Calls to promote a structure that reflects a historical time in Laois

A LOCAL councillor has called on the council to promote the little known structures that are located just off the Father Brown Avenue Roundabout in Portlaoise.

Completed two years ago the structure titled ‘Protectour’ is a large permanent artwork marking the gateway to the town of Portlaoise and the footprint of the historic Old Fort.

The structure has seven smaller concrete forms accompanying it reflecting the Seven Septs of Laois - O’Devoy (O’Deevy), O’Doran, O’Dowling, McEvoy, O’Kelly, O’Lalor and O’Moore) - the Gaelic tribes that the Fort was built to suppress. These were the original Gaelic clans that were ‘transplanted’ out of Laois to Munster. The large portal and the smaller forms represent a historic transfer of power in Laois. 

There is also a time capsule hidden away inside the artwork.

At the November meeting of councillors from the Portlaoise Municipal District Council cllr Tommy Mulligan called on the council to promote the structures as well as provide information boards, inscriptions or signs on them to promote and generate interest and inform locals and tourists what they represent.

Cllr Mulligan, who is also a school teacher said: “This is a fascinating part of our history that goes back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It’s a part of our history that’s not reported on in our history books, even at a local level.

“There’s an incredible amount of people who are not even aware of the story. 

"It’s when the English invaded and tried to take over our land. The clans fought back. Owny O’Moore was killed and an agreement was reached with the Seven Septs, the seven clans, that the fighting would stop and they’d be transported and resettled in north Kerry.”

He said: “It’s great that the monument is there, but unfortunately there’s not enough awareness around it. A lot of people around town said they were not aware that the monument is even there. I asked people who are aware that it’s there, what is stands for, and a tiny percent told me that they actually know the story behind it.”

“We should be promoting this around tourism,” said cllr Mulligan. 

“ There’s a lot of people passing by it going to matches in O’Moore Park. We should be promoting it as an attraction as well as part of our history and informing people what it represents.

“There’s plates on the monuments, but no inscriptions on them and there needs to be signage. We have it there so let’s promote it.” 

Cllr Marie Tuohy agreeing said: “We should take pride in our heritage and in our history. It’s important for locals as well as tourists.”