Journal documents fascinating people, events and places in Laois
The latest journal by Laois Heritage Society that was launched recently
LAOIS Heritage Society launched its 11th issue of its local history journal in the Midland Park Hotel recently.
The launch was held as part of the annual Laois Heritage Seminar which was also organised by Laois Heritage Office.
The latest journal is full of interesting articles on the history of Laois with contributions covering events of the past from many parts from around the county, from the Gaelic Ireland to recent times.
Articles range from nostalgic pieces and social history to new work that challenges accepted historical views.
The publication contains 20 articles by 19 different contributors, ranging from Laois Heritage Society members such as Teddy Fennelly, Regina Dunne, Jackie Hyland, Martin Finn and Sinead Holland, to popular local writers such as John Dunne, James Bennett, Paul Delany, Enda McEvoy and Bernadette Dunne.
The journal includes articles by academic and international contributors such as John Stocks Powell, Paul MacCotter, James G. Ryan, Niall Moore, Sharon Kelly and Laois native Mairtin D’Alton.
A range of lesser-known Laois people who made an impact at home or abroad are also included such as boxer Joe Kerry, brewer John Kinder Labatt and politician Patrick Doran, to Laois people completely forgotten in time such as the 18th century servants of Durrow Castle, the women of Cumann na mBan and the Septs of Laois - who don’t appear on roundabouts.
Other articles explore the earliest history of Laois places, such as the Rock of Dunamase, the old town of Portarlington and the Commons of Maryborough, while others reveal the significance of structures such as the Tentore House, Portarlington Tholsel, the Electric Cinema and buildings on Bull Lane.
The journal tells of tuberculosis in Laois and the sanatorium that didn’t survive, a local tramway that never happened and the Laois connection to Ireland’s first ever ‘Talkie.’
Women are not overlooked either with articles on the forgotten Laois women of Cumann na mBan and the Volunteer Aid Detachment.
Niall Moore and Sharon Kelly have written an article that uses DNA to question some of our core assumptions on early Laois history, such as the Seven Septs of Laois and the O’Moore genealogy.
Paul Mac Cotter’s article on the early history of Dunamase also interrogates our long accepted local history beliefs.
There are two articles relating to early cinema in Laois, a lovely nostalgic piece on the Electric Cinema by Paul Delany and one on the Laois connection to Ireland’s first talkie.
Local historian John Dunne, a reliable and valued contributor, has an article on the history of Bull Lane and one on TB and the Queen’s County Sanatorium.
Overall it is a nice mix of well researched articles covering many places in Laois in many points in time.
Copies of the journal, priced at €20 each are available to purchase from all local bookshops or through the committee or by emailing Laoisheritagesocietywebsite@gmail.com.
