Science Week runs from November 8th to 15th this year and there are lots of events happening across the midlands, including three evening events focusing on climate action in Abbeyleix and the surrounding area.
Science Communicator Dr Niamh Shaw has recently been appointed to work with the community in Abbeyleix in a project which is a partnership between Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, Laois County Council, Creative Ireland Laois and Midlands Science.
On Monday November 9th, Tuesday November 10th and Saturday November 14th at 7pm on each day, Niamh will facilitate a discussion with people who are working in different ways in the local community to address issues of climate change and climate action. Those taking part including Viscount Tom de Vesci, Fr Paddy Byrne, Professor Eric Morgan of Queens University Belfast and ecologist Dr Fiona McGowan as well as people involved in sustainable business and creative activities locally.
The events will take place live on the Laois Heritage Forum Facebook page, starting at 7pm each evening. It’s free to take part and no registration will be required – just tune in
Mark Clancy, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Robbie Quinn, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence; Mary White, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Ann Lawlor, Creative Ireland Laois and Dr Fiona MacGowan, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns at the Community Garden Abbeyleix for a start up meeting for the new Abbeyleix Climate Action Project in partnership with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns. The initiative is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council and Midlands Science. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Dr Shaw commented “I was only recently appointed as science communicator in residence and I can already see that Laois has been busy tackling climate change at a local level for a number of years through a wide range of community activities. I’m delighted to be able to highlight the work of these local climate heroes – scientists, ecologists, beekeepers, gardeners, and community residents. Change and action involves everyone. Over three nights, we will hear from nine local people as they share their stories of engaging locally on climate change and climate action issues. Having strong local links to Laois in my own family, I’m delighted to be part of this project and to help profile all that is happening in Laois on this vital issue.”
Dr. Niamh Shaw Communicator, Engineer and Space Explorer at her home in Blackrock Dublin. Pic Steve Humphreys
Heritage Officer with Laois County Council Catherine Casey said “this year the theme for Science Week is Choosing our Future, focusing on how science can improve our lives now and in the future. The focus is on how science can positively impact our collective futures and help us shape the kind of places we want to live in. Community engagement with issues informed by science such as climate change and action are very important. We are delighted that the vital work happening in Laois will be profiled as part of the Midlands Science Festival and to be working with them again to promote the link between science and how it affects all of our lives and the choices we make .”
People from Abbeyleix have also taken part in a series of short film clips introducing the topic of climate change and what action they are taking to address it – these will be released in the run up to Science Week, on the Facebook pages of Laois Heritage Forum, Creative Laois and Midlands Science. Why not tune in and see who you recognise?
The closing date for these grants has now passed. Successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible
New opportunities for the Laois Cultural and Creative sector have been announced as part of the Jobs Stimulus Package from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Creative Ireland Laois has announced two new grant schemes for Laois Cultural and Creative practitioners (individuals & groups).
Under this fund, local projects and initiatives will provide supports for
placing creativity at the heart of economic development,
innovative place-making projects in local areas,
collaboration, and
professional development of creative practitioners and / or organisations.
There are two funds:
Equipment Grants
To promote the development of Cultural and Creative initiatives within Laois, Laois County Council Creative Ireland are awarding a number of Equipment grants to professional cultural and creative operators/ practitioners (individuals & groups) for upskilling in digital media practices.
Under this Creative Communities Jobs Stimulus measure, funding is provided for
Enabling access to digital equipment for cultural and creative operators/practitioners (individuals & groups).
The provision of an Equipment grant for cultural and creative operators/practitioners (individuals & groups) to adapt, reposition or reskill themselves or to repurpose their assets/offering to ensure they may continue to connect and engage with their local communities.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the Equipment Grants is 4pm on Friday, September 25, 2020
Cruinniu na nOg Portlaoise – Vincent Hunt, Tutor, helps a young child at Dunamaise Arts Centre . Photo: Michael Scully.
Co-Create grants
Laois County Council Creative Ireland are awarding a number of Co-Create grants to professional cultural and creative operators / practitioners to collaborate in the development of new initiatives.
Cultural and Creative operators / practitioners must collaborate with a community group, or school, or NGO, or Enterprise, or community group, or voluntary group, or professional group.
Under this Creative Communities Job Stimulus Funds scheme, funding may be provided for a broad range of initiatives that:
Connect, engage & collaborate with local and marginalised communities and other communities, small towns and villages; or small to medium enterprises; or public buildings; or heritage and landscape; or local cultural and heritage venues; or Maker Spaces/Studio; and/or a blend of the above. This is not a prescriptive list and we welcome your proposals.
The closing date for the Co-Create Grants is 4pm on Monday, September 28, 2020
Creative Ireland
Creative Ireland is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016. The Laois County Council 2018-22 five-year Culture and Creativity Plan can be viewed here.
The Creative Ireland Programme has collaboration at its heart – between central and local government; between heritage, arts, culture and industry; between artists, communities and policy makers– to facilitate a culture of creativity.
A community-based project to save the medieval Church at Kilmanman near Clonaslee in Laois from collapse, has had two successful phases of conservation in 2019 and 2020 with the help of Creative Ireland.
Fears for the survival of the medieval church ruins had been raised by members of the local graveyard committee, and help was sought from the Culture Team at Laois County Council.
Catherine Casey is Heritage Officer with Laois County Council.
“The Medieval Church at Kilmanman was in a very fragile state, so conservation work to stabilise it was urgent,” she said. “The church is part of the rich heritage of the site, which we believe goes back to early Christian times. The survival of the church is so important to the people of this area, as can be seen by the huge number of community volunteers involved each year,” Ms Casey said.
Committee members, members of Clonaslee High Nelly Club, Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, Colm Flynn, Archaeologist and Jethro Sheen, Sheen Stoneworks at Kilmanman Church, Clonaslee.
The conservation project was supported with funding from the Creative Ireland Laois Programme, and supported by Clonaslee Community Development Association and local residents.
Technical advice was provided by Mountmellick based archaeologist Colm Flynn, and experienced conservation engineer, Aoife Murphy, working for David Kelly Partnership.
As the site is so sensitive, permission for the works was sought from the National Monuments Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and conservation work was carried out by stonemason Jethro Sheen.
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council continued “This church and graveyard are clearly so important to the local community, they really encompass everything we mean by a Sense of Place, and we were delighted that the Creative Ireland programme in Laois was able to support the valuable conservation work here this year,” she said.
Work continued at Kilmanman in 2020 to stabilise the east gable with its fine tracery window and the west gable with the remains of the bell-cote.
Kilmanman Church and Graveyard after two stages of conservation works March 2021, photo by ALf Harvey (c)
The project to conserve Kilmanman Church was funded by Creative Ireland Laois and Laois County Council as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in Laois.
A new series of videos on Gardening for Biodiversity has been launched by Laois Heritage Office. Based on the popular book Gardening for Biodiversity published by Laois County Council earlier this year, the series aims to give practical tips and guidelines to anyone who is interested in helping wildlife in their garden.
Following the book’s very practical approach, the videos – available for free on Youtube – show how to help biodiversity by creating a pond, building a log pile, planting a wildflower meadow, looking after birds and planting native trees and hedgerows.
Speaking at the launch of the videos Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Cllr Willie Aird said “It’s so fitting that we are launching these biodiversity guides here in the wonderful setting of People’s Park. The Park is like a garden for all the people of Portlaoise, and we are delighted that it is open again after the pandemic restrictions. I know that the ideas in this new book and the video guides will encourage people to take action to make their garden a haven for wildlife and I’d like to thank the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht for their help in getting them made”.
Author Juanita Browne said: “These videos are a wonderful online resource to help explain how anyone can help our wildlife. Thanks to Laois County Council for funding and making these freely available online and to John Lusby and Peter Cutler for making these beautiful videos. I think there is an exciting new interest among the public in helping our biodiversity and these videos make this process much more accessible.”
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “During lockdown we have all become much more conscious of the importance of the natural world. We know from the enormous response to the original book that many people are taking a great interest in the birds, bees and bugs that are visiting their gardens. We are in the middle of a Biodiversity Crisis, and exposure to nature is also good for our mental health, so there is so much benefit to gardening for biodiversity. We have had so many requests for copies of the book from schools and families, so our next project is to create a Children’s version of the book, with colouring pages and kid-friendly information on biodiversity. We hope to have that ready for Heritage Week in August”.
The new Gardening for Biodiversity films are available to view of the Laois Heritage Youtube channel
The Gardening for Biodiversity videos are available now on the Laois Heritage Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/laoisheritage. The book and films were supported by the Heritage Council and the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part National Biodiversity Action Plan. The original book is available to download for free at www.laois.ie/heritage, and hard copies can be ordered from Laois County Council Heritage Office.
The Gardening for Biodiverity Book and Videos have been supported by the Heritage Council and the Department for ulture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as part of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The book was written by Juanita Browne and illustrated by Barry Reynolds. The films were made by Peter Cutler of Crow Crag Films, presented by Jon Lusby and Juanita Browne was Scientific Advisor. We are grateful to all involved for their wonderful support.
Cruinniu na nÓg 2020 is a national day of free creativity for children and young people across Ireland and will take place on Saturday 13th June 2020. Cruinniú na nÓg celebrates and encourages participation in creativity and culture. Due to current restrictions this year, things will work a little differently with events and activities available online to participate in.
The day is still about giving children and young people the opportunity to express themselves through a specially curated programme of creative and cultural activities where they can participate, engage with new ideas, learn new skills and have fun!
For information on the full programme for Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 and how to get involved in local and national online activities, go to the Cruinniu na nÓg website.
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OPPORTUNITY: Calling all up & coming musicians
As part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 Music Generation Laois Online Open Mic Night, up and coming musicians aged 12-18 in Laois and across the country are invited to submit a video of their original music songs / tunes / compositions / raps or electronic music.
