Laois County Council

Tag: Portlaoise

  • Community Monuments Fund 2022

    Community Monuments Fund 2022

    The Community Monuments Fund will have €5 million in 2022 to invest in archaeological heritage and help owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

    Old St Peter’s Church and Graveyard in Portlaoise benefitted from funding under the Community Monuments Fund in 2021

     

    Core Aims of the Fund

    The core aims of this Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments. It will:

    • enable conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support
    • build resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change
    • encourage access to monuments and improve their presentation.

    Project promoters are encouraged to incorporate a traditional skills training element in projects.

     

    Streams 1-3

    The Community Monuments Fund has 3 Streams:

    • Stream 1 will offer grants up to €85,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
    • Stream 2 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for development of Conservation Management Plans/Reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access.
    • Stream 3 will offer grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments (including COVID 19 public health measures).

    Eligible Projects

    The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:

    • Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended)
    • Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.

    Eligible projects will be drawn from the following categories:

    • projects proposed by a Local Authority in relation to archaeological monuments in public ownership , where a clear heritage focus and community or public benefit has been demonstrated
    • projects proposed by a Local Authority on foot of applications from private applicants who are the owners or custodians of relevant archaeological monuments where there is a tangible public benefit
    • projects with a clearly defined heritage focus and community or public benefit proposed directly to the Department by a State-funded organisation working in the heritage area.
    Killabban Medieval Church was conserved by the community the the help of the Community Monuments Fund in 2020 and 2021

    How to Apply

    Application Form A below should be submitted to Laois County Council by Tuesday 15th February 2022.

    Applications by email only to heritage@laoiscoco.ie.

    Application Form: Community Monuments Fund 2022 Form A Applications

    Full scheme rules and further details: Community Monuments Fund 2022 Explanatory Memorandum

    Dysart Enos Church during CMF Funded works in 2021
  • PORTLAOISE PLANE MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN HOME

    PORTLAOISE PLANE MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN HOME

    The plane last seen in public in Portlaoise over 100 years ago, when it was one of the first planes in Ireland to take to the skies, returned home to Portlaoise on Sunday. A huge gathering of well-wishers, heritage and aviation enthusiasts gathered in the spacious grounds of Laois Music Centre to view the newly restored plane, to hear the story of its journey so far and to hear music composed in honour of Portlaoise’s other great aviation hero, Col. James Fitzmaurice.

    Laois County Council Chief Executive John Mulholland; Cllr Thomasina Connell, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Conor Bergin and Teddy Fennelly, President of Laois Heritage Society with the plane at the Portlaoise Plane official return on Sunday 12th September 2021.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    Addressing the gathering, Cllr Conor Bergin Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council said “The Plane was designed and built in Aldritt’s Garage Portlaoise by Frank Aldritt and his sons with the help of master carpenter John Conroy – the first plane to be built and take to the air in what is now the Republic of Ireland –and here today we celebrate the vision, creativity, imagination and originality of those Portlaoise men of the past. But it’s also important for us to celebrate the achievement of the people who have rescued this priceless artefact from obscurity.”

    Members of the Aldritt family at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    The Cathaoirleach continued “we must remember Joe Rogers, who first highlighted the continued existence of the plane in a private collection in England; Teddy Fennelly and Alan Phelan who pursued the plane and persuaded the owner to part with it and allow it to return home; Brendan O’Donoghue and Johnny Molloy who painstakingly worked on the craft to restore it to its shining glory and Tim Costelloe who informed and inspired all those involved from the start of the project, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for all aspects of Irish aviation and in particular in designing the replica engine we see on display here today with the plane.”

    Enjoying the plane at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    As well as being a valuable artefact on its own right, the Portlaoise Plane is linked to Portlaoise’s other major aviation story: A young James Fitzmaurice records in his memoirs that he witnessed the construction of the plane and was also present when it made its first short experimental flight. This early exposure to the excitement of flight was credited by Fitzmaurice with inspiring him in his career as a pioneering aviator. This links the Portlaoise Plane directly with the first east-west transatlantic flight – elevating the story and confirming the place of Portlaoise as the centre of Irish aviation history.

    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.

