Action-packed Heritage Week launched in Laois
Walter Lawler, Laois Libraries; Oisín Neeson, Laois Heritage Office; Teddy Fennelly, Laois Heritage; Bernie Foran, County Laois Librarian; Thomas Carolan, Laois Heritage Officer; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach; Julie Bergin, LCC Director of Finance and Culture; Simon Walton, Acting Chief Executive LCC and Michael Parsons, Laois Heritage at the launch of Heritage Week in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey
THE historic Old St Peter’s Church and Graveyard in Portlaoise was the appropriate setting for the launch of Heritage Week, with a huge range of events from Saturday 16 to Sunday 24 August.
Officially launching the annual celebration, Laois Co Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh highlighted the importance of connections with the past, as he noted that he became the county’s first citizen 105 years after his great great-grandfather held the same role.
When he was elected Cathaoirleach last June, Cllr Walsh followed in the footsteps of his ancestor James McMahon, who was elected to Laois Co Council in 1899 for the Cullenagh area and was chair from 1920-1921.
The Fine Gael representative from Ballyroan told the launch gathering: “It gives me a strong sense of connection with the past and tradition in Laois, which makes me very proud.”
Cllr Walsh recalled that he was surrounded every day by the magnificent Heywood Gardens, famously designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, when he was going to school at Heywood CS in Ballinakill.
He said: “When you’re younger, you can sometimes take these things for granted but what’s certain is that our heritage in all its forms sustains us, from family history to our landscape.
“We have a responsibility to protect it, promote it and increase awareness of it and that is exactly what this week is designed to do.”
Heritage Officer Thomas Carolan described Heritage Week as a unique opportunity for people to learn and experience something new about the built, natural or cultural heritage in their area.
He said: “Heritage Week is made possible only by the voluntary work of the event organisers. Whether it’s a history talk, farm walk or craft exhibition, it takes time and effort to prepare and organise these events, so I’d like to thank all those in Laois who have organised events this year.”
Tours of Emo Court, Stradbally Hall and Dongahmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum will be on offer, while libraries and other venues will host fascinating talks, craft workshops and much more.
The long list of local events includes a guided walk through the beautiful landscape of Meredith Organic Farm, talks on the architecture of Portarlington and a journey of discovery titled ‘A History of Trees and their Usage’ in Mountrath.
The 2025 Laois Heritage Week Event Guide is available on the Laois Co Council website https://laois.ie/laoisheritageweekguide2025, with a limited number of printed event guides available in local libraries.
