Music Rich Schools
Music Rich Schools is a Music Generation Laois outreach project that targets DEIS schools in County Laois, to ensure every child in these schools were given the opportunity to access performance music education, regardless of economic, cultural or social barriers. Details here.
Laois Local Studies Digital Archive
The new Local Studies website provides a platform for digitally archiving, an ever-expanding Library resource comprising of digital copies of records and publications within the Laois Collection and digital copies of Laois material held elsewhere. Details here.
In Laois I Fly Free by Laura Murphy
Inspired by the history, mythology and beauty of Laois, Portlaoise-based poet Laura Murphy has composed a powerful tribute to the county, ‘In Laois I Fly Free’ was launched online on Wednesday 5th January 2022. Details here.
Laois arts officer Muireann Ni Chonaill with the production team of Terry Byrne, videographer/director; Sandy Middleton, creative manager/producer; Poet Laura Murphy and Dale McKay, musician at County Hall for the launch of a new video poem for Laois by poet Laura Murphy and collaborators. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council and the Arts Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Abbeyleix Climate Project wins major national award
The Abbeyleix Climate Action Project has been awarded the prestigious Supporting Sustainable Communities award in the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. Details here.
In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. 10 Years at the Laois Arthouse
Laois Arthouse celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new exhibition In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. inspired by a poem by critically-acclaimed poet Pat Boran. Open times until Fri 25 March : Tues. – Fri. (13:00 – 16:00) and by appointment. Admission is free. No need to book during these hours. Details here.
Music Generation Laois Summer School of Rock and Pop 2021
A 2 week music programme for young people in Laois. Details here
Storywalk at playgrounds across Laois
Laois Libraries brought the library service outdoors this summer. Details here
Senior infants from Scoil Phadraig Naofa B.N.S. listen to author Jennifer Farley at Mountmellick Playground for the launch of the Laois County Library Service ‘Storywalk’ which is supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
LASTA Young Curators 2021 – Dunamaise Arts Centre
Alannah Murray, Pauline Dunne and Ruairdhí Tierney selected for the Young Curators programme via an Open Call earlier in 2021. Details here.
Fadó Faces Exhibition
An outdoor drive-by art exhibition celebrating the lives and stories of older people in Laois. Details here
Leaves 2021 : Festival of Writing & Music
The 14th annual festival of writing and music in Laois takes place from 2nd to 7th November. Details here
Ronnie Mathews Archive
Work has commenced on archiving the Ronnie Mathews Archive. More details here.
With the Ronnie Mathews Collection at Bloom HQ Mountrath, from left: Tim Mathews, son of Ronnie Mathews; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian and Orla Connaughton, Archivist. The project is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Talking Art – Creativity in Older Age
Azure Dementia Inclusive Training for artists with a visual arts background: Details here
Musical Memories and Ukulele Ceili – Creativity in Older Age
Musical Memories is a Song-Singing project that commenced in June 2020 in response to the social isolation experienced by older people in Laois cocooning and in residential care homes. Details here
Equipment and co-create grants
Details of grants for 2021 here
Culture Night
Details of events organised by Creative Ireland Laois for Culture Night 2021 on September 17th are here.
Laois Short Film Bursary 2021
Recipients of the 2021 Laois Short Film Bursary Award are writer/director Mícheál Fleming and producer Michael-David McKernan from SwanDive Productions for their film Superhuman. Details here
The inaugural recipients of the 2021 Laois Short Film Bursary Award are writer/director Mícheál Fleming and producer Michael-David McKernan from SwanDive Productions for their film Superhuman pictured at County Hall for the presentation with Cllr Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Know Your Locality Course
The Know your locality Course was delivered online by the Irish Heritage School in September 2021, with a field trip in October. Details here.
Cruinniu na nÓg
Details of all the events in Laois for Cruinniú na nÓg 2021 – Cruinniú na nÓg 2021