Two carved fragments of stone uncovered during conservation works at Kilmanman Graveyard during conservation works have shed new light on the early Christian origins of the site.
Work to protect the stonework at the church was commissioned in 2019 by Laois Heritage Office in partnership with Clonaslee Community Development Association, supported by Creative Ireland Laois.
As the site is a protected monument, the work was planned by a conservation engineer Aoife Murphy working for David Kelly Partnership, and an archaeologist – Colm Flynn from Mountmellick was appointed to supervise the work. Specialist stonemason Jethro Sheen carried out the stonework.
The work required excavation to allow underpinning of masonry that had collapsed following heavy snowfall. During this small excavation, two fragments of decorated stones were uncovered. As part of the terms of the license for the excavation, these fragments were sent for analysis to a specialist in medieval stone, Paul Stevens.
One of the stones recovered is part of a decorated quern stone. It would have originally been part of a set of two millstones used for grinding corn, operated by hand and common to the early medieval period. It may have been used as part of domestic activity on an early medieval ecclesiastical settlement, either at Kilmanman or nearby.
Decorated quernstone fragment from Kilmanman Clonaslee (Photo Paul Stevens Archaeology)
The stone also had traces of mortar on it, indicating it was reused as building stone in the later medieval church. The analysis found the stone from Kilmanman dated to a period between the 5th and 11th century.
The other stone was fragment of a window jamb that was incorporated into the gable wall, probably as part of a repair. The window fragment may have been part of a separate building or brought in to the site with building rubble.
Both finds are important archaeological objects and represent items of great local importance in understanding the historical story of Kilmanman. The finds will now be deposited with the National Museum of Ireland as required by law.
The full report on the stone analysis is available to download here.
Colm Flynn Archaeology report on the full project can be viewed here.
Committee members and Officials at Kilmanman Graveyard, Clonaslee: Photo Michael Scully
Thanks to Creative Ireland Laois, Laois County Council and Clonaslee Community Development for all their support for this project. It is hoped that work will continue at Kilmanman in 2020.
Laois has a long a proud tradition of achievements in aviation, the most well known of which is the achievement of Colonel James Fitzmaurice, a Portlaoise native who was co-pilot on the first plane to cross the Atlantic from East to West, in April 1928.
Fitz and the Famous Flight
In April 1928, the Junkers aircraft the Bremen took off from Baldonnell Aerodrome in Dublin, and set out to cross the Atlantic from East to West – against prevailing winds – for the first time. On board was Portlaoise native Captain James Fitzmaurice, along with Germans Hermann Kohl and Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld. When they touched down on Greenly Island, off the coast of Canada, more than 36 hours later, they made history.
The achievement has been celebrated in Laois over the years, and a series of commemorative events were held to mark the 90th anniversary of the flight, in 2018. This included an exhibition by artists Brendon Deacy, a documentary by Louis V Deacy and a joint Irish German commemorative flight and wreath-laying in October 2018.
Ralph James, former GOC Irish Air Corps; Michael Parsons, chairman Laois Heritage; Donal Brennan, Director of Services LCC and Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage officer at The Dunamaise Arts Centre for the opening of the ‘Fitz & the 1st East-to-West Atlantic Flight’ exhibition. Picture: Alf Harvey.Donal Brennan, Director of Services LCC with Teddy Fennelly, chairman of the Fitzmaurice Commemoration committee at The Dunamaise Arts Centre for the opening of the ‘Fitz & the 1st East-to-West Atlantic Flight’ exhibition. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brendon Deacy, artist and exhibition curator with his daughters Ciana, Kitty and Maggie at The Dunamaise Arts Centre for the opening of the ‘Fitz & the 1st East-to-West Atlantic Flight’ exhibition. Picture: Alf Harvey.The wreath laying at the Fitzmaurice Bust at County Hall, Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.The fly over during the wreath laying at the Fitzmaurice Bust at County Hall, Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Portlaoise Plane
The first aeroplane built and flown in what is now the Republic of Ireland was constructed in Portlaoise (then Maryborough) by a family of renowned motor engineers, the Aldritts, Frank, the father and founder of the business, and his sons, Louis, Frank and Joseph. The Aldritts worked with master carpenter John Conroy and mechanic William Rogers to build their plane, and in 1912 it flew a short distance, witnessed by a number of people .
