There is a huge range of events registered for National Heritage Week 2022 (13 – 21 August 2022), and everyone in Laois is being encouraged to take part.
Laois Events
The event guide for Laois is now available to download, and hard copies will be in Laois Branch Libraries soon. If you would like to receive your hard copy in the post, send us an email with your postal address, to heritage@lasoicoco.ie. Check out our interactive map of events for Laois.
Week at a Glance
Check out what’s happening each day for Heritage week in our “Week at a Glance Guide” (click the image to enlarge). Please note some events have been added since the printed guide was published, and the Donaghmore Workhouse Open Day has been changed from Sunday 14th to Sunday 21st August at 2pm. many events are weather dependant – please check with organisers before setting off.
Heritage Week gives us the opportunity each year to revel in the best of the built and natural heritage of our County, whether it is attending a talk, going for a guided walk or visiting a local heritage site. This is just the beginning though. Most of the Heritage sites celebrated during Heritage Week are open all year-round. The museums of the County, many built heritage sites and wildlife areas are all there to be explored at any time. For more information on heritage in Laois or to find out about events and updates for the rest of the year, check out Laois Heritage Forum on Facebook or Twitter.
National Heritage Week is your opportunity to explore and learn more about Ireland’s natural heritage and helping to conserve and preserve it for the future. Heritage Week in Laois is coordinated by Laois Heritage Officer. National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council and its aim is to build awareness and education about our heritage, encouraging its understanding and conservation.
Biodiversity Week will be celebrated across Ireland from May 16th to 22nd and a range of events and resources are available for anyone in Laois with an interest in learning about the natural world.
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “National Biodiversity Week is all about connecting people with nature. It’s about communicating the importance of biodiversity and motivating people to play their part in protecting it. Here in Laois we are hoping that people will have some fun, and that will inspire them to learn more about the natural world around us and how we can help it”.
Swifts
In Laois, anyone with an interest in urban birds is invited to a walk to explore swifts with Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland, meeting at the Stradbally Market House at 7pm on Tuesday 17th May. The walk will end at the library and will be followed at 8pm by a Dusk Chorus walk with Des Finnamore of BirdWatch Ireland Laois Branch.
The swift walk is part of an ongoing commitment to swifts by Laois County Council which has seen swift nest boxes installed in public buildings across the county, following the survey of swifts in Laois in2018, and with the support of the Heritage Council and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
The most recent action for swifts in Laois has seen swift bricks installed during the construction of the new library in Portlaoise, with the help of BirdWatch Ireland. Bernie Foran, County Librarian said “We were delighted to work with BirdWatch Ireland to provide suitable habitat for swifts to nest in our new library. The historic centre of Portlaoise is a stronghold for these birds, and having had nest boxes on the existing library, we were aware of how important it is to provide for them in the new building. We were grateful to Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland for his advice and support in installing the swift bricks at the new library site”
With swift boxes at the new library in Portlaoise. From left: Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran; Gerry Browne, Portlaoise Tidy Towns; Ricky Whelan, BirdWatch Ireland; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer and Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer, Portlaoise Municipal District Roads Office. Picture: Alf Harvey
Ricky Whelan, Swift Project Officer with of BirdWatch Ireland said “It’s fantastic to see Laois County Council and local communities collaborate to help this charismatic and endangered bird. The swift bricks installed at Portlaoise Library will increase nesting opportunities for swifts in the area and we hope that this this have a positive impact on the population locally”.
The swift project is just one of a number of biodiversity projects ongoing in Portlaoise, as the town’s “Town in a Garden” project goes from strength to strength. Gerry Browne, Chair of Portlaoise Tidy Towns said “we have already done a lot of planting for biodiversity in Portlaoise, including pollinator-friendly planting on our roundabouts and roadsides, and the planting of 10,000 native trees. This year we are working on a three year biodiversity plan for the town, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of that in the years to come”.
Wildlife in Buildings
The focus on wildlife living closely alongside humans continues with an online talk on wildlife in buildings with John Lusby of BirdWatch Ireland on Wednesday 18th May, starting at 8pm. The talk celebrates the launch of a new book and documentary on the topic, created by BirdWatch Ireland in partnership with Heritage Officers from Laois, Tipperary, Clare and Donegal County Council and the Biodiversity Office of Kerry County Council.
Wildlife in buildings can often be harmed during works due to a lack of awareness of their presence or indeed knowledge of how plan renovations and works in order to avoid disturbance, which is usually always possible. The loss of old stone structures due to demolition, dilapidation or renovation is linked to declines in species such as Barn Owl and Swift, which are dependent on these structures. Modern buildings do not provide the same opportunities for wildlife. However, there is a lot that we can do to improve modern buildings for wildlife to ensure that we continue to make space for nature. The new book can be downloaded and the film viewed here.
