Willow weaver Paul is an artist specialising in traditional crafts with an emphasis on sustainability and appreciation of our natural environment. Join Paul in the library entrance throughout Saturday 28th June and join in the creative journey of weaving under his gentle guidance.Read More
The Laois Local Studies Coffee morning will take place on Saturday 28th June at 11am in Portlaoise Library. As part of the Old Fort Quarter Festival we are delighted to host archaeologist Colm Flynn to speak on his discoveries when excavating the Old Fort Quarter, including the interior of the Fort of Maryborough, the area...Read More
A day of outdoor heritage events begins on Sunday 29th June at 11am with Tales, Folklore and Music on the Rock of Dunamase. Join Michelle Quirke and Regina Dunne for an enchanting morning filled with captivating stories, ancient folklore, and soul-stirring music at the breathtaking and Rock of Dunamase. Immerse yourself in the rich history and...Read More
Take a history tour of the Old Fort Quarter with renowned local historians Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June at 2.30 pm. Starting from the front of Portlaoise Library you will be taken on a walking tour of old Portlaoise as Teddy and Michael regale you with stories of...Read More
As part of the Old Fort Quarter Festival, Portlaoise Library is delighted to be hosting “The Big Dig”, a hands-on archaeology workshop for children aged 6–12. Participants will explore a replica Viking house and excavation site, learning how to uncover Viking artefacts with guidance from qualified archaeologists. As they dig, children will discover replica treasures...Read More
Tom Burnell will talk on his Irish Great War Dead Archive, a searchable database of servicemen with connections to Ireland who died in the Great War, 1914-1918. Tom Burnell is a military historian and author of ‘The War Dead’ series and ‘Irishmen of the Great War.’ He has spent over twenty years researching this topic....Read More
Historian Cormac Moore will provide a talk based on his recent publication of the same title. His book provides a comprehensive account of how the Irish Revolution affected all sections of society in Laois and how its effects reverberated for years thereafter. It explores how Laois experienced seismic national events – the third home rule crisis, the First...Read More
Historian John Dorney will provide a general overview of the Irish Civil War Fatality Project, a project in which he and UCC historian Dr Andy Bielenberg, have enumerated the civilian and combatant fatalities of the war, allowing for a wide-ranging analysis of the nature and geographic distribution of the casualties and their impact. John Dorney...Read More
Laois Local Studies was established to collect, preserve and make available for reference, material relating to the history and heritage of County Laois.
