Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival honours four unsung heroes
Michelle Robertson and David Delaney, with Eillen Dunne, Trudi Lalor and Noel Burke
PEOPLE from the four corners of the world descended on Laois last weekend for the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival weekend to celebrate the unsung heroes of the county.
This year’s four unsung heroes included Noel Burke from Abbeyleix, The Arc Project, Abbeyleix House and Farm Rescue Centre and Portlaoise’s Tom Duffy.
The presentations took place at a Gala Dinner in the Midlands Park, Portlaoise on Saturday night. The event was just one of many, which took place over the weekend to celebrate everything that is good about Laois.
Noel Burke of Abbeyleix was on this year’s ticket for his decades long work as a community activist and local historian. He worked in Portlaoise Maximum Security Prison as a prison officer for over 30 years and has been heavily involved in the broader community since he retired in 2008. Mr Burke’s bibliography includes Abbeyleix Celebrates 250, Granddad, Tell Us Another Story and the Stories I was Told: Short Stories of Abbeyleix.
The Arc Project is a peer-led, 100 per cent voluntary community initiative aimed at anyone who is affected by addiction, be they individuals, families or friends. It offers a weekly facilitated space where people can relax, be heard and use practical tools for coping. It also has a café, provides workshops, talks and various events and supports education and training studies in community and addiction. The Arc Project was founded by Michele Robertson and David Delaney.
Abbeyleix House and Farm is a historical estate dating back to the 1700s and is now a private residence that operates a working farm and animal rescue centre. The rescue aspect of the estate is focused on the equine and at the moment there are over 60 rescue horses and ponies that call the estate home able to roam across the vast pastures in joyful abandon. This celebrated part of Abbeyleix House and Farm is run in collaboration with My Lovely Horse Rescue.
Finally, Portlaoise’s Tom Duffy was celebrated for his eight-year long crusade to assist homeless people throughout the country and those who are at risk of becoming homeless, which he runs as an independent volunteer.
The guest of honour at this year’s festival was former RTÉ broadcaster Eileen Dunne, who was presented with an award celebrating her lifetime of achievements by SuperVet
and Laois native, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.
See also page 12
