Laois County Council

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  • Finalists Announced in Laois Business Awards

    Finalists Announced in Laois Business Awards

    Laois County Council is delighted to be associated with the Laois Business Awards 2017 which are all about recognising and celebrating the best in business in Co. Laois.  A huge congratulations to all those that entered on this occasion, we received over 200 nominations from all corners of the county, making our first year of the awards a great success.  The quality of applications received shows huge commitment, drive and passion for enterprise in the County. We wish our 28 finalists the very best of luck and look forward to meeting you at our awards ceremony on the 28th April.  For those of  that were not shortlisted, we wish you continued success and support as your businesses develop and grow.

    Tourism & Hospitality Award Coolanowle Country House & Organic Farm Bob’s Bar – Durrow Tynan’s Restaurant @ The Storeyard  
    Retail Excellence Award Fisherman’s Thatched Inn Breslin’s Supervalue Rathdowney Heidi Higgins  
    Agri Business of the Year Award Stradbally Farm Services Dunmasc Genetics Coolanowle Organics Ltd  
    Innovation in Business Award Cyc-Lok Ltd Midland Steel Supplies Ltd Irish Polymer Extrusions Ltd  
    Exporter of the Year Award Laois Sawmills Ltd Midland Steel Supplies Ltd Walker Recycling Services Ltd  
    E-Commerce Award Kelly Lou Cakes The Costume Shop.ie Wall Stickers for Kids Ltd  
    Environmental Award Groundforce Killeen Civil Engineering C.J. Sheerin Ltd  
    SME Business of the Year Award Laois Sawmills Ltd G’s Gourmet Jams Aidan O’Connell & Associates Ltd  
    Entrepreneur of the Year Award Aubren Ltd Ortus Managed IT & Cloud Breslin’s Supervalu Rathdowney G’s Gourmet Jams

    Tickets to the awards event on 28th April in the Heritage Hotel Portlaoise are now on sale. Tickets are available online at www.localenterprise.ie/laois

    For more information about the awards, check out :http://www.laois.ie/departments/business-and-economic-development/laois-business-awards/

  • A Vision for Portlaoise – A Strategy for a Better Town Centre

    A Vision for Portlaoise – A Strategy for a Better Town Centre

    A Vision for Portlaoise – A Strategy for a Better Town Centre has been prepared by the Commissioned Consultants GVA et al which provides a proposed strategy, interventions, and policies including the following:

    • A ‘Shared Vision’ for Portlaoise Town Centre public spaces, parks, landscaping, walkways, traffic, transport, parking etc.
    • Key design interventions for urban spaces designated for enhancement,
    • Pedestrian priority linkages between the old and new areas of Town Centre and
    • A 3D model of Portlaoise Town Centre showing the existing town, the proposed interventions and the exposure and showcasing of the heritage assets.
    • Proposed policies and objectives and design manual.

    Read more

  • Creative Ireland Laois Grant Scheme

    Laois County Council wishes to announce a new grant scheme as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022. The scheme will provide financial support to local and community groups, artistic and creative practitioners, event organisers and those involved in creative activities and projects, to encourage cultural participation throughout Laois. Download application form here

    Laois 2017 Creative Ireland Grants Application Form

    The level of grant assistance for any one project will range from €500 to €2,500.

     

    Open to not-for-profit organizations, local community groups, arts, heritage and cultural groups, venues and societies. All applications received will be assessed based on an agreed selection criteria. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 28th April 2017 before 4pm.

     

    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 W: www.laois.ie.

     

    Muireann Ní Chonaill

    Arts Officer

  • Pollinators public art project

    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:

    1. Making Ireland pollinator friendly (farmland, public land & private land)
    2. Raising awareness of pollinators and how to protect them
    3. Managed pollinators – supporting beekeepers and growers
    4. Expanding our knowledge on pollinators and pollination service
    5. 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.

    More information on the All Ireland Pollinator Plan is here.

     

    This project is funded through the Creative Ireland Programme in Laois and Offaly.

  • Coffee Morning & Art Exhibition with Tom Joyce

    Coffee Morning & Art Exhibition with Tom Joyce

    Local artist Tom Joyce will exhibit his work ‘The Beauty of Water’ in Mountmellick Gallery from Tuesday 4th April to Thusrday 27th April. Tom will also host a coffee morning for members of the public on Thursday 6th April from 10:30-11:30am in Mountmellick Library. All are welcome.