The Portlaoise Plane is a rare aviation artefact but, better still, it has a close connection with Ireland’s most famous aviation pioneer, Col. James Fitzmaurice, the co-pilot on the Bremen, the first aircraft to fly the Atlantic east to west in 1928. Fitzmaurice grew up in Portlaoise and received all his formal education in the local CBS, next door to Aldritts’ old garage. He later wrote that as a schoolboy he became involved in the plane’s construction, with particular mention of his mentor, Louis Aldritt, and it was from this early experience that he first acquired his interest in aeroplanes.
Following research by Joe Rogers, a descendant of William Rogers, and aviation enthusiasts Teddy Fennelly and Alan Phelan, the plane was discovered, after being housed in a private museum in the south of England and almost forgotten for 40 years. The plane was restored by aircraft engineers Brendan O’Donoghue and Johnny Molloy . The short clip below records the homecoming on the 14th July 2021.
Members of the restoration team, from left: Brendan O’Donoghue, Alan Phelan, Teddy Fennelly and Tim Costello at the Portlaoise Plane official return on Sunday 12th September 2021. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Laois Represented at Major Conference on Irish Aviation History
Laois was represented at a major international conference held in Clifden in June 2019 to mark the centenary of the first non-stop transatlantic airplane flight by Alcock and Brown in June 1919.
Teddy Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society, Catherine Casey of Laois County Council and Michael McEvoy President of the Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland (also an active member of the Laois Model Aero Club) attended the conference organised by Galway County Council.
Teddy Fennelly (Laois Heritage Society), Catherine Casey (Laois County Council) and Michael McEvoy (Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland) at the recent conference on “Irish Aviation – Past, Present and Future”, held in Galway.
Teddy Fennelly, a lifelong aeronautics enthusiast, was introduced at the conference by Laois Heritage Officer Catherine Casey. Currently President of Laois Heritage Society and Chairman of the Laois Heritage Forum, Teddy has written numerous books, mainly historical and biographical, including the biography of Ireland’s most famous aviator, Col James Fitzmaurice, titled “Fitz and the Famous Flight”, published in 1998. He spoke about the life and achievements of Col Fitzmaurice, a Portlaoise native, as co-pilot of the first nonstop transatlantic plane flight from Europe to North America, in April 1928.
Those present were also fascinated to hear about the “Portlaoise Plane”, built by Louis & Frank Aldritt, Motor Engineers and Johnny Conroy Master Carpenter with the help of mechanic William Rogers – the first plane built and flown in what is now the Republic of Ireland. It is known that Aldritts had a patent to build an airplane as early as 1907. It is also on record that the Portlaoise Plane succeeded in covering a short distance in November, 1909.
Teddy Fennelly said “We know that Colonel James Fitzmaurice helped in its construction as a young boy, and it’s quite likely that this is where the seed was sown for his life-long passion for Aviation. The airplane remained in storage in the original Aldritt motor works at Bank Place, Portlaoise until the late 1970s. It was acquired by a private collector who transported the plane to his premises in the South of England, until we recently brought it home to Ireland. You can follow the story of the Portlaoise Plane at portlaoiseplane.com.
Another highlight of the conference was the display of model aircraft brought to Clifden by Laois and Midland Model Aero Clubs members Michael McEvoy, Mel Broad, Heather Broad and Martin Sweeney. The aircraft were on display in the Museum in Clifden for the duration of the commemoration events.
Michael McEvoy, Mel Broad, Heather Broad and Martin Sweeney of the Laois and Midlands Model Aero Clubs at the “Irish Aviation – Past, Present and Future” conference in Clifden.
Michael McEvoy said “The Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland (MACI) was formed in 1939 by a group of model aircraft enthusiasts when model aircraft technology was in its infancy. Today, 80 years later, almost 6,000 enthusiasts have passed through MACI, many carrying their interests to a life in aeronautics, designing, maintaining and piloting a range of aircraft from a Cessna 150 to a 747 Jumbo Jet while others have taken the road to military aeronautics. The Laois Model Aero Club is one of 29 clubs nationwide with almost 500 members. The MACI website covers all aspects relating to model aircraft and the many different types now available to the modelling enthusiast from a simple electric to a sophisticated turbine model”.
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, said “with so many strands to the story, the history and the future of aviation in Ireland are firmly centred on County Laois. We look forward to working closely with MACI and Laois Heritage Society as we start to plan for the centenary of the first East West transatlantic flight, in 2028”.
A new book to help communities save their swifts has been launched by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers nationwide.
