The Abbeyleix Climate Action Project has been awarded the prestigious Supporting Sustainable Communities award in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards.
The project saw Laois County Council creatively engaging the community of Abbeyleix with the topic of climate change. Artist and Science Communicator Niamh Shaw was appointed with the support of Creative Ireland and Midlands Science to work with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns for six months, examining aspects of climate change, making videos of work already ongoing, hosting online discussion panels featuring local speakers and international experts, organising interactive citizen science workshops, and building capacity and confidence in the members on science communication and digital storytelling.
Congratulating the team involved with the project, Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council said “The Excellence in Local Government Awards showcase best practice in local government and recognise the skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised. I am delighted to congratulate the team involved with this project in Laois County Council and within the community in Abbeyleix, for the tremendous work done on this creative project. The past year has continued to provide new challenges as we learn to adapt the way we live and work during a pandemic and I think the way this project delivered so many different digital and online events and outputs really sets it apart from other projects”.
Pictured with the trophy awarded to the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project and Laois County Council as winners of the Sustainable Communities prize in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2021. From left: Robbie Quinn, chairman Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Mary White, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Dr Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence for the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project; Cllr Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of LCC; Angela McEvoy, A/Director of Services Housing, Regeneration and Planning LCC; Dr Fiona MacGowan, Ecologist and advisor to Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and Cllr John Joe Fennelly, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022, in partnership with the Heritage Office of Laois County Council, Midlands Science and Abbeyleix Tidy Towns. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Supporting Sustainable Communities award seeks to recognise projects by Local Authorities that promote social awareness and work with communities to involve them in making their localities a better place in which to live and work. This category celebrates initiatives which promote sustainable communities, development of the community or contribute to improved quality of life in an area.
Welcoming the award Robbie Quinn, Chair of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns said “The impact of the project has been that the members of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns are highly engaged with the issue and there has been an increase in awareness of climate change among the wider community too. We have a bank of over 20 video clips on everything from sustainable travel and food waste to climate anxiety and monitoring the impacts of climate change. It has also resulted in the installation of air quality sensors in the town and the creation of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk, a walk with QR links to animated video clips, so we have a legacy remaining on the ground from the project too”
Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Catherine Fitzgerald MCC performing the launch of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk in 2021, with members of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, Dr Fiona MacGowan, Jackie Walsh, Cllr John Joe Fennelly, Mary White, Mark Clancy and Robbie Quinn, chairman along with Laois Heritage Officer Catherine Casey, Suzanne Dempsey, LCC-Community and Julie Scully, LCC Healthy Ireland co-ordinator at the launch of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Climate Action Project was supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and Midlands Science. The Climate Action Walk was created thanks to the support of Healthy Ireland, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal, administered by Laois County Council.
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.
The Community Monuments Fund will have €5 million in 2022 to invest in archaeological heritage and help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.
Old St Peter’s Church and Graveyard in Portlaoise benefitted from funding under the Community Monuments Fund in 2021
Core Aims of the Fund
The core aims of this Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. It will:
enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support
build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change
encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.
Project promoters are encouraged to incorporate a traditional skills training element in projects.
Streams 1-3
The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:
Stream 1 will offer grants up to €85,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments (including COVID 19 public health measures).
Eligible Projects
The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:
Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended)
Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.
Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories:
projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership , where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated
projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit
projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.
Killabban Medieval Church was conserved by the community the the help of the Community Monuments Fund in 2020 and 2021
How to Apply
Application Form A below should be submitted to Laois County Council by Tuesday 15th February 2022.
Laois County Council in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage is inviting applications for grants for the conservation of architectural heritage and archaeological monuments in 2022
Community Monuments Fund 2022
The Community Monuments Fund will enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change; encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation. The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams relating to conservation works, conservation plans, and improving access and interpretation.
The closing date for applications under the Community Monuments Fund is 15th February 2022.
Applications to Laois County Council are invited for the following schemes:
Historic Structures Fund:
Stream 1: Grants from €15,000 to €50,000 for essential repairs and smaller capital works, with separate streams for Historic Shopfronts, Irish language Shopfronts and Vernacular Structures.
