Latest Laois News: All around Portarlington Way
Latest news from Emo, Killenard and Portarlington
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
The Committee of St John’s Cemetery Killenard would like to thank the management and staff at Portarlington Credit Union for their generous donation to the fund for the upkeep of the Cemetery. They also want to thank all who have donated to their Go fund me page. If you would like to donate, please click on the link here. You can also donate to Committee members Pat Cooper and Eddie Slevin.
GOOD LUCK NICOLE
Wishing Nicole Turner all the very best in Tokyo. Nicole left Portarlington on Sunday August 1 & will be away from her family in Garryhinch until September 8. Nicole will swim in her first event on August 25. Wishing Nicole all the success in the world at her second Paralympic games, and hoping she has the best time ever.
CU CASH DRAW
Portarlington Credit Union cash draw is taking place on next Friday August 13,
with up to €20,000 in cash prizes to be won. If you have not entered for this month, don’t worry, you still have time.
LOVE PORT
The Love Port office has moved from the Community Centre to the old Boys School in Patrick St. Their new phone no is 057 8608395. Call in to see them. Office hours are- Mon – Thurs 9am-2pm. Fri 9am-12:30pm, or email on info@portarlington.ie
SENIOR ALARMS
Do you qualify for the Seniors Alert Scheme?
Are you over 65? Then you may be entitled to the Seniors Alert Scheme.
Contact the Love Portarlington Office at 057 8608395. E-Mail-
info@portarlington.ie
SYMPATHY
Deepest sympathy to Nora Brennan and family Portlaoise road on the death of Nora’s sister Mary Fennelly (nee Deffew), Harbour St Mountmellick who passed away on Thursday July 29. Mary was predeceased by her husband Joe. She will be sadly missed by her daughters Liz (Coss), Joyce (Fenlon) & Helen (Fenlon), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Pad, sisters Nora & Rita, extended family, neighbours and friends. Funeral Mass took place on Saturday July 31 at St Joseph’s Church Mountmellick, with burial at St Joseph’s Cemetery. May Mary’s gentle soul rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to Jimmy Lynch & family Portlaoise road on the death of his brother Joe Lynch, Killeen Mountmellick who passed away on Friday July 30. Joe was predeceased by his sisters Kitty & Betty and recently by his brother Billy. Joe will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mai (nee O’Donnell), daughter Paula & son Brendan, brother Jimmy, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours& friends. Funeral Mass took place on Thursday July 29 at St Paul’s Church Emo, with burial after in the new Cemetery Emo. May Joe rest in Peace.
Latest Laois News: Audit points to inadequate Portarlington cycling infrastructure
Deficiencies in Portarlington Cycling Infrastructure highlighted in recent audit
Audit of busy Portarlington route shows inadequate infrastructure for cyclists
Urgent works are needed in Portarlington to improve cycling infrastructure, according to local Green Party representative John Holland. He has conducted a cycling audit using the Cycle Route Assessment Checklist designed by Cyclist.ie, the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network. The route audited covers a busy 2km route from Portarlington Railway Station to Market Square and is included as a planned cycling route in the Draft Portarlington Regeneration Strategy.
Mr. Holland is urging other cyclists in Portarlington to use the same audit tool (see link; CRAC: Cycle Route Assessment CHECKLIST | Cyclist.ie – The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network) to assess the same or different routes from the perspective of users of all ages and abilities and to send the survey results to him or directly to Laois County Council Roads Department (roadsadmin@laoiscoco.ie).
He is also calling on Laois County Council to carry out detailed surveys of all busy town centre roads and streets to assess options for cycling infrastructure and is also calling on the Council to carry out the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan called for in the Draft Portarlington Regeneration Strategy 2030.
“I have carried out a detailed survey of a busy 2km planned cycling route using the Cycle Route Assessment Checklist. We need to show Laois County Council that work on this route is urgently needed and this survey can be an effective way of evidencing local support for better cycling infrastructure. It is an easy survey to complete, you simply decide on a route to survey, read the survey questions in advance, cycle the route keeping in mind the survey questions and fill out the survey when you complete the route”. Images of the route can be added if this can be done safely and these can be useful, especially of any particular pinch-points or dangerous areas.
Mr. Holland further stated that “using the audit tool allowed me to assess the overall quality of cycling infrastructure on this busy route and I would urge other cyclists to use the same tool and send the results to me or to Laois County Council Roads Department. The results of my audit are far from positive and highlight the shocking disregard for cyclists in Portarlington from a planning and investment perspective. Traffic in Portarlington is worsening all the time and we urgently need to reduce transport emissions so we need to see a proactive approach from the Council in this area to really prioritise sustainable modes of transport”.
Considering the information in the audit, Minister Pippa Hackett said “the audit shows that the vast majority of this particular route contains no cycle lanes and no cycling infrastructure of any kind, and I have written to Laois County Council stating that this route needs to be prioritised. Improving Active Travel infrastructure is a heavily funded Programme for Government commitment and I would encourage individuals and communities to utilise this audit tool to gather data about cycle routes in their area which can go a long way in assisting with positive change in local mobility policy”.
The Cyclist.ie tool is designed to enable citizens to provide feedback and concerns to local authorities on existing/new/proposed cycle routes. Public space is a valuable but limited resource and is maximised when co-designed by the community. Getting as much community feedback as possible is crucial in ensuring that any cycling infrastructure installed is suitable for all users, especially the most vulnerable road users.
SYMPATHY
It was with great sadness that word came through in Portarlington of the sudden death of Seamus Colgan, Clondoolusk onTuesday August 3. Seamus will be sadly missed by his heartbroken partner Ciara (Fagan), parents Jim & Ann Colgan, brother Niall & his partner Becky (McGee), sister Philomena & her husband Darren (Whelan), his beloved nieces, Ciaras parents, Martin & Marian Fagan, extended family, neighbours & many friends in Ireland & Australia. Funeral Mass took place in St Michael’s Church, Portarlington, with burial after in St Michael’s Cemetery. May Seamus soul rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Linda Menzies (nee Cummins), Bracklone St, Portarlington & formerly Surrey, England, who passed away on Monday August 2. Linda will be sadly missed by her husband Colm, son Adam, brother Peter, sister Jackie, extended family & friends. A family cremation took place on Saturday August 7 at Mount Jerome Crematorium. May Linda rest in Peace.
PARISH OFFICE
The Parish office is back open, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Notices for Parish Newsletter should be sent by e-mail to portarlingtonparishoffice@eircom.net by Wednesday of each week. You can also phone 0578643004. Click here for latest Parish Newsletter.
ARLINGTON AFC
The Arlington AFC Juveniles are looking for U16 players. Check out their Facebook page for more details or contact 0858064858.
GRACEFIELD GAA
Lotto results for August 10th. Numbers drawn were 15-25-4-7. No winner of €2,000 Jackpot. €50 each to Gillian Rice, Janice O’Neill, Charlie Evans, Deirdre Connolly & Liz Hopkins. Promoter-Breda Flanagan. Next Jackpot-€2,200. Tickets from your usual seller, also from Centra Shop, Gracefield, and Anthony Early’s Shop Gracefield, or alternatively you can now do it online if you follow the link here.