Former pupil and Laois and Ballyroan Abbey football star Michael John Tierney returns for a visit to the senior class room at Ballyroan BNS. Included in picture is principal Ms. Niamh Dunphy.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Our moment in time feature a look back at the year of 2008, and it’s fair to say that the selection of photographs from Alf Harvey’s archives are fascinating.
It’s certainly a diverse mix of what happened in Laois that year from Electric Picnic to a host of sporting events.
Highlights at the Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally included Johnny Rotten of Sex Pistols fame, along with Franz Ferdinand.
Brian Allen had just taken over the helm as chairman of Laois County Board when floodlights were installed in O’Moore Park, allowing evening games to be played at evening time in summer and winter months.
Another highlight on the local entertainment scene was the short-lived World Fleadh which attracted such names as Sharon Shannon and Damien Dempsey to Portlaoise.
Ploughing
The National Ploughing Championships were also held in neighbouring Kilkenny at Cuffesgrange.
SEE ALSO – Watch: Brilliant Podge Lawlor snapchat takeover as Laois hurlers help raise €100k for SimonTwins Kate (left) and Gillian (right) with sister Lorna Byrne enjoying the good weather at the Ballylinan Ploughing matchVictoria Reid makes a dramatic entrance singing ‘Turn Back O Man’ during the Mountmellick Community School production of Godspell in the Dunamaise Theatre.
Newly elected Laois GAA chairman Brian Allen in O’Moore ParkThe many helpers who looked after over 180 guests at the Abbeyleix Senior Citizens Party in The Parish HallMarie Howe (2nd left front) with pals at Pedigree Corner for Marie Howe’s 21st.Johnny Ryan moving them on at the Ballacolla New Year’s Day Charity Walk.Morgan O’Sullivan scores for Subway Portlaoise against An Cearnog Nua Moycullen in the National League Mens Division 1Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers fractured jaw and all made an emotional match winning speech after the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Former pupil and Laois and Ballyroan Abbey football star Michael John Tierney returns for a visit to the senior class room at Ballyroan BNS. Included in picture is principal Ms. Niamh Dunphy.
Little Kings at St. Michael and All Angels Church Abbeyleix for the South School Abbeyleix Nativity Play ‘Baboushka’.The Hallelujah Concert Choir from Ballyroan National Schools gave a fantastic performance at Ballyroan Community Centre for the Christmas Party with guests from Kolbe pre school, Kolbe school, St Francis School and Rowanberry.
Billy and Betty O’Brien, Donaghmore who this year celebrated their 55th wedding anniversaryEithne Connolly at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel for the Laois Macra na Feirme Christmas Party.Chloe Bergin having a ball at Timahoe NS.
A moment of magic by a Kilkenny hurler as having been behind for all of the game Richie Hogan scores the vital goal for Leinster against Munster in the M. Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling Championship final at O’Moore ParkOne of the sports shots that did not make the paper, Jenny McEvoy on the attack for Portlaoise against Fiona Buttle, Gorey at Togher.Keeping Laois ploughing to the fore..Pictured at a Laois Ploughing Celebration Night where the County Association made presentations to the National Winners to mark the occasion. From left: Eamon Meade, Ballacolla, 3rd in All Ireland 3 Furrow Match Plough Class; Anna Marie McHugh, Ballylinan, Queen of the Plough; Tom Gowing, Laois County Ploughing Chairman; Michael McEvoy, Junior Class All Ireland Champion and Padraig Brandon, Ballylinan, 3rd in Under-28 Class.With the Winterwonderland created by themselves at Rath NS.One of the unsung heroes of a great backroom team..Joe Whelan passes out the balls to Rathdowney Errill as they prepare to take on Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship at Nowlan Park.Gary meets his hero..Martin and Gary Cuddy, Shanahoe with Sean Og hAilpin at the M. Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling Championship final at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.Clodagh Behan at Barrowhouse Hall for the Killeen/Barrowhouse Ladies Football Awards and Halloween Party.
John Joe Dempsey at Fleming’s Ballylinan for the St. Joseph’s GAA Club “Rose” competition fundraiser.Old time cyclists lead the Irish and Scottish Hurling/Shinty Under 21 teams through Durrow on Saturday as part of the Durrow 300 celebrations.Daniel Phelan and Nathan Deegan reading their favourite paper at Scoil Bhride, Rathdowney.Rathdowney Errill hero Liam Tynan has a hug from mum Anne after winning the Senior Hurling final at O’Moore Park.Mixed emotions for these Rathdowney Errill fans against Portlaoise in the very exciting Senior Hurling final at O’Moore Park.Thousands on site at the National Ploughing Championships at Cuffsgrange.John Tracey working to win the senior title at the National Ploughing Championships at Cuffsgrange.Cliodhna McGowan supporting, Ballyroan in the U-16 B Football Championship Final at O’Moore Park.A sign on the door of the Sue Ryder Shop, Lyster Square, Portlaoise.
