Category: News

Section 15 (3) of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that a registration authority must publish details of any corrections to the Register within the period specified for same, i.e. from 1^st to 15^th February and that such corrections will be deemed to form part of the Register of Electors and any supplement prepared in relation to same.

Constituencies for European Parliament elections are specified in the Third Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997. The European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2019, published on 4^th February 2019, gives effect to constituency changes for the European Parliament Elections 2019, as recommended in the Report on European Parliament Constituencies 2018.

In the case of County Laois which was previously in the European Parliament Constituency of Midlands-North-West, please note that it will now be part of the South Constituency at the 2019 European Parliament Elections.

SECTION 75, ROADS ACT 1993
(Road Regulations 1994)

In accordance with the provisions of Section 75 of the above Act and Article 12 of the Roads Regulations, 1994, Laois County Council hereby gives notice of its decision to temporarily close Main Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Works are scheduled to take place from Monday, 18th February 2019 to Wednesday 20th February 2019 from 8pm to 6am (Night Closure) to facilitate gas works.

Access for residents will be accommodated where possible. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

A map of the diversion route is available for inspection at below and in Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise.

Main St Portlaoise

Notice of Intention to Renew Prospecting Licence – Laois Offaly

Notice of Intention to grant Prospecting Licence

Submissions open for Strategic Policy Committee until close of business the 21st February 2019. Submissions can be made by email to planning@laoiscoco.ie or by post to Laois County Council
Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32 EHP9. 

Laois Draft Guide to Open Space

Draft-Shopfronts-Guide

Work has started on this initiative and should be completed this week. As part of the Creative Ireland Laois programme, this project was developed in partnership with the Arts Office, Heritage Office and students at Coláiste Dhún Masc to design and install a mural at the Old St Peter’s Graveyard, Railway Street, Portlaoise. The impetus for the project came from the late Councillor Jerry Lodge and the Portlaoise Tidy Town Committee, following on from conservation works to the graveyard started in 2017 and aiming to open it to the public as a “pocket park”.

This project endeavours to inspire interest in the heritage and archaeology of the town and county for the next generation. It is part of the greater Fort Protector project and rejuvenation of the central of the town. Old St Peter’s is included in the recently announced Urban Regeneration funding for the historic core of Portlaoise.

The mural depicts Rory Óg O Moore and his wife Margaret O’Byrne (of the famed O’Byrne Clan of Wicklow.  The iconic Laois site the Rock of Dunamase, is in the background. Wolves and wolfhounds also featured in the mural.

Heritage Officer with Laois County Council Catherine Casey said “There has been a lot of focus on Fort Protector in recent years, and we are delighted with that. But the fabric of the Fort, built by the English planters, is just one part of the origin story of Portlaoise. We wanted to use this mural as an opportunity to commemorate the people the Fort was built to keep out – the Gaelic tribes led by the O’Moores. The location of Old St Peter’s – just outside the walls of the Fort – makes it a perfect place to remember the people outside the walls. We’re grateful to Creative Ireland for their support for the project, and also to the Heritage Council, whose ongoing support for Old St Peter’s has been crucial over the past number of years”.

Coordinator of the Creative Ireland programme, Muireann Ní Chonaill said, “It is hoped  that further projects to enhance streets in towns and villages throughout  the county will  take place with help from the Creative Ireland programme.”

Further details from Muireann Ni Chonaill, Coordinator of Creative Ireland Laois at  T 057 8664109/4033 E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

After a nine-month tour,the Laois Arthouse will present the finale of the ‘Townscape’ exhibition, by Mary Burke, from January 15 to February 22. The event will be opened on Saturday, January 26^th at 3pm, by Justice and Equality Minister Charles Flanagan. A short film about the exhibition will be screened, documenting local school children engaging with the exhibition under the direction of Curator, Jenny  Papassotiriou and a keynote address by Professor Mary Corcoran.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information click here http://www.arthouse.ie

Laois County Council invites submissions from the public on the draft Noise Action Plan 2019-2022, prepared under SI No. 140 of 2006, to address noise from major transport sources.
This is a strategic plan to address noise from major roads in Laois. The plan excludes noise from domestic activities, noise created by neighbours, noise at workplaces or noise inside a means of transport or due to military activities in military areas.
The main purpose of the plan is to inform and consult the public about exposure to noise from major roads and the corrective measures that may be considered to address these issues.
The draft plan and associated maps will be available for inspection at the following locations for a period not less than four weeks beginning on the date of publication of this notice:

Roads Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise (during normal working days from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m).

The full plan may also be accessed on the Laois County Council website www.laois.ie.

LCC NoiseActionPlan 2019-2022- Draft

Appendix VII Proposed Noise Information Sheet

Appendix VI- Road Night

Appendix VI- Road Day

Appendix VI Rail_OutsideAgglom_PDFMaps_Lnight

Appendix VI Rail_OutsideAgglom_PDFMaps_Lden

Appendix VI- Priority Noise Areas

Submissions or observations on the draft plan are invited from the general public. These submissions may be made in writing to :
Administrative Officer, Roads Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois or by email to roadsadmin@laoiscoco.ie up to and including 1st March 2019.

Laois County Council seeks tenders for the Provision of Services for the Co-ordination of two Per Cent for Art Projects. The requirement is for delivery of all stages of the projects, including development of briefs, commissioning and installation.

Download docs here.[br][br]

• Request for Quotation Services (RFQ)- Public Art Co-ordinator 
• Tender Response Document(TRD) Public Art Project Co-ord

(more…)

Laois County Council Arts Service invites applications for the following awards  and opportunities to individuals/groups and organisations.  Forms for Arts Act Grants, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary award, Artists in Schools Scheme and Culture Night Expression of interest forms are available to download from link here  https://laois.ie/departments/arts/grants-schemes/

Arts Act Grants 2019 – Provision has been made by Laois County Council for the payment of grants to Laois arts organisations and individuals who meet the artistic and financial criteria set down by Laois County Council and who provide adequate information on their proposed activities.  Maximum amount payable will not exceed €1000.

The Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Awards 2019 – A bursary is available to enable two Laois artists to spend one week working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan.  The bursary is open to artists in all fields and is selected on previous achievements and projects in hand.

Artists in Schools Scheme 2019  Grants are available for artists’ residencies in schools, to include all art forms.   This scheme gives primary and post primary schools the opportunity to select and work with professional artists and explore new arts media.

Culture Night 2019 – Expressions of interest are invited from arts and culture groups and individuals interested in organising events to be included in the funding application process for culture night in September 2019.

Details and application forms available from:  The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  T: 057 8664033  E:  artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  Closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thursday 14^th  February 2019.