The life of a government minister is a busy one – and the schedule for Minister Heather Humphreys in Laois today is certainly a snapshot of that.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development is in Laois today as part of the government’s ‘Our Rural Future’ roadshow.
Starting at 9.30am in Mountmellick at the town’s incredible Arts Centre, she will unveil a plaque at the amenity which was refurbished with the assistance of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
It will then be on to Portlaoise for the official opening of the new library, which has been developed at a cost of almost €7 million.
Located on the Main Street on the site of the old Shaw’s building, the official opening is the culmination of a ten-year project which began when Laois County Council purchased the Shaw’s site in 2013.
Minister Humphreys was previously at the site back in 2020 when she officially turned the sod.
Following lunch in the library, the minister and her entourage will make the short trip to Carrigmeal Woods between Stradbally and Portlaoise.
Driven by former councillor James Deegan, the new public walkway at the woods will be officially opened.
That project, which was honoured with a national award last year, received funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
From there, the minister will head to Timahoe, where she visit the Round Tower for the official opening of the Heritage Centre. Spearheaded by Roghan Headen, the Heritage Centre was also among the projects funded by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The final stop of the day will be in Portarlington, where the refurbishment of the landmark Market House will be officially launched.
The Market House was taken on a long-term lease by Laois County Council in 2020.
Owned by the Ryan family and operated as a garage for a long number of years, the project has been granted more than €1 million under the ‘Our Rural Future’ programme.
“The Market House will be reimagined as the central focus of the town with a range of public and community uses including community meeting space and an event and exhibition space,” said a statement announcing that grant funding in April 2021.
SEE ALSO – Forest Fest: Stage set for music-mad lawyer bringing Sister Sledge and Suede to home county
