The summer of 2023 was a wash-out, we can all agree on that.
Undeterred, nearly 120 people braved cool, rainy weather during the first week of August 2023 and visited some of Laois’ most stunning heritage sites.
The trips were organised by Laois Partnership with funding from the Heritage Council.
Last year, in August 2022, 105 people, made up mostly of Ukrainian and Direct Provision families, were whisked off on four whistlestop tours around some of Co. Laois’ wonderful heritage sites.
The trips were hailed a great success and it was decided to run them again this summer.
This year’s participants, with very diverse backgrounds of Irish, Ukrainian and Direct Provision families, took part in the ‘2023 Summer Heritage Trips’.
They visited Timahoe Round Tower, marvelling at its one-of-kind carved Romanesque doorway with Heritage Specialist, Trudy Carmody, of Experiencing Laois and Experiencing Ireland.
Participants also visited the ruins of 15th century Cullahill Castle with Heritage Specialists, Vincent O’Sullivan, giving its colourful history.
The beautiful Haywood Gardens were also explored and the participants learned about Ireland’s vital pollinators with a third Heritage Specialist, Edel Heeran.
Over a week plenty of fortifying cups of tea, biscuits, sandwiches and belly-laughs were had.
The organisers would sincerely like to thank the Laois Partnership and the Heritage Council’s Heritage in Schools scheme.
The Heritage in Schools scheme provides a panel of Heritage Specialists who visit primary schools to help children and their teachers learn more about, and appreciate their local heritage.
For schools wishing to book a Heritage Specialist, please visit https://www.heritageinschools.ie/.
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