Tipperary crows spoil Laois ice cream breaks!

CROWS flying in from Tipperary are spoiling ice cream breaks in a Laois village, a local councillor has suggested tongue-in-cheek.

A tree-sheltered limestone seat in Errill is ideal for enjoying a cool treat from the village shop, famous for its delicious cones.

Unfortunately, the commemorative seat installed in 2022 must be shunned by locals and visitors, as it is completely covered in large bird droppings that are not only an eyesore but also a health hazard.

“It’s a lovely bench but you wouldn’t sit on it,” Cllr John King told a council meeting this morning, as he quipped: “I think the crows come in from Ballacolla - or Tipperary!” 

The Rathdowney councillor said: “There’s a lady selling ice cream in the little shop there and there’s a lovely bench outside but you can’t sit in it. You wouldn't believe how bad it is, it's destroyed. It’s a common enough problem but I never saw it as bad as this year.” 

His comments came during a discussion about tree management policy, at the April meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr King said: “I was out in Errill on Sunday night and the stone seat was absolutely destroyed from crow droppings. If you look up, you can see the trees full of crows. They are much bigger than they were before.

“Residents told me that these birds are very noisy and annoying at night. I’ve also been told that the acid from crow droppings can destroy the paintwork and even bodywork on cars, if it is left too long.” 

Cllr King asked officials at the district meeting to have the Errill village trees cut back when the nesting season is over.

He said: “Some people don’t like trees being cut but they have to be, for safety and other reasons. You get your hair cut to have it nice and trees have to be cut as well.” 

The limestone seat and a commemorative plaque were installed as part of a project marking the 175th anniversary of the great famine, for which Errill Tidy Towns received the 2022 Laois County Heritage Week Award.

The installations are located near the site of what was once a soup kitchen, to feed desperate locals. The seat is inscribed with this message: ‘Rest here and remember all those from this locality who perished during the Great Hunger 1845 – 1852.'