Home News Community In Pictures: Laois scoops two major accolades at National Heritage Week Awards

In Pictures: Laois scoops two major accolades at National Heritage Week Awards

22nd October 2022

Laois brought home two major awards at the National Heritage Week Awards Ceremony which took place in Dublin last week.

Teddy Fennelly from Portlaoise has been named Ireland’s national Heritage Hero for 2022.

The National Heritage Week award for Biodiversity was awarded to the Irish Wildlife Trust Laois Offaly Branch, BirdWatch Ireland and Kildare Bat Group for their Heritage Week biodiversity event in the People’s Park, Portlaoise.

This award is presented to the event that successfully encouraged a greater appreciation of our natural world or a consideration of the variety of plant and animal life in the area, and/or conservation of native species and natural landscapes, and/or that considers a resilient and sustainable future for the environment.

Teddy Fennelly has been an advocate and enthusiast for local history and heritage in Laois for over 50 years.

He has been honoured with the 2022 Heritage Hero award for his outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage over more than 50 years.

The awards recognise the enormous contribution of individuals and community groups across Ireland in ensuring the preservation, protection, and promotion of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage.

The annual event, which is organised by the Heritage Council, was held at the Royal College of Physicians Ireland and was hosted by RTÉ broadcaster Anne Cassin.

This year National Heritage Week celebrated the return of in-person events, while continuing to showcase digital projects, which proved popular over the last two years.

More than 1,800 events and projects took place around the country in August during National Heritage Week, as communities and individuals answered the Heritage Council’s invitation to explore this year’s themes of sustainable heritage and biodiversity.

Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Thomasina Connell, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council said: “Teddy has dedicated his life to the heritage of County Laois and this award acknowledges his immense contribution.

“We in Laois County Council are acutely aware of the immense value that people like Teddy bring to heritage and community life in the county and throughout the country.

“Teddy is a very deserving winner of the award and I’m delighted to congratulate Teddy, his family and his many friends and colleagues on this great achievement.”

Teddy Fennelly has been pivotal in ensuring that the story of Colonel James Fitzmaurice and first East-West Transatlantic flight in April 1928 is remembered and his book “Fitz and the Famous Flight” is the definitive work on the subject.

As Chair of the Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, Teddy commissioned ”The Impossible Dream”, a piece of music by Martin Tourish and the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra commemorating Fitzmaurice and the Flight.

He was also instrumental in overseeing the naming of Fitzmaurice Place in Portlaoise, the regeneration of the area and the installation of a sculpture commemorating the flight.

He had a pivotal role in the purchasing, repatriation and restoration of the Portlaoise Plane and organised for a US flag received by Fitz on his triumphant tour of America to be donated to Laois County Council. Earlier this year he instigated the Laois Festival of Flight.

Teddy has played a key role in the heritage led regeneration of the 16th century plantation fort, Fort Protector at the centre of the town, driving the conservation plan for the Fort.

An area that was neglected now has a regenerated public square, the fort walls are conserved, a 16th century church and graveyard have been conserved and reopened, and the Old Fort Festival is bringing economic development into the town.

He has written books on everything from the cooperative movement and Donaghmore Workhouse to the history of Laois GAA.

As Chair and President of Laois Heritage Society he has been responsible for publishing journals, promoting research and carrying out practical conservation projects.