Abbeyleix schools marks town's 250th anniversary with stunning art exhibition

ABBEYLEIX primary schools Scoil Mhuire and South School joined forces recently to launch an awesome art exhibition in the local library on Cruinniú na nÓg day. The event also kick-started the 250th anniversary of the founding of the heritage town.

Cruinniú na nÓg translates to Gathering of the Young and is an annual nationwide event dedicated to encouraging children to participate in cultural and creative activities.

The town of Abbeyleix was built c1775 on farmland owned by the de Vesci family, making it one of the earliest planned estate towns in Ireland. Descendant of the family, Lord Tom de Vesci, joined the children, parents and organisers for the art launch and the Abbeyleix 250 celebrations, both of which began on Saturday 7 June.

Local historian Noel Burke and Scoil Mhuire teacher Mary Egan initially approached David Broderick of Creative Ireland Laois with the idea of the primary schools coming together to create an art exhibition which would highlight the town over the years.

Local artist Aileen Donovan from Togher, who is behind the Gateway to Heaven painting which hangs in Heritage House, was asked to undertake the project and she happily agreed to work with the children of both schools.

Aileen got creative and asked Mountmellick Men’s Shed to make five trees that could each hold 50 small art pieces – one for each of the 250 years. She decorated the trees in her art studio and spent time with the children in their schools during the creative process. The children of both schools embraced the opportunity to display their artistic skills and to contribute to the cultural tapestry of their community.

The pupils were given six topics on which to base their artwork – modern Abbeyleix, the people of Abbeyleix, its folklore, education, buildings of the heritage town and the Famine.

Around 140 children from both schools got busy and the five trees were filled with wonderful displays of their creative and historical artworks.

On the day, procedures began outside the library with John Nolan, chairperson of the Abbeyleix 250 committee and manager of Morrissey’s Pub, launching the children’s striking exhibition and opening the celebrations to commemorate the town’s special birthday.

Speaking to the gathering outside Abbeyleix Library, John thanked Fr Paddy Byrne and Canon Patrick Harvey, who held a joint prayer service. He also thanked James Carroll, Noel Burke, Aileen Donovan, Mary Egan, the students and artists of Scoil Mhuire and South School, Laois County Council, Abbeyleix Library and all of the volunteers who helped.

He said: “The trees that are on display in the front room were put together by Mountmellick Men’s Shed and designed by Aileen. As you all know, Abbeyleix is 250 years old this year and we are planning several events, with the art exhibition being the first. We all remember the story of Tír na nÓg from school – the land of the young – and Cruinniú na nÓg encourages kids in art and creativity. I think that Abbeyleix and the two schools have done us very proud.” John said there will be an information stall at the Abbeyleix House and Farm Family Day on Sunday 29 June, where details of other events for the Abbeyleix 250 will be available, which will include some free events for Heritage Week (16-24 August).

A video of the creative process showing the children working on their paintings is available to watch by scanning a QR code on the wall in the library.