Laois County Council

Tag: commemoration

  • Major event and exhibition celebrate Portlaoise’s Aviation History

    Major event and exhibition celebrate Portlaoise’s Aviation History

    A major new exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in October will salute Colonel James Fitzmaurice, the Irish airman affectionately known as ‘Fitz’, who flew into aviation history by co-piloting the first aeroplane to successfully cross the Atlantic in a westerly direction.

    The 90th anniversary of the momentous flight will be marked with a weekend of events in Portlaoise, starting with a celebration evening at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday 5th October, including the formal opening of the exhibition, presentations on the flight and the people behind it, and screening of archive footage.

    The following day, October 6th, will see a fly-past in Portlaoise with historic aircraft by members of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation, established in 2014 to promote the historical aspects of aviation in the State. The fly past will use historic “chipmunk” aircraft, and the event will also feature a guard of honour and wreath laying in memory of the aviators at County Hall, Portlaoise. Fitzmaurice Place – named in honour of Col Fitzmaurice – is currently being upgraded as part of the Heritage Council-funded urban regeneration works in the centre of historic Portlaoise.

    The exhibition of original artefacts from the flight and new works in response to the achievement will be curated by artist, Brendon Deacy, at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for the month of October, in recognition of Fitzmaurice’s accomplishment. Relatives of all three of the courageous adventurers have enthusiastically accepted invitations to attend the Portlaoise events.

    The commemorations have been spearheaded by Teddy Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society, who literally wrote the book on the subject “Fitz and the Famous Flight” and has supplied memorabilia for display as well as acting as historical advisor to the commemorations.

    Teddy Fennelly selecting historical items for the new Fitzmaurice exhibition with curator Brendon Deacy
    Teddy Fennelly selecting historical items for the new Fitzmaurice exhibition with curator Brendon Deacy

    First East-West Transatlantic Flight

    On the 12th of April 1928, the ‘Bremen’ took off from Baldonnell Aerodrome outside Dublin with a crew of three: Fitz, Captain Hermann Köhl and Baron Von Huenefeld. Thirty-six hours later the world changed as they landed on Greenly Island, Canada.

     

    Fitz’s thrilling life story, from his formative years in Laois to his fearless flight and legacy, is told through original artefacts, information-panels and short films designed and curated by Artist Brendon Deacy.

     

    The international dimension of the flight is being celebrated as well, with relatives of the German aviators, and representatives of flying clubs in Bremen in Northern Germany scheduled to attend.

     

    In April of this year a Laois delegation made up of then Cathaoirleach Padraig Fleming, author Teddy Fennelly, Heritage Officer Catherine Casey, artist Brendon Deacy and MDA Manager Patrick Buggy attended the ninetieth anniversary celebrations of the flight in Bremen, where the original aircraft has been restored and is on public display. Since then, close links have been developed with representatives from across Germany, in celebrating the joint Irish German achievement.

    Laois delegation with the “Bremen”, first plane to fly the Atlantic from East to West, in Bremen Airport, April 2018

    European Year of Cultural Heritage

    Michael Parsons, Chair of the Heritage Council, who is on the Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, said “in this European Year of Cultural Heritage, it is fitting that the aviation heritage of Ireland and Germany is being commemorated in this co-operative way. The theme of the European Year is connecting local communities with their heritage, and the Fitzmaurice commemoration is a great example of how these connections are being made across Europe. The Heritage Council is delighted to be able to support the events and the exhibition”.

    Artist Brendon Deacy photographs the “Bremen” for his exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in October

    Booking

    Attendance at the events on 5th and 6th October is free and all are welcome. For more information on the event and to reserve your ticket, please contact the Dunamaise Arts Centre, 057 866 3355, www.dunamaise.ie. Brendon Deacy’s exhibition runs at the Dunamaise Arts Centre from October 1st to 25th.

     

    The commemoration of Col Fitzmaurice and the first East- West Transatlantic flight are supported by Laois County Council, the Heritage Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Heritage Society and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. This is a project of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

      Heritage Council Logo

     

  • Huge Crowd attends commemoration of Sgt Jack Moyney in Rathdowney

    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)
    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
    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)
    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)
    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)
    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
    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
    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)
    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)
    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)
    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)
    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)