Resources for Children, Schools and Families
The Heritage Office of Laois County Council has focused on producing high quality material for children and schools as well as for adults in recent years and all of this material is free to download from our website at www.laois.ie/nature, including –
Gardening for Biodiversity book and colouring book by Juanita Browne
Saving Swifts and Wildlife in Buildings books by BirdWatch Ireland
Guides to building nest-boxes for birds and bats, from BirdWatch Ireland
“Wild things at School” book and worksheets by Eanna Ní Lamhna
Nature Activity sheets for kids by Reconnect with Nature
A video guide to bird song for young people by Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland
“In your Nature” Podcast by BirdWatch Ireland
“Spring into Nature” worksheets
Radio clips with nature tips, from Midlands 103
Anna and Sarah Rothwell pictured at the launch of the 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
These resources were produced with the support of the Heritage Council, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Creative Ireland Laois and Healthy Ireland.
Details of all events and resources for Biodiversity Week in Laois are available at www.laois.ie/nature.
The successful “Know your Locality” course has finished its second booked out run in Laois with a field trip to discover the hidden secrets of the Rock of Dunamase. The free online course introduced participants to the heritage of Ireland, and introduced them to the wide range of online sources that would allow them to paint for themselves a picture of the geological, archaeological, and historical events that happened in their own local area.
Archaeologist Stephen Mandal from the Irish Heritage School leading a field trip at the Rock of Dunamase looking at the geology, landscape, archaeology and history as part of Know Your Locality. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said: “We were delighted to be working again with the Irish Heritage School to bring this course to everyone with interest in the built, natural and cultural Heritage of Laois. During recent lockdowns we have all become more aware of the beauty and value of our own local place, and this course taps into that. We hope it will equip people with the tools they need to research their locality and look at their own patch with new eyes. We are really grateful for the support of Creative Ireland in Laois, which allows us to bring this course to the public for free.”
Archaeologist Stephen Mandal from the Irish Heritage School leading a field trip at the Rock of Dunamase looking at the geology, landscape, archaeology and history as part of Know Your Locality. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The course was delivered through five online tutorials, starting by looking at the very bedrock under our feet, examining the geological processes and glacial events that shaped the landscape and formed the soils. The course then examined the impacts of humans on that landscape over time, from pre-history to the last century. Workshops focussed on a different aspect of geology, the landscape and archaeology of Laois each week, from the formation of Ireland to the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, with a focus on each workshop on teaching online research skills.
Participants learned how to use these skills to make their own submission to the ‘Know Your 5k ’ initiative of the Heritage Council and National Museum of Ireland. Through this and other citizen scientist programmes, course participants can make a real contribution to the conservation of our heritage by recording what is in their local area, what the local community values and raising awareness of its importance.
Studying an archaeological artefact on a field trip at the Rock of Dunamase looking at the geology, landscape, archaeology and history as part of Know Your Locality. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The course ended with a field trip to the Rock of Dunamase, with the participants learning how to analyse a site in a holistic way, starting with the landscape and the rocks, to look for clues to how the area was formed and what might have led people to settle there. They learned about the arrival of the Anglo Normans to Ireland and the influence that William Marshall has had across all of Ireland, including Laois. All agreed it was a fitting end to an excellent course.
Archaeologist Stephen Mandal from the Irish Heritage School leading a field trip at the Rock of Dunamase looking at the geology, landscape, archaeology and history as part of Know Your Locality. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The course was organised by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council with support from Creative Ireland as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 and was delivered by Dr Stephen Mandal, of the Irish Heritage School.
The Festival of Flight is shaping up to be a major event in Laois, with plans for arts and science workshops, talks, music and historic plane fly-overs. The event which takes place in Portlaoise from the 7th to the 10th of April, will celebrate the rich history of flight in Laois.
Grace and Millie Fennelly at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise for the launch of the new Festival of Flight being held in Laois from Thursday 7 April until Sunday 10 April. Picture: Alf Harvey.
One of the main events of the weekend will be a live performance of the Impossible Dream, the piece composed by Martin Tourish and the young musicians of the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra to celebrate the life and achievements of the Portlaoise Aviator James Fitzmaurice. The piece will be performed as part of a special event at St Peter’s Church of Ireland Church in Portlaoise starting at 3pm on Saturday 9th April and will also feature talks on the history and future of aviation and exploration in Laois and Ireland and a special performance by poet Laura Murphy. Tickets for the event are priced at €10 and are available via the Dunamaise Arts Centre, www.dunamaise.ie.