Swifts are an iconic summer visitor to Ireland, arriving in early May following a long migration from southern Africa. Slightly larger than a swallow they are a ‘site faithful’ bird, returning generation after generation to buildings in towns and villages throughout Ireland to nest and raise young. Like many of our wild species however, Swifts are increasingly threatened through loss of nest sites and have suffered an alarming 40% population decline in the past decade. Problems arise when buildings are renovated or torn down removing the Swifts nest sites and sometimes huge nesting colonies can be lost overnight.
The good news is that there are many practical steps that we can all take to make a difference, and the new guide ‘Saving Swifts’ produced by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers is available to help. The guide, funded by the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of an initiative to encourage projects under the National Biodiversity Action Plan, contains all the information required for individuals, local groups, schools, businesses or government departments to play a role in helping this amazing and threatened species. The information is presented in a colourful and user-friendly format and includes details on Swift ecology; reasons for declines; suggested conservation measures; nest box plans, case studies and much more.
Swifts nest in buildings where small gaps allow access to the roof space or cavities in masonry. Their chosen nest sites are often in older buildings which are sometimes dilapidated or in need of renovation. Awareness about the presence and requirements of Swifts is essential to ensuring that their nest sites are protected as part of renovation works. This typically involves timing works to take place from Sept to May. Also, there are many opportunities to create new nesting sites as part of new development through installing nest boxes or nesting bricks.
Anna and Sarah Rothwell, Birr pictured at the launch of the new 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
Ricky Whelan, Project Officer with BirdWatch Ireland said: “The Saving Swifts guide will go a long way to support groups from around the country to help their Swifts at a local level, feeding into the wider Swift conservation effort nationally. Swift surveys are planned in Sligo, Wicklow and Meath this year, following on from surveys in Offaly, Laois, Tipperary and Westmeath over the past few years, so we are getting a much better handle on the scientific side of where swifts are, and what they need.”
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “It was wonderful to work with BirdWatch Ireland and Heritage Officers across the country on this guide to help communities look after their swifts, and we are also grateful to the many swift conservation groups around Ireland who helped with expertise and success stories for the book”.
Dearbhala Ledwidge, Kilkenny Heritage officer; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage officer and Ricky Whelan, Birdwatch Ireland pictured at the launch of the new 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
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.
A new Laois Passport has been published to encourage adults and children, tourists and residents alike to explore the wonderful heritage sites of Laois this summer. The passport, produced in a collaboration between Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and Laois County Council with the support of the Heritage Council, details 7 of the heritage sites of Laois, with a space for a passport stamp each time a site is visted. Stamps are available at Timahoe Heritage Centre (and the Corner shop in Timahoe), Mountmellick Museum, Donaghmore Workhouse, Dunamaise Arts Centre and Portlaoise Tourist Ofice, Abbeyleix Heritage House and Emo Court.
Participants in the Laois Offaly ETB literacy project: Serena Fitzpatrick, Edel Phelan, Hilary Doran, Sabrina Bowden, Karla Jordan and Nicole Delaney with pupils from Scoil Bhríde, Portlaoise at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Passports are availble from each of the sites featured, and the Tourist Office in Portlaoise. They are also available for collection by primary school teachers at Laois Education Centre.
The passport grew out ‘Unravelling Laois’, a Portlaoise-based family learning project, which aimed to capture some of the hidden gems of the county. ‘Unravelling Laois’ started to unfold when a group of parents in Scoil Bhríde enabled their family learning project to take on a different dimension when they developed an interest in history. The DEIS funded programme, in collaboration with the HSCL in Scoil Bhride, Adult Literacy Service in Laois Offaly ETB supported these parents in visiting a range of historical sites in Laois during the autumn months of 2017.
Frances Byrne, Local Link Laois Offaly; Deirdre Delaney (HSCL Co-ordinator Scoil Bhríde Portlaoise); Denise Dunne (Creative Writing Tutor); Catherine Casey, (Laois Heritage Officer); Mary Delaney (Art Tutor) and Lisa McEvoy, (Laois Offaly ETB) at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Laois Offaly Local Link ensured that the group arrived at each destination safely and returned everybody to the school full of imagination. After each trip, the parents reflected on their adventures through artwork and creative writing. With the encouragement of their tutors, Denise Dunne and Mary Delaney, they have created art that illustrates their new understanding of the history of this county along with compiling a book through their own book club, that captures all their experiences throughout the project.
This inspirational project is family learning in its true sense, supporting parents to help their children learn and providing them with an opportunity to develop their own learning skills.