    Chairman of the Heritage Council Michael Parsons speaking at the event on Sunday said “The Heritage Council encourages national and local exploration and appreciation of Ireland’s rich natural, built and cultural heritage. The Portlaoise Plane tells a story of exploration, bravery and derring do, that should make the Aldritt, Conroy and Rogers families very proud of their ancestors. All of us in Laois and Ireland can join in celebrating this great story of these pioneers of Irish Aviation. The Heritage Council commends Laois County Council for its warm support of the Portlaoise Plane. I personally wish that the plane will soon be on permanent display where it belongs – here in Portlaoise”.

    Members of the Irish Air Corps at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    All speakers paid tribute to Teddy Fennelly, aviation enthusiast and author of the book “Fitz and the Famous Flight. John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council said “Teddy has rescued both the aviation story and the plane for the people of Portlaoise. He has motivated everyone with his selfless drive and enthusiasm and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for saving and helping to restore this vital part of our heritage.”

     

    Speaking about the Plane and its restoration, Teddy Fennelly thanked the many people who had helped along the way, mentioning in particular the staff of Laois County Council’s Portlaoise MD, who have generously assisted with the safe storage of the plane in Portlaoise for the past number of months. He also paid tribute to the Management and Elected members of Laois County Council who he said had always supported heritage projects in Laois and had been generous in their support of this project to date.

    Brendan O’Donoghue, lead restorer of the plane; Teddy Fennelly, President of Laois Heritage and Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, General Officer in command, Irish Air Corps at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    The Portlaoise Plane event was bookended by the performance of extracts from “The Impossible Dream” composed by Martin Tourish to commemorate the life and achievements of Col James Fitzmaurice. The music which was commissioned by Music Generation Laois with funding from Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017 – 2022, was performed by members of the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, accompanied by Martin Tourish and Siobhan Buckley.

    The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra performing at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    MC of the event Alan Phelan commended the young musicians and their tutors, paying special tribute to Rosa Flannery, coordinator of Music Generation Laois and the driving force behind many unique creative projects in the county. At the end of the event, Alan asked Brendan O’ Donohue who spearheaded the restoration of the plane, and Tim Costello who carried out much of the research including the design of the replica engine also on display with the plane, to stand, and those gathered showed their appreciation of the two men with hearty applause.

    Chairman Alan Phelan with his family at the Portlaoise Plane Event. From left: Anita, Phyllis, Alan, Aoife and Aisling Phelan.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    The event was attended by representatives of the Irish Air Corps who paraded on at the start of proceedings and by members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 27 Portlaoise Branch, who provided a special guard of honour for the plane while it was in situ. General Officer in Command of the Irish Air Corps Brigadier General Rory O’Connor was an honoured and welcome guest. A fly-past of light aircraft from the Lime Tree Airfield just outside Portlaoise lent a further special aviation flavour to the historic event.

    The fly over by aircraft from the Lime Tree Flying Club at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.
    Members of the Conroy family at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    Col Fitzmaurice Archive

    In addition to restoring the Portlaoise Plane, Teddy Fennelly has been collecting original archive material relating to the flight and Fitzmaurice for many years – the first East West Transatlantic Flight was major international news both in Europe and the US, and was front page news on the New York Times for 19 days after the flight. Now, with thanks to Heritage Council funding, much of the collection has now been conserved by specialist paper conservator and digitised, and the and the Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee has ensured that the newspapers will be made publicly available through the digital archive of the Laois County Library Service.

     

    The archive project was brought about through the collaborative approach of the Laois County Council Culture Team – the piece of music commemorating James Fitzmaurice is another –showcasing how the culture Team members from the Heritage, Libraries, Arts, Music Generation and Archives work together through the Creative Ireland programme, to become more than the sum of their parts, and producing truly imaginative, ground breaking work.

    Committee member PJ Kavanagh with his family, Niamh, Noah and Suzie at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.
    Members of the UN Veterans Post 27 at the Portlaoise Plane Event.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.

    Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee

    The Portlaoise Plane event on Sunday was the final event of the year for the Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, which is made up of Teddy Fennelly, Alan Phelan, Michael Parsons, Louise Cahill, PJ Kavanagh, Sean Murray and Catherine Casey. The work of the group continues and more on the projects and plans of the Committee can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Fitzflight. More on the Portlaoise Plane Restoration Project is at https://portlaoiseplane.com/.