Programme of events
Thursday 7th April
Schools workshops on the art and science of flight
Premiere online of the new video “Science at Home by Midlands Science, featuring the Portlaoise Plane
Friday 8th April
Schools workshops on the art and science of flight
Aircraft Professional Technical Networking Meeting, Bloom HQ Mountrath
Saturday 8th April
Free family workshops on “Flights of Fancy” at the Dunamaise Arts Centre – see Dunamaise.ie for booking
“The Impossible Dream” Concert with Martin Tourish and the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, featuring talks and poetry. 3pm St Peter’s Church of Ireland Church, Portlaoise, see www.dunamaise.ie for booking
Sunday 9th April
Wreath laying ceremony and historic planes flyover (subject to weather), 12 mid-day Fitzmaurice Place Portlaoise
Portlaoise Plane on display, Fitzmaurice Place from 11am to 3pm
Committee members, from left: Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Louise Fennelly, secretary; Ralph James, former GOC Irish Air Corps; Teddy Fennelly, chairman and Michael Parsons, Laois Heritage at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise for the launch of the new Festival of Flight being held in Laois from Thursday 7 April until Sunday 10 April. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Teddy Fennelly, Chair of the Colonel James Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, organisers of the festival said “We are so happy to share our love for flight and aviation with the public through this Festival. Portlaoise and Laois have so much to be proud of in the achievements of Col Fitzmaurice and the building of the Portlaoise Plane, we think the story deserves to be better known and we hope this festival l will fire up the enthusiasm and imagination of Ireland’s next generation of young explorers. We are particularly happy that our friends in the Irish Air Corps will be involved again this year – in this the centenary year of the foundation of the Air Corps, the links between Portlaoise and the Air Corps are continuing to strengthen”
Schools and Family Workshops
As part of the festival, Portlaoise schools have been offered the opportunity to book free workshops looking at all aspects of flight, from how butterflies wings work to how super-heroes fly. Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “We are delighted to deliver science based workshops, exploring the science of flight, and at the other end of the spectrum we want to really open up everyone’s imagination to the creative and playful side of flight, with arts workshops supported by Creative Ireland Laois. We are allocating workshops to the schools that have applied at the moment and we will also have a workshop for home-schooling families, and public workshops at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Saturday 9th April as part of the Festival. We really want to inspire children & young people to creatively and imaginatively respond to the theme of ‘flight’. All details are on the festival website, www.laois.ie/festivalofflight”.
Eva Cahill flying her kite at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise for the launch of the new Festival of Flight being held in Laois from Thursday 7 April until Sunday 10 April. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee
The Festival of Flight is led by the Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, which is made up of Teddy Fennelly, Alan Phelan, Michael Parsons, Louise Cahill, PJ Kavanagh, Ralph James, Sean Murray and Catherine Casey. The event is being run in partnership with Laois County Council, Laois Heritage Society, Music Generation Laois, the Dunamaise Arts Centre and Midlands Science, and is supported by the Heritage Council and Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 in partnership with Laois County Council.
Bobby and Eva Cahill at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise for the launch of the new Festival of Flight being held in Laois from Thursday 7 April until Sunday 10 April. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Local Authority Heritage Officers Network invites you to a new series of Climate Action webinars. Join us for four one-hour sessions every Thursday, starting on 27th January at 9.30am.
You will hear about positive actions for climate from the heritage sector. Topics will include nature-based solutions, adaptation of heritage structures, risk assessment and will focus on methods that we hope will ignite action for climate right across the country.
Malcom Noonan, Minister for State for Heritage will launch the first seminar this Thursday. Paddy Woodworth, journalist will chair this webinar entitled “Embedding Climate in Heritage”. This webinar focuses on how we work to embed the climate crisis, and mitigation and adaptation approaches into the heritage agenda.
“Despite our heritage being a source of inspiration, livelihoods and significance, it is often missing in discussions on climate change…”.
– Dr. Kate Crowley, PCAN, Edinburgh.
This webinar focuses on how we work to embed the climate crisis, and mitigation and adaptation approaches into the heritage agenda. Our first webinar chair is Paddy Woodworth, author and journalist.
“Peatlands are an outstanding example of nature-based solutions and should be high on the political agenda…We must make peatland protection a more central part of our climate policy.”
– Global Peatlands Initiative at COP26.
Wetlands and peatlands are super solutions for climate, due to their important role for both climate mitigation in absorbing carbon and adaptation by providing many ecosystem services.
Our webinar chair today is Dr Martina Maloney, Chairperson of the Heritage Council.
Nature is “one of the most effective ways” of combatting climate change.