The project developed further and it was decided that the group would publish a passport at the end of their travels, for parents to use when bringing their children to each of the sites during the summer months. This passport was taken to the next level with the support of Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, and is available to all primary schools in Laois now and is also available from the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise Tourist and all the heritage sites the project visited.
OPW guide Joan Phelan stamping passports for Daniel Doran, Clodagh Fitzpatrick, Aaron Bowden-Adair, Eoin Bowden-Adair and Ryan Dunne from Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise at Emo Court for the launch of the Laois Passport for Heritage Sites. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Unravelling Laois will be exhibited in Emo Court for the summer. Drop in and don’t forget to collect your passport at reception or download it here – happy travels!
Notice of Proposed Development by a Local Authority. Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) and Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (As Amended)
In accordance with Part XI, Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, and Part VIII, Article 80 & 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as amended, Laois County Council hereby gives notice of its intention to carry out the following development: Public realm enhancements at Fitzmaurice Place, Church Avenue, Church Street and Railway Street Portlaoise, to include landscaping, re-location of car parking, undergrounding of services, conservation and installation of public access to Fort Protector and all ancillary services.
There are a number of Protected Structures within the area where public realm works are to be implemented: RPS 468 Fort Protector, RPS 186a Old St Peter’s Church and RPS 186b Graveyard, Railway Street; RPS 951, 957 & 958 St Mary’s CBS School, Tower Hill; RPS 955 Former VEC, Tower Hill; RPS 959 Post box, Tower Hill; RPS No. 475 & 476: Former Presentation Convent & Tower, Church Avenue
Inspection
Plans and particulars of the proposed development are available for inspection during office hours from Tuesday 24th April 2018 to Thursday 7th June 2018 inclusive (excluding Bank and Public Holidays) at Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise or online at Fort Protector & Fitzmaurice Place Project. Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development dealing with the proper planning and development of the area in which the development will be carried out may be made in writing to Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise to be received no later than 4.00pm on 21st June 2018.
Submissions should be clearly marked Fitzmaurice Place Public Realm Part VIII.
Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services, Roads, Planning, Economic Development & Emergency Services
Tel: 057 8664000, www.laois.ie
This project received funding under the Historic Towns Initiative 2018 which is a partnership between the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Funding of €87,000 has been announced for the conservation of protected structures in County Laois. A total of 14 buildings were allocated funds through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
Both schemes are administered by Laois County Council, with funding from the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. These grants have been awarded following assessments by local authorities, who accepted applications from members of the public and put recommended projects forward to the Minister for approval.
Mountmellick Town Hall has been awarded funding to continue conservation work started in 2017
Full details of all projects funded nationally are at the website of the DCHG.
Details of the schemes and projects funded in Laois are here.
2018 sees the continuation of the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s annual workshop programme, which has trained over 2,400 participants to date. This year the programme will be released in three phases: Spring, Summer and Winter with the current Spring workshop programme consisting of six workshops.
One workshop which will be of great local interest in Laois will be Squirrel and pine marten tracking (in conjunction with Abbeyleix Bog Project), on Saturday 10th March at Abbeyleix Heritage House & Abbeyleix Bog. The workshop is suitable for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s mammals, and costs €30.
After a brief introduction to the respective biology of both squirrels and pine martens, participants will learn of the latest research and conservation stories revolving around these mammals and how to survey them. This will be followed by an outdoor session where participants will have the opportunity to visit Abbeyleix Bog to see some of the surveying techniques and conservation enhancements described in the morning session.
Other workshops on offer this spring across the country include wetland birds, whales, dolphins & sharks and gardening for wildlife.
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the very successful Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk Fund will operate again in 2018. The two schemes will provide a €3.3 million in investment in 2018 for the repair and conservation of protected structures. These schemes supported more than 500 projects across the country in 2017 and helped to provide employment in the conservation and construction industries.
Minister Humphreys said:
“This investment of €3.3 million in the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk Fund will encourage the investment of private capital in small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures. This will improve the appearance and structure of historic buildings across the country and will also support jobs in the conservation and construction industries.
“Well-maintained historic buildings contribute positively to the vitality of our cities, towns, villages and countryside. Local communities have a great sense of pride in their built heritage, which in turn can help to provide an important source of local employment by boosting tourism.
“Both schemes will operate on the same model as the 2017 schemes, which were a great success, funding over 500 projects across every local authority area in the country. They will help to regenerate urban and rural areas, and will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.”
