This grant is to assist owners of premises connected to a domestic water supply with the cost of replacing lead piping or related fittings located within the internal distribution system of the premises as defined as the Water Services Act 2007.
Blog
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Laois Diaspora Business Network (LDBN)
Laois County Council has launched an initiative aimed at identifying and engaging with the Laois diaspora. This initiative aims at building new connections and strengthening existing ones under the umbrella of the Laois Diaspora Business Network (LDB Network).
The LDB network offers valued members of the Laois diaspora the opportunity to be recognised as part of the family of business people who have a link to County Laois. Laois County Council is a strong advocate of strengthening these links and a believer in the opportunities and markets which these connections can deliver. Becoming a member of this network affords you the opportunity to engage and network with like-minded business people across the world.
It is free to join this network. To start the initial conversation, we need some of your contact details – name, link to Laois, business interest and contact details. The LDB network will be hosted on the Laois County Council website.
For details regarding the Laois Diaspora Business Network, call Denise Rainey, Business Support Unit at 05786 64103/ drainey@laoiscoco.ie
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Mountmellick Water Supply
Irish Water asks people in Mountmellick to conserve water due to unseasonably dry weather conditions
19 January 2017 – Irish Water is asking people living in Mountmellick in County Laois to conserve water usage for the foreseeable future due to the unseasonably dry weather conditions over recent weeks.
The dry weather conditions have resulted in lower than normal water levels in the Straboe well which is the source of drinking water for the Mountmellick Public Supply. Irish Water is asking people to conserve water as much as possible and to report any leaks they see on the public network by calling our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.
Irish Water and Laois County Council are carrying out leak repair works on the Mountmellick and Portlaoise public water network to reduce leakage. We are asking the public for their assistance by reporting all leaks to help conserve water and reduce loss of water in the network due to leakage.
Irish Water would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the public in advance for their co-operation. We will continue to provide updates on the water storage levels at the reservoir and advise customers when they can return to normal usage.
Irish Water’s Top Tips for Conserving Water:
• Leak free: Check that your home is leak free. Check for running overflows and fix any dripping taps, cisterns or pipes
• Don’t let the tap run: Brushing your teeth with the tap running can use up to a staggering 6 litres per minute. Brushing your teeth with the tap off will use a more modest 1 litre of water
• Shower vs. Bath: The average bath uses 80 litres of water compared to an average shower using 49 litres in seven minutes. Switch your bath to a shower for a massive water saving
• Less time: With the average shower using 7 litres of water per minute by turning your five minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to 7 litres of water per day!
• Fully loaded: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machines are fully loaded. A modern washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water per cycle while a dishwasher uses 20 litres. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water but you will also reduce your energy bills
• Don’t flush it all away: A third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger cisterns can continue to work effectively with a smaller flush. Place a displacement device into the cistern (out of the way of moving parts) to save water
• Don’t forget to collect: Rainwater is excellent for your garden. Collect it in a water butt from your gutters but always make sure to securely cover the large container for safety
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Launch of the book “The Quiet County” by Mike Rafter
At a large gathering on Tuesday evening 13th December at Heritage House Abbeyleix, tragic events from the battle for the town during the Civil War were recalled by Comdt. Stephen Mac Eoin of Military Archives when Laois Heritage Office & the Laois 1916 centenary commemoration committee proudly launched a newly revised edition of Mike Rafters book “The Quiet County, towards a history of the Laois Brigade IRA and revolutionary activity in county 1913 – 1923”.
Cathaoirleach Tom Mulhall; Michael Rafter (author) and Comdt. Stephen Mac Eoin of Military Archives (who launched the book) at Heritage House, Abbeyleix for the 1916-2016 Commemoration launch of the book ‘The Quiet County’ by Michael Rafter.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ieThe event Comdt. Mac Eoin referred to was an eye-witness account of the shooting and death in the doorway of Heritage House (then a school house) of a young soldier named Christopher McGlynn further details of which can be found in the book.