– Inger Andersen, UNEP.
Nature-based solutions are actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems. They address societal challenges, thereby simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.
Our webinar chair today is Claire Cooper, Assistant Principal, Science & Biodiversity Unit, NPWS.
“Real success can only come if there is a change in our societies and in our economics and in our politics.”
– David Attenborough.
Local Authorities work with communities, landowners and politicians to create improved understanding and engagement with our places through the lenses of heritage and biodiversity. A sense of rootedness in a community helps stabilise society and allows actions to be taken for the common good.
Our webinar chair today is Sean McKeown, Director of Services, Kilkenny County Council and member of CCMA Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee.
This seminar series is organised by the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network. Local Authority Heritage Officers play a key role in promoting heritage awareness, developing policy and providing advice and information on local as well as national heritage issues.
County Heritage Officers are employed by Local Authorities in partnership with the Heritage Council under the auspices of the Heritage Officer Programme, which was initiated in 1999. The programme celebrated 20 years in 2019. As of 1st September 2021, there is now a Heritage Officer employed in each Local Authority. More information on the network is here.
‘New Approaches to Climate Change’ is a series of free online talks over four weeks starting Wednesday, February 24. The series presents a range of international speakers who challenge how we perceive planet Earth and our collective responsibility as citizens to preserve and protect it. The series is curated by Dr. Niamh Shaw, science communicator in residence in Abbeyleix and is aimed at those with a general interest in climate change and all are welcome. Niamh has a background in science and engineering a wealth of experience in theatre and live speaking and holds the serious ambition to travel in space as a citizen and an artist. Since last September, she has been finding creative ways to engage people in Abbeyleix and the wider area to consider their role in climate action – what is it, and what can we all do about it. This role is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme [2017-2022] in partnership with Laois County Council and Midlands Science, and in association with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns.
Dr. Niamh Shaw said, “The aim of the Climate Speaker Series is to give our local community a taste of some of the really interesting science and research taking place across the globe- from the desert to the poles, and from psychological and systemic impact, climate change is being explored from so many differing points of view. And everyone is working together to find manageable solutions to create a positive climate future and an impact that we as individuals can have on climate change.”
Climate Speakers & Topics
The Climate Speakers series of talks begins on Wednesday February 24 at 7pm with two short talks championing women in science and leadership who are passionate about sharing accessible solutions to climate change. Madeleine Murray presents ‘ Sustainability – individual and systemic action to future-proof our world’. Madeleine Murray is co-founder of the Kinsale-based Change by Degrees, a company co-founded with environmentalist Dr. Tara Shine. The mission of Change by Degrees is to provide sustainability leadership and inspiration for people and organisations. She is an archaeologist by training with experience in research, editing and writing at the School of Archaeology, U.C.D. and the National Museum of Ireland. She is passionate about making complex information accessible and helping businesses to create and tell their sustainability stories.
On the same evening Dr. Niamh Shaw presents ‘How Space teaches us to be better Earth citizens’. In 2017 Niamh participated in a simulated Mars mission that changed forever her way of life, embracing a new approach to sustainability. Niamh is the science communicator in residence for the Abbeyleix Climate Action project, with a deep passion to share the perspective of Earth from space. She recently joined Homeward Bound, a global transformational leadership initiative for women with a background in science and a passion for climate action. As part of this leadership programme, she joins 100 women on an Antarctic expedition in 2022.
On Wednesday March 3rd at 7pm, Sally Weintrobe’s talk “Working through our feelings about the climate emergency” will explore common feelings many of us share about the current state of the climate and the environment; also, what can help us bear these feelings so we can better address the damage and push for change. Sally is a psychoanalyst, working on climate and the environment. She is a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society, a founder member of the Climate Psychology Alliance and she chairs the International Psychoanalytic Association’s Committee on Climate. Her new book, “Psychological Roots of the Climate Crisis” is available this April.
Sally Weintrobe’s book “The Psychological roots of the Climate Crisis” is due out this year
On Wednesday March 10 at 7pm, Dr. Anna Maria Trofaier from the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Office will talk about “Using Space for climate change: Satellites that monitor our planet’s health”. Anna Maria oversees the sea ice, snow and glaciers projects within the ESA Climate Change Initiative to ensure delivery of technical requirements. She is currently working on developing a Massive Open Online Course on the cryosphere. She has a background in physics and remote sensing, with a focus on polar regions and initially joined the ESA Climate Office as a research fellow.
