelan
Error 2: Extra vote credited to Bergin
These votes have no material effect on the current state of poll.
I will arrange to have the necessary adjustment made. I will proceed with the exclusion of David Goodwin and the distribution of his votes.
Donal Brennan
Returning Officer
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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”.
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
In accordance with the provisions of Section 75 of the above Act and Article 12 of the Roads Regulations, 1994, Laois County Council hereby serves notice that it is intended to temporarily close the following roads in the vicinity of Ballyroan, Wolfhill, Luggacurren & Timahoe between 09.00a.m and 19.00 p.m. on 9th June, 2019. The closure is necessary to facilitate the Heartlands Rally for Laois Rally Sports Club. The following is a list of roads which are to be closed:-
Also Main Street, Portlaoise will be closed to vehicles from 18:00pm to 21:00pm on Saturday 8th June 2019from the Courthouse to junction with Church Avenue. There will be no access onto Main Street from any vehicular lanes.
The Laois Rally Sports Club will be erecting the appropriate signage and arranging manned points to divert traffic to the alternative route. Local access will be provided in emergencies. A map indicating the routes to be closed is provided below.
Any person wishing to object to the proposed road closure should do so in writing to the Administrative Officer, Roads Section, Laois County Council, not later than 4.00 pm on Tuesday 28th May 2019.
Of the intention & decision to close the following road at the following location
Road: N80 Mountmellick Rd Portlaoise N80 closed to Northbound traffic only
ON and/or BETWEEN the following dates & times From 8am – 20th May to 7pm – 15th of July
For the purposes of
THMGroup, on behalf of Laois County Council are commencing renewal works on the N80 between the Ballyfin road and Market Square.
These works will require a Partial road closure on this stretch of road. This will allow one way traffic from the Mountmellick side entering the town.
All traffic coming from Portlaoise will be required to follow theDetour from market square along the R445 and along the ring road by the School.
Any traffic wishing to enter any shops, houses, services train station will have to follow detour to follow the one-way system.
Diversion route in place as per map below:
This will be in effect from Monday 20th of May.
This lane closure will take place from 8.00am until 7.00pm each day.
There will be a diversion Route in place at this time.
These works are to provide services for upgrading and future proofing of the powerlines and street lighting on the N80.
Any objections or observations shall be emailed to:
tmadden@laoiscoco.ie
fnasiem@laoiscoco.ie
Signed: On behalf of the Roads Authority
Winners of “Design a Logo Competition for 5th & 6th Class Primary School Students” in Laois
The Community Section in Laois County Council are developing a logo for their Department. To assist with the development of their new logo they invited 5th and 6th class students from the primary schools in Laois to enter a competition to design a Logo. Gabija Appleby from St Josephs National School, Mountmellick, won an Apple Ipad Pro for her school. Andrew Coyne from Timahoe National School came joint second with Lucy Kelly from Killadooley National School, both students won a €200 book voucher for their school. All winning students won a €20 voucher each. A presentation of prizes was held on Monday 13th May in County Hall and was attended by the winners, their teachers and their families along with Cllr John Joe Fennelly, Leas Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council who presented the prizes. The entries were very impressive, communities play an important role in every aspect of our lives and it’s great to see that our young people know what community is all about.
Gabija Appleby from St Joseph’s Girl National School Mountmellick overall winner with Cllr John Joe Fennelly, her teacher and Principal
Andrew Coyne from Timahoe National School with Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr John Joe Fennelly, with his teacher and school Principal and Ms Pamela Tynan, Laois County Council
Lucy Kelly with Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr John Joe Fennelly, her teacher and Ms Pamela Tynan, Laois County Council
European Parliament, Local Elections and Referendum
Friday 24TH May 2019 – Polling Day
MOUNTMELLICK
Electors who previously voted at the Macra Na Feirme Hall in Mountmellick, should note they will vote at the Community Centre, Wolfe Tone Court, Mountmellick, and electors who previously voted at the Owenass Hall in Mountmellick, should note they will vote at Scoil Phadraig Naofa B.N.S., Acragar, Mountmellick on the polling day for the European Parliament, Local Elections and Referendum – Friday 24th May 2019.
RATHDOWNEY
Electors who previously voted at the Marian Centre in Rathdowney, should note they will vote at the Parochial Hall, The Square, Rathdowney, on the polling day for the European Parliament, Local Elections and Referendum – Friday 24th May 2019.
ABBEYLEIX/RAHEEN
Electors from the townsland of Boley Lower, Abbeyleix who previously voted at Shanahoe N.S. will now vote at Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix on polling day for the European Parliament, Local Elections and Referendum – Friday 24th May 2019.
Electors from the townslands of Barnadarrig, Clonbane and Cloncough who previously voted at Shanahoe N.S. will now vote in Tobar an Léinn N.S. Raheen on polling day for the European Parliament, Local Elections and Referendum – Friday 24th May 2019.
Great opportunity for any communities who may have a project in mind to develop/improve their area.
The Town & Village Renewal Scheme funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development,is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000. Funding of up to €200,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and its outlying areas.
Laois County Council is now accepting expressions of interest from towns and villages in Laois that will focus on projects that enhance and develop their areas socially, economically and culturally. All expressions of interest must be made on the ‘Expressions of Interest’ application form.
Projects which have clear positive and sustainable impacts on a town or village in terms of place-making and town centre regeneration, or which stimulate economic activity between a town/village and its neighbouring townlands, will be particularly welcome, as will proposals seeking to develop initiatives to encourage town centre living.
Projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, other schemes operated by Government Departments or agencies (e.g. in the areas of heritage, arts, culture, tourism, re-use of vacant premises, vacant sites, energy efficiency schemes, etc.) will also be encouraged.
All Expressions of Interest should be received by Friday 17th May 2019 (4pm). Further information including the Scheme Outline and Expression of Interest application form are available via links below.
Queries and/or to return your completed form, please contact:
Town and Village Renewal Scheme, c/o Pamela Tynan, Community Development Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Or
Email dce@laoiscoco.ie or
Closing date for ‘Expression of Interest’ is Friday 17th May 2019 (4pm).
All applications will be subject to a selection process using national criteria. Selected expression of interest applications will be developed into detailed bids for consideration for the 2019 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. Please note Expressions of Interest applications and follow up bids may or may not receive funding.