Odhran Mac an Crosain starting school at Gael Scoil Phortlaoise.Johnny Lydon performing with the Sex Pistols at The Electric Picnic.
Time out for a break near the main stage at The Electric Picnic.
Enjoying Michael Franti at The Electric Picnic.The top performer for many, Michael Franti takes to the stage at The Electric Picnic.Pyramid building at The Electric Picnic.Franz Ferdinand performing on the main stage at Electric Picnic.Cutest Child of Laois Aoife Delaney Hyland relaxes at home.A fan enjoys the shelter of the stand for Graiguecullen against Crettyard in the SFC at O’Moore Park.Martin O’Neill enjoys the tranquility at Ladywell Mass as people arrive.
Jake Radcliffe and Anna Hennessy have fun of thier own while The Heath played Graiguecullen in the JFC semi-final at Ratheniska.
Cousins Holly Moynan, Ballacolla and Rachel Greene, Stradbally on board Holly’s grandfather Richard Moynan’s 178 Massey Ferguson at the National Steam Rally in Stradbally.Meals on wheels sheltering in the rain at the National Steam Rally in Stradbally.Former Portlaoise Train Station staff member Peter O’Brien enjoys the train at The World Fleadh in Portlaoise.Damien Dempsey performing at the The World Fleadh Dome in PortlaoiseSharron Shannon performing at the The World Fleadh Dome in Portlaoise.John Delaney on the gate with his new seat which created some discussion as Annanough took on Ballyfin in the ACFL Division 3 Final replay at Stradbally.Laois manager Liam Kearns against Down in the All Ireland qualifier at O’Moore Park.Sonny Tyrrell cooking up at the Abbeyleix Further Education Centre Awards Day and Barbecue.Isabelle Odlum washing Woodviews Charlie assisted by her brother Arthur and dogs Skye and Penny.Michael G Phelan assists Alma Ryan to the exact finish line in Durrow for the Woodenbridge Paddlers Charity run on the rivers Nore and Erkina to raise funds for the Dove House Support Group.John Fair has a good view of proceedings at the Shanahoe Pony Races at Scotchrath, Shanahoe.Driving home the message to vote YES in the Lisbon Treaty is IFA president Padraig Walshe, erecting a sign at his farm on the main road in Durrow, Co. Laois.Clough Ballacolla at O’Moore Park for the Feile na nGael finals.Cattle enjoy the sunshine at Gortnaclea Castle, Ballacolla.The rain did not halt at the rededication of the Presentation Sisters Burial Plot at Portlaoise Cemetery.Enjoying the dancing at the Fun Day at Mountmellick Hospital in memory of the late Jim Blanc.
Liam and Gavin Ryan, Durrow on mum’s 1965 Triumph Spitfire at the Ballyroan Vintage Rally.
Meeting representatives from Portlaoise Gael Scoil during the visit of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD to Portlaoise.The remains of Enid Elizabeth Cosby leave Stradbally Hall for burial.Model Pippa O’Connor dressed as a bride at the official launch of a competition in Durrow to raise funds for celebration of 300th anniversary of design of Durrow village in County Laois.Bernie Kilbride, Cullohill and Kieran Kelly, Abbeyleix with Kieran’s 1973 Ford Capri 3000 V6 at the Rock Inn Vintage Rally.Deputy principal Michael Kehoe getting ready for the tree planting at Portlaoise College for the 100 years celebration.David Corcoran and Eoin Donlon raising the flag at Stradbally BNS for the Green Flag ceremony.Children modelling at the Abbeyleix Further Education Centre Fashion Show in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.Station Officer Sonny Tyrrell overseeing the demonstration at the opening of the new Abbeyleix Fire Station.Cathaoirlech of LCC John Moran MCC and Laois Rose Stephanie Farrell have a waltz to the music from the Portlaoise Accordian Band at the official opening of the Portlaoise Civic Plaza.An Tanaiste Brian Cowen TD addresses the attendance when he visited the Kolbe Special School to unveil the Digital Schools award.Martin Dunne and Ned Brophy, Cullohill in Martin’s 1962 Morris Minor at the Durrow Vintage Club Motor Show at Duggan’s Field, Durrow.Portlaoise native Frank Meehan sporting the Laois tartan.Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche TD with Sean Fleming TD at the Killeshin Hotel for the meeting on the Lisbon Treaty.Martina Bracken and Anne Marie Kelly assist Environment Section and other Laois County Council Staff carry out a clean-up of the walkway at the back of County Hall as part of Clean Up Laois Week.Liam O’Neill, principal Trumera NS who has become a major player in the GAA.President Mary McAleese is greeted by Cllr. Brendan Phelan at Durrow.A good vantage point at a recent Portlaoise St. Patrick’s Day Parade.A keen eye for measurement..Tony Dunne, Ballacolla makes adjustments in the reversible class at the Ballylinan Ploughing match.