    Committee members, from left: Teddy Fennelly, Sean Murray, Michael Parsons, chairman of The Heritage Council; Louise Cahill, Alan Phelan and Catherine Casey at the Portlaoise Plane official return on Sunday 12th September 2021.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.
    Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, Teddy Fennelly, President of Laois Heritage Society; Michael Parsons, Chairman of The Heritage Council and Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer with the plane at the Portlaoise Plane official return on Sunday 12th September 2021.
    Picture: Alf Harvey.
  • Major event and exhibition celebrate Portlaoise’s Aviation History

    Major event and exhibition celebrate Portlaoise’s Aviation History

    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
    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 commemoration of Col Fitzmaurice and the first East- West Transatlantic flight are supported by Laois County Council, the Heritage Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Heritage Society and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. This is a project of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

      Heritage Council Logo

     

  • Planning notice for Fitzmaurice Place and Fort Protector Enhancements

    Planning notice for Fitzmaurice Place and Fort Protector Enhancements

    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.

    Heritage Council Logo                               

  • Draft Local Area Plans Published

    Draft Local Area Plans Published

    Draft Local Area Plans have been prepared for Portlaoise, Mountmellick and Portarlington (with Offaly County Council). The Draft Plans are on Public Display between 21st March and 8th May 2018, and submissions are invited during this time.

     

    The Portlaoise and Mountmellick Draft Local Area Plans can be viewed during normal opening hours at:

    Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise Co. Laois;

    Portlaoise Library, Dunamaise House, Lyster Square, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

    Mountmellick Library, O’Moore Street, Townparks, Mountmellick, Co. Laois.

     

    The Joint Portarlington Draft Local Area Plan can be viewed at:

    Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise;

    Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore;

    Portarlington Library, Main Street, Portarlington

     

    A drop-in information session will be held on all three draft plans at Áras an Chontae Portlaoise, 5th April 2018, 9.30am to 12.30pm

    Information sessions will also be held on each draft plan:

    PORTLAOISE Draft LAP

    Portlaoise Parish Centre, 10th April 2018, 7pm to 9pm

    PORTARLINGTON Draft LAP

    Portarlington Community Centre, 12th April 2018, 6pm to 8pm

    MOUNTMELLICK Draft LAP

    Mountmellick Library, 17th April 2018, 6pm to 8pm

     

    Making a Submission

    Submissions or observations regarding the Draft LAPs and the associated reports are invited from the public and interested bodies. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations. Written submissions or observations made on or before 4pm 8th May 2018, will be taken into consideration before the making of the Local Area Plans.

     

    Submissions may be made in one of the following ways:

    On the Portlaoise and Mountmellick Draft Local Area Plans:

    Write to: Senior Planner, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

    Email: portlaoiselap@laoiscoco.ie or mountmellicklap@laoiscoco.ie

     

    On the Joint Portarlington Draft Local Area Plan:

    Write to: Senior Planner, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave., Portlaoise, Co. Laois;

    Or Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly;

    Or email to: portarlingtonlap@laoiscoco.ie or portlap@offalycoco.ie.

     

    Please make your submission by one medium only, i.e. hard copy or e-mail.

    St Joseph's Catholic Church, Mountmellick
    St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mountmellick

     

    All submissions are to be clearly marked “Portlaoise LAP”, “Mountmellick LAP”, or “Portarlington Joint LAP” as applicable.

    Submissions in relation to zonings should be send to the Local Authority in which the subject land is located, i.e. Portarlington, Co. Laois or Portarlington, Co. Offaly.

     

    All submissions should include your name and a contact address, a map (where appropriate) and, where relevant, details of any organization, community group or company etc., which you represent.

     

    All submissions will form a part of the statutory Chief Executive’s report to be presented to the elected members of Laois County Council and in the case of the Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan to the Edenderry Municipal District of Offaly County council.

     

    The planning process is an open and public one, therefore all submissions/observations are a matter of public record and will be available for public viewing, and they may also be placed on the County Councils’ websites. Please include your name and contact details on a separate sheet to the content of your submission.

     

    LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED