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Laois Aviation History

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.

Brochure from Fitzmaurice Exhibition

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”.

12th August 2019
Local Authority Heritage Officers team up with BirdWatch Ireland to Save Swifts.

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”.

The Saving Swifts guide is available for free as a PDF download. Hard copies can be ordered from the Laois Heritage Officer.

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

22nd May 2019
Abbeyleix included in spring workshop schedule of National Biodiversity Data Centre

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.

Book online at: www.biodiversityireland.ie/events/ or contact info@biodiversityireland.ie for further information.

Download the NBDC Spring 2018 Workshops brochure

24th January 2018
“Thresholds” by Ian Wilson celebrates pollinators

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.

4th October 2017
Huge Crowd attends commemoration of Sgt Jack Moyney in Rathdowney

A huge crowd of the local community, family members and military service people attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Sergeant John (Jack) Moyney in Rathdowney on Tuesday (12^th September). The event, organised jointly by The Irish Guards, the Royal British Legion and Laois County Council, marked the centenary of the events for which Moyney won the Victoria Cross, during the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele) in Belgium, during World War I.

On 12^th & 13^th September 1917, north of Broenbeek, Belgium, Lance-Sergeant Moyney was in command of 15 men. Surrounded by the enemy he held his post for 96 hours, having no water and very little food. On the fifth day, finding himself surrounded, he and Private Thomas Woodcock led the men in a charge through the enemy to safety. Private Woodcock, who was later killed in action at the Somme, also received a Victoria Cross.

The Rathdowney event commenced with a Parade of Standard of branches of the Royal British Legion, the Irish Guards Association, The Royal Air Force, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, and a National Colour Party, made up of representatives of the Irish Army bearing the National Flag.

National Colour party of the Irish army with parade of standards of the Royal British Legion and the Irish Guards (Photo Michael Scully)

The gathering was addressed by Ian Robertson of the Irish Guards Association Republic of Ireland Branch, who explained that the Victoria Cross paving stone being unveiled was donated by the British Government and is identical to one which will be unveiled to Jack Moyney along with other Irish winners of the Victoria Cross, in Glasnevin Cemetery in November this year. The British Government in donating the paving stones to Glasnevin also made a commitment to fund a second stone to be erected in a place of significance to the individual soldier, if there was sufficient local interest. The hundreds of people who attended the event in Rathdowney this week were certainly evidence of that local interest in Laois.

Ian Robertson of the Irish Guards Association with Rev Richard Seymour Whitley Rector of Rathdowney Group of Parish, who concelebrated the ecumenical service with Fr Martin Delaney PP (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)

Setting the scene, local historian Barbara Maher gave a moving account of life in Rathdowney in 1917, and read the names of the 40 young men from Rathdowney who enlisted during World War I. A quarter of these men did not return. Journalist Kevin Myers described the great input and impact of Irish born soldiers in the British Army during World War I and recalled interviewing Jack Moyney at his home on Roscrea in the 1970s. He described a modest man, who was nonetheless quietly proud of his contribution.

Cllr John King of Laois County Council with journalist Kevin Myers and local historian Barbara Maher (Photo Michael Scully)

An ecumenical service of remembrance was concelebrated by Fr Martin Delaney Parish Priest of Rathdowney and Rev Richard Seymour-Whiteley of Rathdowney Union of Parishes. Readings were by David Gibson-Brabazon, President of the Midland Counties and Kildare Branch of the Royal British Legion, and by Cllr. Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council.

The commemorative monument was unveiled by Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan and Cllr John King of Laois County Council. The monument was created by local craftsmen under the guidance of Cllr John King, and comprises the Victoria Cross paving stone and a plaque describing the actions of Jack Moyney and his later life. The Act of Remembrance by Colonel (Retired) Timothy Purdon OBE, Regimental Adjutant of the Irish Guards was followed by the Last Post and Reveille by a Bugler and a Lament on the Pipes.