House on the Square, Durrow, conserved with funding from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in 2017
Scheme documents for 2018 available to date are below. Further details will be published when available.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme
All works carried out under the BHIS must be capital works. Full details of all requirements are in the Circular BHIS 18/1.
The BHIS will operate in 2018 with funding available to the amount of €2,000,000 nationally. The amount available to each Local Athority has not yet been published.
The total funding available for each individual project cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.
The minimum funding available under the BHIS will be €2,500 up to a maximum grant of €15,000.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 31st January 2018.
All works carried out under the SRF must be capital works. Only structures or parts of structures in immediate danger of significant deterioration will qualify for consideration for funding.
The SRF will operate in 2018 with funding available to the amount of €1,324,000; €74,000 of which will be allocated for funding towards the type of house covered by An Action Plan for the Sustainable Future of the Irish Historic House, launched in 2015.
Due to the limited resources available for the operation of the scheme in 2018, DCHG will consider four applications per local authority, only one of which may be a publicly-owned building. A fifth application may be made if it relates to an Irish Historic House in private ownership.
The total funding available for each individual project shall not exceed 80% of the total project cost. The minimum funding available under the SRF will be €15,000 up to a maximum grant of €30,000. The minimum funding available for a fifth project in respect of a historic house in private ownership will be €5,000 up to a maximum of €10,000. The closing date for applications is 31st January 2018.
This year’s James Fintan Lalor School, organised by Laois Heritage Society, takes place at the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise, on Saturday 18th November.
Speakers include Diarmaid Ferriter, Jane Maxwell, Seamus Hosey, Claire O’Brien, David Norris, Patricia King, Kevin Myers, Marie Louise O’Donnell and Muiris O’ Suilleabhain.
Following the official opening of this year’s school by Charlie Flanagan, TD Minister for Justice and Equality, the day will include Panel Discussions on topics such as “Brexit: Our Identity, Our Future”, and “Ireland Today”, with an individual soapbox style presentations from Jane Maxwell and Kevin Myers.
Musical entertainment will be provided by members of Portlaoise and Mountmellick Comhaltas.
Audience participation will be encouraged throughout the day. When formal procedures are over a showing of the play “From the sod to the sky” by Mike Finn will be introduced by MC Kathleen Culliton.
The premiere of a newly commissioned musical piece on the theme of pollinators by Ian Wilson took place at Emo Court on Sunday 12th November 2017, as part of the Laois Leaves Literary Festival.
Titled “Thresholds”, this specially-commissioned 25-minute musical work for saxophonist and soundtrack will feature the voices of local people whose lives and work in some way have a positive impact on pollinators – we hear little snippets telling us about what they do for pollinators and how they do it.
Saxophist, Cathal Roche, performs the Premiere of a new musical piece in celebrations of Pollinators , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully.
The piece – which was commissioned by Laois Heritage Office and funded through the Creative Ireland programme – has also been recorded and the full work, composed by Ian Wilson and performed by saxophonist Cathal Roche is available to stream on Soundcloud.
Red-tailed bumble bee and common carder bee (John Breen/National Biodiversity Data Centre)
Also on the soundtrack are sounds of pollinators themselves as well as of their habitats, together evoking landscapes we are all familiar with and that we hope to preserve far into the future.
Composer , Ian Wison speaking at the Premiere of a new musical piece in celebrations of Pollinators , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully.
Ian has made recordings all over Laois for this work – in Portlaoise and in places like Emo Court, Abbeyleix Bog, Clonaslee and Dunamaise among others. The music both responds to what we hear on the soundtrack and provides a commentary on the various topics touched upon there. Saxophonist Cathal Roche is both a focal point for the audience and a kind of guide through the piece, knitting together the various speakers, sounds and ideas with his playing.
The event also featured readings by the winners of the Pollinator Poetry Prize, poetry to celebrate pollinators by adults and children, adjudicated by poet Anne Marie Ní Churráin.
Emer Rigney (Colaiste Naomh Cormaic ,Kilcormack ( winner in the 15 -14 years category) in the the Pollinators Poetry Competition , at Emo Court on Sunday12th. Nov. accepting her prise from Adjudicator, Annemarie Ni Chrrean , during the Leaves Festival . Photo: Michael Scully- njo reproduction fee.
The work is part of a joint project of Laois and Offaly Heritage Offices, with the support of the Creative Ireland programme and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The premier event was part of the 2017 Laois Leaves Literary Festival, organised by Laois Arts Office.