Stream 2: Grants from €50,000 to €200,000 for larger projects involving historic structures, with a clear community or public benefit
Built Heritage Investment Scheme:
For ongoing repair and conservation of properties on the Record of Protected Structures or within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). Grants at 50% ranging from €2,500 to €15,000.
All works must be planned and overseen by qualified and experienced conservation professionals. Applications must be accompanied by a Method Statement. Applicants cannot avail of funding under both schemes in the same year.
The closing date for applications under Architectural Conservation Grant schemes is 31st January 2022.
Doreen McPaul, Attorney General of the Navajo nation, visited Mountmellick this week with her family to explore her Laois Roots.
Doreen McPaul, Art Hobson, Denise Hobson Ryan with Paddy Buggy of Mountmellick Webmill Digital Hub and Trudy Carmody of Experiencing Ireland during the family’s recent visit to Mountmellick. (Photo Courtesy Doreen McPaul)
Ms McPaul, who was in Ireland to receive a Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from President Michael D. Higgins, stopped off in Mountmellick on a whistle-stop tour of family in Ireland and was shown around by Trudy Carmody of Experiencing Ireland and Paddy Buggy, Manager of Webmill Digital Hub Mountmellick.
Speaking after she received the award for charitable work with the Irish Cultural Centre and McClelland Library in Phoenix, Arizona in raising funds for members of the Navajo Nation impacted by Covid 19, Ms McPaul said “For the first time in my lifetime my two cultures were intertwined in the most beautiful way … I was so proud to be Navajo and so proud to be Irish.”
Doreen McPaul receiving Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad from President Michael D. Higgins (Photo Courtesy Doreen McPaul)
Trudy Carmody, an active member of Laois Tour Guides Forum had contacted Ms McPaul last year and offered to help her trace her Laois family, following a press report about the family’s Mountmellick connections.
Trudy said “genealogy is such an important way for members of the Irish diaspora to connect with their roots and we were delighted to help Doreen trace her father’s family. I was so touched to meet Doreen with her Dad Art Hobson and sister Denise on their visit and look forward to showing them around more of Laois on their next trip home to Ireland”.
Local TD and former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan on this remarkable story.
“The life story of Doreen McPaul is truly remarkable, and her presence and her distinguished award is fully deserved. I am delighted she took the time to visit Mountmellick and her ancestors and I would hope she will return soon.
The fact that the Attorney General for the Navajo Nation can claim Mountmellick heritage proves beyond doubt that the Irish footprint is everywhere and truly global. “
Traditional Navajo necklace presented to Trudy Carmody by Doreen McPaul, Attorney General of the Navajo Nation during her visit to Mountmellick. (Photo courtesy Trudy Carmody)
Paddy Buggy, Manager of Webmill Digital Hub in Mountmellick said “Mountmellick Development Association were delighted to welcome Doreen McPaul, her sister Denise and father Art Hobson to visit our museum as they learned more about their ancestral home. We look forward to welcoming them back in the near future to meet with the ladies responsible for our marvellous museum.”
Writing on Facebook Ms McPaul said “Our Quaker & Kerr roots are tied to Mountmellick, Ireland in County Laois. Divine intervention connected us to Trudy Carmody. Our great-great grandparents were neighbours here. Small Irish world! She & Paddy kept the museum open late for us tonight and treated us extra kind. Super special unplanned stop in this amazing town. Would love to spend much more time here…next trip!”
Caragh Burns-Sharma, Chair of Laois Tourism said “Congratulations to Ms Mc Paul on her richly deserved award and well done to Trudy Carmody on her ever fantastic research and connection building. Welcoming tourists to Laois and helping them discover the story of their ancestral roots in Ireland is a key part of our tourism offering. Our visiting diaspora often become frequent repeat visitors which is a huge opportunity for our sector.”
Genealogy forms an important part of the Irish Tourism industry, with increasing numbers of people tracing their Irish family roots with the help of organisations like Experiencing Ireland and Mountmellick Museum. While a huge array of information is now available online, many visitors welcome the personal approach offered by a genealogist and tour-guide like Trudy to help them to really connect with the home place of their ancestors.