The plaque was unveiled by Cllr John King of LCC and Minister Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)

Jack Moyney had five children all now sadly deceased. Following research by Catherine Casey Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, with great assistance from Roscrea Heritage Society, contact was made with members of each of the branches of the family in Rathdowney, Roscrea and further afield. As a result representatives were present of the families of James Moyney, Alice Troy (nee Moyney), Elizabeth Ryan (nee Moyney), Mary Letsome-Moten (nee Moyney), and Bridget Maher (nee Moyney). Grand nephews and grand nieces from the Finane, Brown, Mullins, Campion and other families were also in attendance. Many of the family still live in Roscrea and Rathdowney, but others had travelled from across Ireland and the UK to attend the event.

Following the unveiling of the monument, John Moyney, Grandson of Jack Moyney, spoke movingly of his memories of his grandfather, on behalf of the wider Moyney Family. Despite the driving rain, the large crowd, which also included children from St Fergal’s College Rathdowney and each of the town’s two primary schools, remained in respectful attendance throughout. The ceremony ended with the laying of wreaths by the British Ambassador Robin Barnett, Minister Charlie Flanagan, and representatives of the Royal British Legion and the Irish Guards. Floral tributes were laid by each of the Five branches of the Moyney Family, by Cora Percival (Rathdowney), John Ryan (Roscrea), Emily Moyney (UK), Michael Maher (Kerry) and Catherine Grimes (UK).

Minister Charlie Flanagan lays a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government (Photo Michael Scully)

Closing the event on behalf of Laois County Council, Cllr John King thanked the organising committee Paul Stephenson (Royal British Legion), Ian Robertson (Irish Guards Association), Catherine Casey (Laois Heritage Office) and Angela McEvoy (Laois County Council).

Paul Stephenson (Royal British Legion Midland Counties and Kildare Branch), British Ambassador Robin Barnett and Cllr John King of Laois County Council

Pupils from St Fergal’s College Rathdowney with a representative of the Irish Guards and the Regimental Mascot, an Irish Wolfhound named Domhnall (Photo Michael Scully)

Representatives of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)

Ian Robertson (Irish Guards Association), Robin Barnett (British Ambassador to Ireland), Min Charlie Flanagan (Minister for Justice and Equality) (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)

Lowering of Regimental Standards during the lament (Photo Michael Scully)

Plaque to Jack Moyney VC with wreaths laid on behalf of the Irish Government, British Government, Irish Guards Association and Royal British Legion (Photo Patrick Hugh Lynch)

18th September 2017
Local Authorities get buzzing for pollinators: €9,000 in Prizes for Tidy Towns

Tidy Towns groups in Laois are being urged to enter a special award in the National Tidy Towns competition which promotes the protection of pollinators.

Irish bees and other pollinators contribute €35 million a year to the Irish economy by pollinating our plants, trees and vegetables. They are under serious threat for survival because they don’t have enough food to eat or places to live. In response to this, in 2016 Local Authority Heritage Officers and Biodiversity Officers, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, launched a new Tidy Towns “Let’s Get Buzzing- Local Authority Pollinator Award”. This Special Award encourages Tidy Towns groups to support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan by making their communities more pollinator-friendly. There is an attractive prize fund of €9,000.

Ann-Marie Kelly, Tidy Towns Co-ordinator with Laois County Council said “We hosted various events to promote the role of pollinators over the last few months and these were well attended. It is clear there is a huge interest in making Laois more pollinator friendly. The interest shown by our Tidy Towns committees illustrates their ongoing commitment to enhancing our natural environment. My colleagues and I are very happy to help groups become more pollinator friendly and build on our joint commitment on an annual basis.”

There was a great response to the award in 2016 with 58 Tidy Towns groups taking part. Monaghan Tidy Towns, national winner in the large town category, turned their town into an urban orchard, by encouraging residents to plant pollinator friendly fruit trees.

“Most pollinator actions are not costly or too complicated” explained Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council. “They can range from simply changing the grass mowing regime, to planting pollinator friendly trees and shrubs, or raising awareness by promoting the Junior All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to youth groups and schools. Local communities can lead the way in creating an Ireland where pollinators can thrive”

The National Biodiversity Data Centre has produced practical guidelines to help communities and Tidy Towns groups to take action. The guidelines and other useful resources can be downloaded here.

The closing date for the award is 25^th May 2017. Details and application forms are available to download below:

TT_Pollinator_Award_application_2017 or contact Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer.

25th April 2017