A series of workshops to encourage community participation in planning for the Centenary of the 1916 Rising will be held across Laois in May. A key part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is Community participation. While State ceremonial and historical commemorations at state level will be representative of the people of Ireland, it is vital that individuals and communities across the country – the citizens of Ireland - have an opportunity to make their own contributions.
To this end, three Public Workshops are being held across the County, to stimulate debate, inform people about the national context and to encourage participation in the development of plans for Laois. Dates and venues are below.
- 8pm on Monday, 11th May – Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise
- 8pm on Tuesday, 12th May – Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow
- 8pm on Wednesday 13th May – Stradbally Arthouse & Library
Each workshop will feature a summary of the national programme for Ireland 2016 as well as open discussion on how the period should be commemorated in Laois. Anyone with an interest in how we commemorate this pivotal period in our history as a nation is welcome to participate. Details of the Community Grant Fund for Laois 2016 will also be available at these meetings.
Laois County Council is working closely with the Ireland 2016 team in developing plans for the commemoration of the Centenary of the 1916 Rising in Laois. A co-coordinator has been appointed (Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer) and she is working with the Laois Commemorations Committee to develop a draft plan for the commemoration in Laois. The Commemoration Committee is made up of Elected Members of Laois County Council, representatives of the Arts, Libraries, Heritage and Tourism Sections, and representatives of various sections of the community, including Laois Heritage Society, the Laois Education Centre, The Dunamaise Arts Centre and Laois Partnership.
Further information is available from Catherine Casey, Ireland 2016 Co-ordinator for Laois, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois, phone 057-866 4129, email ccasey@laoiscoco.ie.
Information on the national programme for Ireland 2016 is available here. Details of the community elements of the programme are outlined here.
