Busy Summer for Laois Heritage Society
Busy Summer for Laois Heritage Society
The Laois Heritage Society has a busy Summer planned. The Annual Tour goes to Kilmainham Gaol, Collins’ Barracks and the GPO on Saturday July 16th. There has been huge interest in this trip and there is a waiting list for places.
There will be 2 Summer walks – the first with Archaeologist, Dr Eoin O’Sullivan will be around Rathdowney at 6pm Wednesday, July 20th. Michael will lead a walk around Cone Village on Wednesday 17th of September at 6pm.
Busy Summer for Laois Heritage Society Photo of Lea Castle, Portarlington thanks to Con Murphy Photography
For Heritage Week Michael Parsons will guide his now traditional walk around the sites of historical interest in Portlaoise on Saturday August 20th at 3pm. Then Ger Dooley who is an author and historian will give a talk entitled 1916 – 1923 on Monday, August 22nd And on Thursday, August 25th. Dr Arnold Horner, retired Lecturer of Geography from UCD will show us some of the old historical maps of Laois, about which he is in the process of writing a book. Both these talks take place at 8pm in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.
The annual Journal is close to completion and will be launched in Heath House in September – the date is yet to be decided. Having completed and published the Phase One Report on Fort Protector this year, we are now commencing Phase Two. Phase One dealt with the interesting history of the site and Phase Two will investigate its Archaeology. Fort Protector has huge international significance, being the oldest plantation fort in the English speaking world. So interesting times ahead for us all!
Old Fort Quarter Festival supported by Laois Heritage Society
The Society, along with the traders of Portlaoise and the County Council, is also involved in the upcoming Old Fort Festival, with historical talks being given by members several times over the weekend.
If you have any interest in local history, why don’t you join us in our endeavours the latest being our long-held dream to finally have a County Museum to celebrate the very rich history of Laois.