The Laois Sculpture Trail

The Laois Sculpture Trail is a major public art initiative, instigated by Laois County Council in 1993.  The initial project, generously sponsored by McKeon Stone in Stradbally, resulted in the creation of six pieces of limestone sculpture, which are sited at different locations around the county. Highlights of the Symposium included Schools Outreach Programme, this involved visits by  primary and post primary student to the  stone yard to see the work in progress.  The sculptors visited schools and gave slide presentation of their work. 

The Sculpture Trail

• Portlaoise
  'Instruments' by Mary McGinty
  James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise
  
• Stradbally
  'Lost by Dave Lambert
  Court Square, Stradbally
  
• Mountmellick
  'Standing Stones' by Eileen McDongh
  Library Grounds, Mountmellick
  
• Portarlington
  'The reclining Bather' by Dick Joynt
  Relief Road, Portarlington
  
• Mountrath
  'Two Piece Standing Stone' by Kieran Melody
  Riverside Walk, Mountrath
  
• Abbeyleix
  'Gailine' by Cliodna Cussen
  Temperance Street, Abbeyleix

Background

Up to the time of the Sculpture Symposium in the county there was no modern Public Art in the county.  The syposium created six pieces of sculpture for six principal towns.  The Sculptors Society of Ireland gave much assistance to the project through sponsorship in kind, adverting the competition, and assisting in setting it up.  On 12th November 1994 the Laois Sculpture Trail was launched, with accompanying booklet. - Limited copies are still available from the Arts Office