Laois County Library Service and Laois Heritage Office are delighted to announce that work is commencing on the Ronnie Mathews Archive Collection. The collection, acquired earlier this year by Laois County Council, was compiled by the late Ronnie Mathews, a well-known and highly respected local historian and author from Portarlington. The collection contains records and artefacts relating to the history of Portarlington and environs including maps, photographs, business records and much more. It reflects the original collector’s knowledge and passion for local history, from the earliest times to recent years.
With items from the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Orla Connaughton, Archivist; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian; Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Dom Reddin, LCC Tourism Officer and Sinead Holland, LCC Librarian Local Studies. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
With items from the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Orla Connaughton, Archivist; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian; Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Dom Reddin, LCC Tourism Officer and Sinead Holland, LCC Librarian Local Studies. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
This important local collection will now be processed in conjunction with Eneclann, Ireland’s leading history and heritage company. Professional archivist, Orlagh Connaughton, will list, describe and physically reorganise the collection contents to facilitate future access and display. This collaboration between Laois Heritage Office and Laois County Library Service is supported by Creative Ireland Laois, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Tim Mathews, son of the late Ronnie Mathews said “I think it’s great news that a start is being made on archiving my Dad’s collection. He was born and lived all of his life in Portarlington, and loved the town, and spent over half of his lifetime collecting and researching items relevant to the town and county. He would be very proud and honoured by Laois County Council’s acquisition of his collection. Everything in the collection is original, be it maps, letters, photos, postcards, etc., and many items are well over 100 years old. Archiving these material and preparing them for future display to the public will give people an insight into life in the town over the last few centuries.”
With the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Sinead Holland, LCC Librarian Local Studies; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer and Dom Reddin, LCC Tourism Officer. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
With the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Sinead Holland, LCC Librarian Local Studies; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer and Dom Reddin, LCC Tourism Officer. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Ronnie Mathews collected documents, maps and artefacts relating to Portarlington over his whole life, with the collection also including some items collected by his father. JT Mathews, established in 1866, was a bakery, confectionary, tea rooms, hardware and general provisions, and was in business for over 130 years. Ledgers and account books from the business shed a fascinating light on many aspects of life in Portarlington in the past and are also part of the collection. Among the interesting artefacts are a series of glass plate negatives showing all aspects of Irish life dating from around 1910; a cannon ball reputed to be from the site of Lea Castle outside Portarlington; and a hand painted chess board with the crest of the Dawson family of Emo Court. Materials also include a map of Patrick Street dated 1889 and a large collection of postcards by Wynne of Portarlington -showing Portlaoise (formerly known as Maryborough), Mountmellick, Monasterevin and more.
Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran said “Acquiring archives is an important first step in preventing loss of memory, but processing of archives is an essential step in ensuring that memory is shared and lives on. By processing the collection to the highest archival standards, Laois County Library Service ensures that this remarkable local collection can be accessed by this generation and preserved for the generations to come.”
With the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian and Orla Connaughton, Archivist. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
With the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian and Orla Connaughton, Archivist. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Over the coming months the collection will be carefully archived and catalogued, and arrangements made for any necessary conservation, as well as preparing materials to be made available for research and for future display as part of Laois Local Studies.
Laois Local Studies was established to collect, preserve and make available for reference, material relating to the history and heritage of County Laois. It is home to the Laois Collection, a specialist collection on the local, social, political, economic and geographic history of the county. A dedicated member of staff is available to assist and support members of the public with their research and queries. The collection and service are open to all by appointment. Laois Local Studies is part of the Laois County Library Service, funded and governed by Laois County Council. Further information at www. laoislocalstudies.ie and/or 057 8594985.
The effigy of Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle was returned to Carlow Town on Wednesday October 13th, 2021 after a sojourn of approximately two hundred years in Portarlington, Co. Laois. For the last thirty years or so the effigy was on display in the People’s Park, Portarlington, Co. Laois. Over the past couple of years Carlow County Museum, operated by Carlow County Council, have coordinated the conservation of the 16th century effigy and its relocation back to Carlow Town and Hartpole now resides in Carlow County Museum.
Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle, High Sheriff of Carlow, and Laois in the 16th century died in 1594. As was his wish, he was laid to rest in the Church of the Blessed Lady the Virgin Mary in Carlow. This was the church associated with St Mary’s Abbey, which is placed by a number of sources somewhere between the present-day St Mary’s Church of Ireland church and the Castle Hill Centre. The remains of Carlow Town’s oldest graveyard are still to be found in this area.
The effigy (a carved likeness of a person) is cut from a single block of Co. Carlow limestone, depicting a knight in full armour. The knight’s head, now missing, was resting on a helmet, his hands are folded over his chest. A dog lies at the knight’s feet, whose head is also missing. A Latin inscription carved along the side of the effigy once read “Hic jacet Robartus Hartpoole, Conestabulrius de Catherlagh, Septuagenario maoir, interiit iii die Octobris 1594”, (translated to say: ‘Here lies Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow, he died on the 3rd day of October 1594, being more than a septuagenarian’. Some of the inscription still remains including the date 1594. This effigy was placed on top of his tomb.
The 16th century effigy of Robert Harpole, a national monument, receiving a steam cleaning in the People’s Park, Portarlington, Co. Laois, in advance of his move to Carlow County Museum. Photograph: Carlow County Museum.
The effigy was rediscovered in 1809 and was moved from Castle Hill to Oak Park, Carlow, to protect it. Sometime later in the 19th century it was moved by descendants from Carlow to Kilnacourt House, Portarlington, Co. Laois. This move was possibly undertaken by a canal boat as the River Barrow was a thriving business thoroughfare. In the mid-20th century, the effigy ended up in the possession of Laois County Council. They, with the assistance of local people displayed the effigy in the People’s Park under a roofed steel construction. Unfortunately, despite this public display, the effigy has suffered damage from anti-social behaviour, damage from its frequent relocations, its exposure to the weather, and the splitting and localised polishing of the stone. The effigy is also a recorded National Monument, LA005-032, and therefore comes under the protection of the National Monuments Acts 1930 – 2014.
Carlow County Museum, Members of Laois County Council, the Laois Heritage Office, the National Monuments Service, and the National Museum of Ireland, began to discuss what should be done to conserve the effigy and its long-term care. After commissioning a conservation report, and the agreement of all the agencies involved, it was decided that the effigy should be conserved and relocated to Carlow County Museum, a designated museum for the display and collecting of archaeological finds associated with Co. Carlow. The Museum is also located in the same town in which Robert was buried in 1594. Both the National Monuments Service and the National Museum of Ireland issued licences to allow the works to take place.
Earlier this year the Museum applied to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under their Community Monuments Fund 2021 grant scheme and was successful in receiving a grant to cover the conservation and relocation of the effigy. Gebel and Helling Stone Conservation, Cork, and Tipperary, were the appointed contractors and works took place in both Portarlington and Carlow County Museum from Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th of October. It was appropriate that they works took place in October as he died in October 1594. In Portarlington the effigy was treated and given a series of steam cleans to remove paint, graffiti, dirt, and organic growths. Then he was delicately separated from his concrete plinth and as he is now in two large sections, weighing up to 200kgs, he was mechanically lifted onto a large trailer for transport to Carlow. In Carlow County Museum a new plinth has been constructed to accommodate him and the stonemasons worked carefully to locate him onto his new plinth. Over the next while the display area around him will be enhanced to details his history and his conservation.
Ms Julia Gebel, Gebel and Helling Stone Conservation, injecting conservation resin into some fissures in the Robert Harpole Effigy. Photograph: Carlow County Museum.
Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator, Carlow County Museum, and project coordinator said “we are delighted to welcome back to Carlow Town, after nearly two hundred years, the effigy of Robert Hartpole. While he is a controversial character, he was the Constable of Carlow Castle, from hence he shaped and influenced our town and county during the 16th century. The effigy is a piece of our town’s heritage and a fantastic specimen of our local limestone and probably local craftsmanship. Its conservation and relocation has been a cooperative multi-agency approach with the care and conservation of the effigy remaining the priority throughout the process”.
Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, said “We were delighted to work with our colleagues in Carlow County Council, the National Museum and the National Monuments Service to restore this enormously valuable piece of Carlow heritage to its rightful home. The decision to display the effigy in the town park in Portarlington was taken many years ago and while it certainly saved the effigy from being lost forever, it was not an appropriate place to display such a sensitive monument. Hartpole had no connection to Portarlington, and a grave monument – especially that of a 16th century Knight – should be protected and presented to the public in a sensitive and responsible manner. This project has been a testament to the strong ties of co-operation that exist between Laois and Carlow and we look forward to continuing co-operation on a range of heritage issues. We are grateful to the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for their funding support for the conservation and relocation project, through the Community Monuments Fund.”
John Kelly, Editor of Carloviana, who has researched Hartpole and was anxious that the effigy be conserved said “the Robert Hartpole that emerges from history is rightly viewed as a rapacious land grabber, a ruthless soldier of severe temperament and having of a single-minded ambition to climb to the top of the social ladder. However, Hartpole also had a more enigmatic side. In common with other figures of the period he had ambiguous loyalties; he retained his Catholic faith, he married a Gaelic Irish woman, an O’Byrne from Tullow, and in at least one account is said to be a ‘maintainer of rebels’.”
The effigy of Robert Hartpole can be viewed on permanent display in Carlow County Museum where admission is free.
Robert Hartpole, Constable of Carlow Castle, High Sheriff of Carlow and Laois, now on permanent display in Carlow County Museum following his relocation and conservation through a multi-agency project. Photograph: Carlow County Museum.
The Local Authority Heritage Officer Network has launched a campaign to get people connected with nature, as part of the Government’s “Keep Well” Campaign.
A free booklet “Gardening for Biodiversity” has been produced and is available from the Laois Heritage Officer. Get your free copy by emailing heritage@laoiscoco.ie and also available to download at www.laois.ie/heritage.
National Campaign launched to get people connected with nature
The Local Authority Heritage Officer Network has launched a campaign to get people connected with nature, as part of the Government’s “Keep Well” Campaign.
A free booklet “Gardening for Biodiversity” has been produced and is available from all Local Authority Heritage Officers.
Catherine Casey Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “Spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. There are plenty of simple things that you can do to help nature in your garden or your locality this spring. Why not make a logpile, or leave a heap of leaves for hedgehogs and insects; feed the birds; or plant bee friendly trees. To find out more about what you can do, we have reprinted the Gardening for Biodiversity booklet and children’s colouring book and they are available for free from Laois County Council Heritage Office. Over the coming months the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network will co-ordinate and promote a series of practical actions for biodiversity that everyone can take part in.”
Gardening for Biodiversity was produced with funding by The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, supported by the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network.
The reprint was funded by the Keep Well Campaign, with thanks to Healthy Ireland, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and Sláintecare delivered by Pobal, administered by Laois County Council.
The book and colouring book are available for free from Laois County Council, by emailing heritage@laoiscoco.ie and also available to download here.
In your Nature Podcast
As part of the Healthy Ireland “Keep Well” campaign, the Heritage Office of Laois County Council is running a series of events to people to get connected with nature. The campaign – called Nature is good for You – now sees the launch of a new nature podcast in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland.
“In your Nature” will be available each Monday from 1st March for six weeks and further series will follow in the summer and autumn. The podcast will be free and available on all leading podcast providers, including Spotify, SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts.
“In your Nature” will be anchored by Laois native Ricky Whelan, Project Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, and the well-known media voice of Niall Hatch, Development Officer with BirdWatch Ireland.
Spring into nature
Devised by Roscommon Heritage Office and the Heritage Officer Network, the “Spring into Nature” activity sheets in suggest ideas for people to enjoy their local heritage this spring, with a focus on getting outdoors and experiencing nature and built heritage in your locality.
A short series of “Nature is good for you” clips were prepared and broadcast by Midlands 103 radio from winter 2020 to spring 2021. These highlight the value of getting out in nature, and suggest simple things people can do to help nature in their own area. The clips are available on Soundcloud.
Nestbox Guides
As wildlife lovers we are always keen to do what we can for the birds and other wildlife in our gardens, school grounds and on our farms. We can all help in various ways, perhaps by feeding birds in our gardens each winter or providing safe and suitable nest boxes for them to raise young.
