Civic Honours

The Local Government Act 2001 confers power on a Local Authority to honour distinguished persons in a manner that the Authority deems to be appropriate. Laois County Council and the Town Councils of Portlaoise and Mountmellick have adopted protocols that relate to the awarding of Civic Honours and the holding of Civic Receptions. This has been done with the aspiration of recognising the achievements and contributions of both persons and bodies to social, cultural and economic life in the county.

Click on the link at the bottom of this page to view the summaries of the various Protocols that apply with regard to the according of Civic Honours.

The three Local Authorities are committed to recognising the achievements of persons and organisations associated with the county. Decisions to award Civic Honours are made on the basis of the maxim that“What is seldom is Wonderful”. On some occasions, an achievement is recognised to have been very significant which while not being so significant as to merit the according of a Civic Reception is never the less considered to be worthy of being recognised. Such achievements are recognised by the awarding of a Cathaoirleach’s Reception.

The attached summarisations of the protocols for the awarding of Civic Honours set out the conditions that apply with regard to the awarding of Civic Receptions and Cathaoirleach’s or Mayor’s Receptions. Civic Receptions are accorded by the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council in recognition of achievements that relate to the county in its entirety. Civic Receptions are accorded by the Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Town Council and the Mayor of Mountmellick Town Council in recognition of achievements that relate to those towns in particular.

Cathaoirleach’s Receptions are accorded by the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, the Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Town Council or the Mayor of Mountmellick Town Council in recognition of achievements that are of significance that relate to specific localities throughout the county which while not being so significant as to merit the according of a Civic Reception are never the less considered to be worthy of being recognised.

Civic Honours - Summary of Protocols