Laois Heritage Society

Promoting the Natural and Built Heritage of County Laois

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Articles on Laois and Laois Connections, History, Local history

Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator

Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator by Teddy Fennelly World War One hastened the advancement of aircraft technology. From use as an experimental armament of war in 1914, its…

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June 20, 2019
Articles on Laois and Laois Connections, History, Local history

The History of The Maltings, Portlaoise.

The History of The Maltings, Portlaoise. By Mervyn McGahey The Maltings in Portlaoise was established in 1866 by John Wrafter, Clonaslee, Licensed Maltster. This is according to the stone over…

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May 13, 2019
Articles on Laois and Laois Connections, History, Local history

Crime and Punishment in Queen’s County: Agrarian Crime of the 1830s and Famine Crime 1845 – 1849

Crime and Punishment in Queen’s County: Agrarian Crime of the 1830s and Famine Crime 1845–1849 During the famine, there was widespread fear that the suffering of famine victims would erupt…

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May 13, 2019
  • Articles on Laois and Laois Connections,  History,  Local history

    The Gas Men of Maryborough

    January 18, 2025 /

    THE GAS MEN OF MARYBOROUGH John Dunne   On the evening of Thursday, January 21, 1858, the town of Maryborough (Portlaoise since 1920), was, for the very first time, lit by gas.  But why did this landmark event, this ‘brilliant spectacle’, [1] in the town’s history come as a surprise to the very Company set up to bring gas to the town? Let’s go back to when, so to speak, the first flame was lit… The first piped-gas street lamps appeared in Dublin in 1825. Almost thirty years later, in November 1854, local solicitor Thomas Turpin, ‘who always takes the lead in any matter for the improvement of Maryborough’, [2]…

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    You May Also Like

    Vicarstown Walk and Talk

    August 26, 2019

    Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator

    June 20, 2019

    St. Fiacc of Sleaty, Co. Laois

    May 13, 2019
  • Articles on Laois and Laois Connections

    Edward ‘Ned’ Despard

    November 5, 2022 /

    Check out the Nov/Dec 22 edition of History Ireland for a very interesting article by our Society President Teddy Fennelly. Teddy explores the history of the fascinating Edward Despard of Coolraine Co. Laois.

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    Vicarstown Walk and Talk

    August 26, 2019

    Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator

    June 20, 2019

    St. Fiacc of Sleaty, Co. Laois

    May 13, 2019
  • Articles on Laois and Laois Connections,  History,  Local history

    ULYSSES IN LAOIS by John Dunne

    July 11, 2022 /

    ULYSSES IN LAOIS by John Dunne Since it was first published in Paris in 1922, James Joyce’s Ulysses continues to have a curious sort of dual existence. On one hand, it is regularly proclaimed the Greatest Modernist Novel: on the other, it is one of the Most Unfinished Masterpieces of World Literature; year after year, copies are bought with the best of intentions but, often as not, end up languishing in bookcases, unsold in charity shops, yellowing behind the sofa, even – and I have seen this – strategically positioned and forgotten about on expensive shelves and coffee tables. But seldom read from beginning to end. On the simplest level,…

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    Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator

    June 20, 2019

    Cashel Man. A recent discovery of a Bog Body in Co. Laois. By Sean Murray

    June 25, 2019

    St. Fiacc of Sleaty, Co. Laois

    May 13, 2019
  • Articles on Laois and Laois Connections,  History,  Local history

    John Canon O’Hanlon – the man and his legacy by Teddy Fennelly

    May 3, 2021 /

    John Canon O’Hanlon (1821-1905) was an outstanding man of his generation.    His story is a marvellous one of a full life, well lived.   He was a man with a mission, in his search for knowledge and his sharing of it, in the spreading of the Christian message, and in his love for the country of his origins and her people. His huge literary output remains his greatest legacy.   When one considers that he also led a busy life as a parish priest and was never found wanting in the performance of his duties, his stamina and capacity for work is quite mind-boggling.   Dr. Walsh, the last of the three Archbishops…

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    admin 1 Comment

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    St. Fiacc of Sleaty, Co. Laois

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    Col. James Fitzmaurice – Ireland’s Greatest Aviator

    June 20, 2019

    Vicarstown Walk and Talk

    August 26, 2019
  • Articles on Laois and Laois Connections,  History

    The cholera pandemic of 1832 – presented a similar threat to Ireland as Covid 19

    June 15, 2020 /

    The cholera pandemic of 1832  – presented a similar threat to Ireland as Covid 19 Teddy Fennelly tells the story Ireland is in almost complete shutdown in an all-out attempt to stop the spread of the deadly virus, Covid 19. The worldwide range of the epidemic is unprecedented in modern times. We live in the hope that the country will be able to turn the tide on this worrying and invisible threat very soon and with the least possible ill consequences. Almost two hundred years ago Ireland was hit by a similarly devastating pandemic and, unfortunately the country was ill-prepared and had much less resources to cope with the onslaught.…

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    St. Fiacc of Sleaty, Co. Laois

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    Cashel Man. A recent discovery of a Bog Body in Co. Laois. By Sean Murray

    June 25, 2019
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