Below you will find three downloadable guides produced by BirdWatch Ireland in association with the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network that provide nest box templates and measurements for some of our favourite garden birds as well as for the amazing Barn Owl and roosting bats. Each guide features installation tips to help you correctly position each box to provide safe nesting opportunities for target species and increase the chances of uptake. We were delighted to work with BirdWatch Ireland in the production of these guides. See here for more informtion on the work of BirdWatch Ireland and how to join to support this work.
Garden Bird Nestbox Plans
This guide provides a template and measurements for you to create a range of nestboxes for a number of common garden bird species including, Robins, Blue/Great Tits, Starlings and Spotted Flycatcher. Click the picture to download a high resolution pdf.
Outdoor Barn Owl Nestbox Plan
This guide provides a template and measurements for you to create a Barn Owl nestbox suitable for installation outdoors. Click the picture to download a high resolution pdf.
Bat Roost Box Plan
This guide provides a template and measurements for you to create a bat roost box to safely accommodate roosting bats in your garden. Click the picture to download a high resolution pdf.
The Nature is Good for You” initiative is co-ordinated by the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network as part of the Government’s“Keep Well” Campaign which aims to help people to mind their physical and mental health and well being over the coming months.
Everyone is encouraged to take part in the campaign on social media using the hashtag #NatureisGoodforYou.
Supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in association with the Keeping Well Campaign in your county. Local Authority Heritage Officers are employed by Local Authorities in partnership with the national Heritage Council. Their role is to raise awareness, provide advice, develop/implement policy, collect data, conduct research and promote best practice to value and safeguard heritage for future generations.
The community of Clonaslee has celebrated the end of another successful season of conservation at the medieval Kilmanman Church just outside the village.
The conservation project which started in 2019, is funded by the Creative Ireland Programme in Laois and Laois County Council, with the help of local community fundraising. This year’s work saw the conservation of the west gable with its fragile bell cote and the east gable with its beautiful carved medieval window. Some work was also carried out to stabilise the 19th century Dunne Mausoleum adjacent to the older church.
Kilmanman Church Restoration Committee members, members of Clonaslee High Nelly Club, with Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, Colm Flynn, Archaeologist and Jethro Sheen, Sheen Stoneworks at Kilmanman Church, Clonaslee. Photo: Alf Harvey
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “the support of the Creative Ireland programme was crucial in getting this conservation work started and the aim of the project – in addition to saving the medieval fabric of the church – was to build on the sense of place associated with Kilmanman to develop the capacity and resilience of the local community. The project has been enormously successful in this, and in addition to impressive local fundraising, the local people have been on hand to help with all aspects of the work, with the community assisting with management of vegetation, providing water and weathered stone, helping to interpret the archaeology and showing huge hospitality to the conservation team.”
She continued “ On behalf of Laois County Council and the project team, I’d like to thank most sincerely the Kilmanman Restoration Committee, Fr O’Reilly, Chris Horan, Tommy Kelly, David Brickley, Fred Mathews and Denis Feighery, the Clonaslee Graveyard Committee represented by Denis Feighery, The High Nelly Club Clonaslee, the Local Employment Scheme and Caitriona Cashin of Clonaslee Development Association and the many people living near Kilmanman who donated money and also gave so freely of their time to help.”
Fred Mathews, Chris Horan and Tommy Kelly at Kilmanman Church, Clonaslee. Photo Alf Harvey (Missing from Photo Fr O’Reilly, David Brickley and Denis Feighery)
The work this year was planned by Conservation Engineer Aoife Murphy working with David Kelly Partnership Consulting Engineers and overseen by archaeologist Colm Flynn. The contract to carry out the highly skilled lime mortar work and masonry conservation was awarded to Jethro Sheen of Sheen Stonework in Gort Co Galway.
Conservation Management Plan
In addition to the practical conservation work on site this year, the Kilmanman group was successful in sourcing Heritage Council support for a full Conservation Management Plan on the site and this was also started this year, with Conservation Architect Richard McLoughlin working with archaeologist Colm Flynn to carry out a measured survey of the site, and an analysis of the known history to date. The community hopes that phase II of the Conservation Plan will be completed in 2021, if funding is available.
The conservation project at Kilmanman will continue in 2021 with conservation of the North Wall high on the priority list for the next step in this important conservation project.
