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(22/Nov/2011)
Members of Laois Heritage Forum Marty Phelan MCC and Tom Cox with Chairman of LCC John Bonham MCC and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan T.D. at County Hall for the launch of THATCH - Voices From Traditional Houses of County Laois.
“THATCH - VOICES FROM THE TRADITIONAL HOUSES OF COUNTY LAOIS” is written by Mary Ann Williams in conjunction with Bronagh Lanigan and Sinead Hughes of Architectural Recording and Research (AR&R) with illustrations by Mairtin D’Alton and photograthy by James Fraher and Alf Harvey.
The Book was published by Laois County Council with the support of The Heritage Council and officially launched by Mr. Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on Monday 21st November 2011 in Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise.
Chairman of LCC John Bonham MCC; Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan T.D.; County Manager Peter Carey; County Librarian Gerry Meagher; Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council and author Mary Ann Williams at County Hall for the launch of THATCH - Voices From Traditional Houses of County Laois.
Angela McEvoy from the Heritage Office, Laois County Council says, “The Heritage Office is delighted to welcome the publication of this book, which celebrates the thatched houses of County Laois and the people who live in and look after them”.
This book is an action of the Laois Heritage Plan 2007 – 2011 and follows on from a comprehensive survey of thatch in the county carried out in 2007. Its publication reflects the high priority given to thatch by the public in Laois and the members of the Laois Heritage Forum and Laois County Council.
Presently just 55 thatched houses survive in Laois; of that number only 34 are inhabited. In contrast, the 1911 Census shows that in the townland of Dysartgallen alone there were 57 thatched houses.
One hundred years ago, many people in Laois lived in thatched houses that they had made and maintained for generations. Understanding how these houses were built and who lived in them is a valuable part of the history of our county.
The book celebrates both the thatched houses themselves and the people associated with them, past and present. The thatched houses that remain have, after all, survived because of the love, care and attention of the people in whose care they have been entrusted. “The Book is a testament to the families that were reared in these houses, and the generations who have lovingly maintained and kept them” said Ms McEvoy. This book started out being about houses and ended up being about the people who lived in them.
Thatch is an integral part of the architectural heritage of County Laois. This book will help to ensure that thatch will remain relevant into the future.
The Book is available to purchase for €5 from the Heritage Office or at the Cash Office, Motor Tax, County Hall, Portlaoise.
Heritage News and Events
For regular news features and updates check out Laois Heritage Forum on Facebook
To have your postal or e-mail addresses included on the Heritage Office database, to ensure that you are notified directly about news and upcoming events, please contact the Heritage Officer using the link on the right.
(26/Apr/2011)
Submissions are now invited in the draft Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan. The plan is on display in Abbeyleix Branch Library. It can also be downloaded from http://www.laois.ie/LeisureandCulture/Heritage/HeritagePublications/ or requested via e-mail to ccasey@laosicoco.ie.
Submissions should be sent to Loci, 1 Butler Court, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, by 29th April 2011
(01/Apr/2011)
You are invited to a meeting on the draft Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan
In Abbeyleix Heritage House on Monday 18th April 2011, at 8 pm
The draft Plan will present a draft vision and strategy for the future sustainable development of Abbeyleix. After the meeting, the draft Plan will be on display until 29th April 2011 and submissions on the draft are invited.
Submissions should be addressed to:
Loci, 1 Butlers Court, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Phone: 01 8814062, Email: info@loci.ie
The Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan is a project of Laois County Council
with the support of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
(16/Feb/2009)
A new book on the built and natural heritage of the Mountmellick Canal has been published by Laois County Council with the assistance of the Heritage Council.
The book was inspired and informed by a detailed survey of the industrial heritage and wildlife of the now disused canal branch line from Monasterevin to Mountmellick, which was carried out in 2006 by Fred Hamond and John Feehan. Previous work by members of the Heritage Council Waterways Committee and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland was also very helpful in drawing together the story of the Canal.
Family archive photos and interviews with local people around Mountmellick and Portarlington are used throughout the book to bring the social history of the Canal to life. Details of the wildlife and habitats that have flourished along the line of the Canal since it closed to boat traffic form a fascinating other side to the story of the Canal.
The book has been designed and written for a general audience and it is hoped that it will bring the story of canals in Ireland to a wider audience.
Copies are available free of charge from Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer, Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Co Laois. The book can also be downloaded in pdf format. The original technical report is also available to download.
(21/Apr/2011)
Submissions are invited from the public on the draft Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan, prepared for Laois County Council by Loci Consultants.
The plan is available to download here, Draft Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan and can be viewed in Abbeyleix Library.
Submisions should be addressed to Loci, 1 Butlers Court, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, or by e-mail to info@loci.ie.
The deadline for comment is has been extended to 6th May, 2011.
Heritage Week in Laois, August 2011
Heritage Week runs from Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th August this year. With over 40 fun-filled events around the county, most of them free, there really is something for everyone.
Events range from historical talks, genealogy workshops and art classes to bog walks, traditional Céilís and museum exhibtions.
Full details on this year's Heritage Week events in Laois are available here, or contact Laois Heritage Office to request a copy of the full leaflet.
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