  • Laois Business Awards 2017

    Laois Business Awards 2017

    We are delighted to announce that  28 companies have been short-listed for the Laois Business Awards 2017.

    Having received over 200 nominations, It was a difficult decision making process but the judging panel have now shortlisted an outstanding selection of local businesses to go forward to the next stage of the awards.

    Chief Executive, John Mulholland has said  “A huge congratulations to all those that entered on this occasion, we received over 200 nominations from all corners of the county, making our first year of the awards a great success.  The quality of applications  received shows huge commitment, drive and passion for enterprise in  the County. “

    All applicants are being notified this week by Laois County Council, with the short-listed companies being announced in the Laois Nationalist on Tuesday 4th April.

    The overall winners will be announced at the Business Awards Dinner on Friday 28th April 2017. Hosted by RTÉ broadcaster, Marty Whelan, the dinner and awards ceremony will see leading Laois business people gather for the event at the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise  to celebrate excellence in enterprise across the county. Guests can look forward to a drinks reception and dinner followed by dancing at the newly refurbished venue. Tickets for the Laois Business Award ceremony are  available from tomorrow -€40 online at www.localenterprise.ie/laois or by contacting Jason Ritchie at Laois County Council 05786 64077

    Read more http://www.laois.ie/departments/business-and-economic-development/laois-business-awards/

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    news

  • Art Demo with Tom Joyce

    Art Demo with Tom Joyce

    Local artist Tom Joyce will give an art demonstration in Moutmellick Library on Saturday 8th April from 11am to 1pm. Tom will demonstrate Landscape Painting Techniques. Please call the library to book your place (0578644572).

  • Temporary Closure of County Hall

    Please note that access to County Hall (Block 1) is temporarily restricted at this time due to construction works which are currently ongoing.

    Should you wish to make an appointment please contact (057) 8664000.

    Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

  • Laois Business Awards 2017- Extension of Closing date to Wednesday 22nd March

    Laois Business Awards 2017- Extension of Closing date to Wednesday 22nd March

    We are delighted with the response from the Business Community across the County to the Laois Business Awards which will take place on Friday 28th April 2017 in the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise.

    Due to a number of requests from various businesses, we have agreed to extend our deadline for applications to Wednesday 22nd March at 5pm to facilitate some late entries.

    We are delighted that the internationally recognised Business Woman, Louise Phelan of Paypal has agreed to chair our independent panel of judges.

    If anyone has any queries in relation to the awards they should contact Denise Rainey/Jason Ritchie, Business Support Unit, Laois County Council at 05786 64103/64077

    Read more http://www.laois.ie/departments/business-and-economic-development/laois-business-awards/

  • New Art Exhibition in The Gallery at Mountmellick Library

    New Art Exhibition in The Gallery at Mountmellick Library

    Elga K. Haaf is exhibiting her art work in Mountmellick Gallery from Tuesday 7th March until Friday 31st March. Elga was born in Southern Germany but has lived in Ireland since 2010. She was educated as a Graphic Designer and Art Therapist in Munich, Bavaria.

  • Nominations Open Laois Business Awards 2017

    Nominations Open Laois Business Awards 2017

    Nominations for the Laois Business Awards are now being sought. These awards will highlight the success of businesses across a wide range of sectors. Chief Executive John Mulholland says ” We encourage all local businesses, whether established or emerging, big or small, to get nominations in for the various categories. There are excellent businesses operating within the County of Laois and this is the ideal opportunity to showcase them and to get the recognition they deserve”

    Nominations are open from today 28th February and close at 5pm on Tuesday 14th March. Anyone can nominate a business, it only takes 2 minutes and you can even nominate your own business, so don’t miss out.

    To enter the awards please complete the nomination form here . Nominations forms can also be requested from Laois County Council by emailing; businesssupport@laoiscoco.ie

    A business only needs to be nominated once to progress to application stage.  All nominees will be notified and sent an application form or they can complete the application form here . 

    Please note that applications will only be accepted once a nomination has been received

    For more information about the awards you can like and share the dedicated facebook page for the awards 

    Read more about Business and Economic Development here