The newly revised and updated book has been published as part of the Laois 2016 Centenary Programme, with funding from Ireland 2016. The driving force behind the project to reprint the book and also Laois Heritage Officer Catherine Casey acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, introducing Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Mr. Tom Mulhall, who gave a brief overview of events to commemorate the centenary of 1916 in the county.
Next, the author Mike Rafter spoke highlighting the importance of collecting photographs and memorabilia from the revolutionary years into a local archive and also thanked all the people who helped in anyway compiling the book.
Comdt. Stephen Mac Eoin who launched the book speaking at Heritage House, Abbeyleix for the 1916-2016 Commemoration launch of the book ‘The Quiet County’ by Michael Rafter.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ieThe book was launched by Comdt. Stephen Mac Eoin of Military Archives who outlined the work of the archives and gave an overview the Bureau of Military History files and Military Pension & Medal file collections used extensively by Mike Rafter in his research.
Finally, Manager of Heritage House, Paula Maher thanked all the speakers and invited them to continue their discussions over light refreshments.
The book is available at local book shops and newsagents from today.
Elaine Loughman, Jeremy Rafter and Kevin Rafter at Heritage House, Abbeyleix for the 1916-2016 Commemoration launch of the book ‘The Quiet County’ by Michael Rafter.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie
Pat and Patsy Kirby with Michael Rafter at Heritage House, Abbeyleix for the 1916-2016 Commemoration launch of the book ‘The Quiet County’ by Michael Rafter. Patsy’s father Michael Gray features in the book.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie
Michael, Ann, Emmet and Gabby Rafter at Heritage House, Abbeyleix for the 1916-2016 Commemoration launch of the book ‘The Quiet County’ by Michael Rafter.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie -
National Enterprise Town Competition 2016
County Laois was one of four counties invited to take part in a pilot competition to find the most enterprising town in the Country.
The aim of the Competition was to promote enterprise by bringing business and community groups together to showcase the spirit of enterprise in their town.
Five town in Laois took part – Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney and Mountrath. The judging took place in November with each town putting on a presentation for three visiting judges. Each town put on a great show.
The results were announced at an awards ceremony held in Roscommon on 7th December.
Portarlington won the overall County Award. Out of 6 merit awards awarded, Laois got two with Mountrath and Rathdowney being successful towns.
Boyle, County Roscommon took the National Enterprise town Award.
Well done to all of the towns who took part.
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Parking Tag launched in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick
Laois County Council is pleased to announce the launch of Parking Tag in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.
Parking Tag is the fast and convenient way to pay for parking. Parking Tag will allow customers to pay for parking using the Park by Text facility or the parking app provided by Parking Tag.
No more searching for change and you can extend your parking time without returning to the parking meter if you are delayed.
Parking Tag is available to use with any mobile network and registration is free.
For more information log onto www.parkingtag.ie
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New Laois Heritage Trails app launched
A new multi-lingual app to the heritage sites of Laois has been launched, as part of the Ireland’s Ancient East programme. The app contains audio-guides to the sites of the Laois Heritage Trail and Laois Monastic Trail in English, Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, and is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Hilary Creedon of Fáilte Ireland, and Roisin Burke, Abarta Heritage with Cllr. John King at Donaghmore Workhouse Museum for the launch of the new Laois Heritage Trails audioguides and smartphone app.
Picture: Alf HarveyDetails of the new app, and the new short films telling the story of Laois heritage, are here.
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Laois Age Friendly
LAOIS AIMS TO BE AN AGE FRIENDLY COUNTYThe Laois Age Friendly County Strategy 2016-2021 is an initiative designed to create a county where older people are valued and respected. It seeks to improve the quality of lives of people over the age of 55 in County Laois. This strategy is being implemented by the Laois County Age Friendly Alliance. This Alliance is an inter-agency group, led by Laois County Council. This is part of a national Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme spear headed by Age Friendly Ireland.