Dr Anna Maria Trofaier of the European Space Agency
On Thursday, March 18 at 7pm, LIVE from Biosphere 2, Arizona, John Adams & Kai Staats’s talk is “Seeking Earth from Space: Biosphere 2, simulated Mars analogue facilities and what we can learn about sustainability and climate action”. Originally constructed to demonstrate the viability of closed ecological systems to support human life in outer space, Biosphere 2 is now a research facility of the University of Arizona where scientists use the 3-acre site to carry out controlled experiments and study climate, water, energy and sustainability.
Biosphere 2 in Arizona
Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, Catherine Casey said, “Climate change is the most important issue facing humanity and this series of talks curated by Dr. Niamh Shaw provides a range of perspectives on individual and collective responses and research. We hope that these international stories will inform and inspire action we all take at a very local level within our own communities and county”.
Speaking about the involvement of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in the series, Chairman Robbie Quinn said “We are delighted that our Climate Action project is involved in this series of talks curated by Dr. Niamh Shaw. Hosting this panel of international speakers, it affords us an opportunity to reflect on our local climate action efforts, explore the global context of climate change and then pool this expertise back into our community activities. One of the benefits of this pandemic has been the opportunity to connect with panellists of this calibre, something that probably would not have occurred outside of this unusual time in the world.”
Robbie Quinn, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Mark Clancy, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Mary White, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Ann Lawlor, Creative Ireland Laois and Dr Fiona MacGowan, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in Abbeyleix during the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project . Picture: Alf Harvey.
Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science said “The upcoming climate change speakers series provides a unique opportunity for us all to hear from and dialogue with leading voices from fields as diverse as ecology and psychology on issues relating to climate change. Midlands Science is delighted to be involved in this this project which has focused on the local actions in Abbeyleix and is now bringing global voices to the area through the upcoming speaker series. It’s great to see people connecting on this vital issue and engaging with the science that such issues involve.”
The “New Approaches to Climate Change” series will be livestreamed on the Laois Heritage Forum Facebook Page. No registration or pre-booking is required, and all are welcome. Questions or comments can be submitted in advance to heritage@laoiscoco.ie, or posed on the night during the livestream.
The series is part of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project, supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme [2017-2022] in partnership with Laois County Council and Midlands Science, and in association with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns.
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
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 theme for Heritage Week this year is “Sharing Stories” and with over 70 events registered for Laois so far, this year promises to be one of the best yet. The full guide to all the fun, family events happening across Laois for Heritage Week – Saturday August 18th and Sunday August 26th – is now available to download. .
From the story of our waterways at Vicarstown to old coins and measurements in Mountmellick, and from bats in the belfry in Timahoe to the story of our landscape seen in old maps, there is a great range of activities on show in the county this year.
Checking out the jewellery at Portarlington Library for the The Fingal Living History Society Viking period workshop as part of Heritage Week. Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie
The Libraries of Laois always put a great effort into Heritage Week and this year is no exception, with free events in most of the Libraries of the County, ranging from straw craft for adults and children and genealogy to exploring the stories of our history and wildlife with Michael Moylan of Irish History Live and Dale Treadwell of Naturally Wild. All of the library events are free, but most require booking, so please do contact your branch as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Events at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for Heritage Week include the launch of the Wolfhill Mining Project on Wednesday 22nd, and on Saturday 18th August, “What good is looking well when you’re rotten on the inside?” a fascinating play by Emma O’Grady based on the writings of her grandfather, a Civil Servant from Mountrath.
Wildlife events include an update on the Laois Swift Survey and the fate of the dipper, by BirdWatch Ireland, an exploration of the Grand Canal and Garryhinch Woods with the Irish Wildlife Trust, a beekeeping demo and nature walk in Emo Court, a bat walk in Timahoe, and a tour of the wildlife of Portlaoise. Our native bees are well looked after again this year, with this year’s Pollinator Party taking place in Mountrath,
The Stradbally Woodland Express Steam Train , in full Steam on Sunday last -as part of Heritage Week. Photo : Michael Scully
Other highlights of the week will include the Bulfin Heritage Cycle across the county, with participants in period costume on High Nelly bikes, the ever-popular stream trains in Stradbally Woods and the chance to experience sunset on the Rock of Dunamase.
There are open days in Stradbally Hall, and the gardens of Abbey Leix Estate, farm heritage walks on at Ballykilcavan and Castlewood, guided tours of Portlaoise and Abbeyleix, and local community photography exhibitions in Portarlington and Mountmellick.
There really is a great range of events planned and the week is a great opportunity to get out and discover your own local heritage, and maybe share a story or two with neighbours or visitors!
Heritage Week is co-ordinated locally by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council, and at national level by the Heritage Council. Details of all events happening across the country are at www.heritageweek.ie.