Young musicians in Laois and across the country are invited to submit a video of their original music songs / tunes / compositions / raps or electronic music. The Open Mic Night with winning entries will be streamed on the Creative Ireland Laois YouTube channel on Saturday 13th June from 8pm. There are 2 prizes available for entries that ooze originality and musical creativity. The national prize is a 1 day recording session in Golden Egg Studios world-class recording facility in Co. Laois. A special Laois prize is for up and coming musicians from the county with 1 year’s free Music Generation Laois music lessons in Laois Music Centre.
Deadline for entries is 5pm, Friday 29th May 2020.
A new colouring book for children has been published, based on the “Gardening for Biodiversity” booklet by Juanita Brown also released by Laois Heritage Office this week. The book, featuring beautiful illustrations of garden wildlife by artist Barry Reynolds, will be fun for any youngsters interested in finding out more about the wildlife in their own local patch, now that we are all spending more time close to home.
Fans of illustration will know Barry has previously worked on the Oscar-nominated animated movie “The Secret of Kells”, and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Arthur Christmas”. He also provided the beautiful illustrations for Juanita Browne’s “The Great big Book of Irish Wildlife”.
Wildlife Art Workshop in Mountmellick Library as part of Heritage Week. Photograph: Alf Harvey.
The full “Gardening for Biodiversity colouring book” is available to download below, or individual pages can be downloaded by clicking the thumbnails.
Colouring Pages (click thumbnail for larger image)
Bird boxes
Blue tit
Bumble beeBatBird bathButterfly life cycleButterflyChaffinchFeeding the birdsFrogHedgehogHomes for batsMini beastsNewtRabbitRobinGarden for WildlifeWildlife pond
The Gardening for Biodiversity Book was produced with the assistance of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the funding scheme for the National Biodiversity Action Plan, with additional support from the Heritage Council.
New guide shows how to look after wildlife in your garden
A new booklet to assist everyone to help wildlife in their gardens, no matter how big or small, has been launched. The brainchild of Juanita Browne, the booklet was produced by Laois County Council with the assistance of Local Authority Heritage Officers across Ireland, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Heritage Council.
Taking a very practical approach, the book details projects to help wildlife of all kinds under a range of headings, with tasks suitable for everyone from the total beginner to the more ambitious DIY enthusiast. With clear instructions and step-by-step drawings by illustrator Barry Reynolds, the guide offers the gardener lots of options to help our biodiversity.
Anna and Sarah looking forward to trying out the projects in “Gardening for Biodiversity” in their garden. Their garden’s “wild corner” already contains ivy, bramble, hawthorn and dandelions that have been left to grow to provide food for pollinators.
As a companion to the book, a children’s book with kid-friendly information on garden wildlife and colouring pages using Barry Reynolds’ fun original illustrations has also been produced.
Both books are free to download (see below) and free hard copies can be ordered from Laois Heritage Office.
With increasing agricultural intensification, gardens in many areas can be an oasis for wildlife, and with small changes we can make them even better. The guide outlines actions that can be taken to improve gardens for birds, bees, butterflies, bats and more, and the good news is many of the steps that can be taken are really easy. Just leaving an “untidy” corner of your garden for nature, leaving roadside verges to grow naturally or allowing some of the gold star plants for biodiversity – dandelion, willow, bramble, clover, ivy – a spot in your garden can reap huge dividends for wildlife.
Garraíodóireacht ar son na Bithéagsúlachta
Tá an leabhar “Garraíodóireacht ar son na Bithéagsúlachta” foilsithe i nGaeilge anois, le tacaíocht ón bPlean Gníomhaíochta Náisiúnta Bithéagsúlachta. Is féidir an leabhar a íoslódáil saor in aisce anseo agus beidh cóipeanna crua ar fáil go luath.
Buíochas ó chroí le Seán Ó Daimhín, Oifigeach Seirbhísí Gaeilge le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, as an leabhrán seo a aistriú go Gaeilge, agus le Joseph Gallagher, Oifigeach Oidhreachta, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, as a chabhair agus a thacaíocht.
Fuarthas maoiniú don treoirleabhar seo ón Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúilagus Oidhreachta trí Chiste Phlean Gníomhaíochta Bithéagsúlachta Náisiúnta na Seirbhíse Náisiúnta Páirceanna agus Fiadhúlra, le tacaíocht ó Líonra na nOifigeach Oidhreachta sna hÚdarás Áitiúla
The Gardening for Biodiversity book has now been published in Irish, The book can be downloaded for free here and hard copies will be available soon.
Our sincere thanks to Seán Ó Daimhín, Irish Officer with Donegal County Council, who translated the book, and to Joe Gallagher, Heritage Officer with Donegal County Council for all his assistance with this.
Funding for this guide has been received from the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Biodiversity Action Plan of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, supported by Network of Heritage Officers in Local Authorities
Gardening for Biodiversity Films
A new series of short films has now been made to accompany the book – click below for more:
“Gardening for Biodiversity”, funded by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of an initiative to encourage projects under the National Biodiversity Plan, is available to download here.
All books were supported by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Funding for printing of hard copies was provided by the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network and the Heritage Council. Free hard copies may be ordered from your Local Authority Heritage Office.
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.
Gardening for Biodiversity Booklet
