From a military fort constructed to suppress the native clans to a thriving town in the heart of an independent Ireland, Portlaoise has witnessed many changes, from its name to its new populations.
The Old Fort Quarter Festival 2024 – a celebration of the town’s history – will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30.
Heritage events will take place throughout the weekend to capture the medieval genesis of the town and its evolution over the last 500 years.
Whether you are part of the town’s ‘old stock’ or have moved to Portlaoise from other counties and countries, you can learn more about the town in which you live, and develop a stronger sense of place, by engaging with the many history events taking place this weekend.
Portlaoise Library, now located in the Old Fort Quarter, is looking forward to its first year as a venue for the Old Fort Festival’s heritage events.
On Saturday, June 29, the library will host a series of free activities and talks on the history of Portlaoise and its people.
The Local Studies Coffee Morning, now a regular and popular social event in the library, will include a series of short talks on a wide variety of town related history, along with light refreshments and friendly discussion.
Ten-minute talks will look at the people of the town and the contribution they made to our heritage; from Eddie Boylan, who lived and worked on the main street and compiled family histories of all he encountered, to Paul Delany and his introduction of cinema to the town just a few short years after James Joyce opened the first cinema in Ireland.
For those who wish to learn more about the fort around which the town developed and grew, there is a talk on the Saturday afternoon by Richard McLoughlin, Conservation Architect and Laois native.
Mr McLoughlin led the team that prepared a conservation plan for the Old Fort. The plan, commissioned by Laois Heritage Society and supported by Laois County Council and the Heritage Council was published in 2022.
You can learn more on the background to this project and read the conservation plan in full here.
As always, Portlaoise Library have not forgotten the younger audience.
Throughout the day there will be a number of interactive history shows with Dylan Nolan.
Children will be entertained and educated on medieval Laois with the use of replica weapons, armour and storytelling.
Booking advised.
Heritage events and family fun continue outdoors on Sunday, June 30, from midday to 6pm.
From Portlaoise Library to Church Avenue and Fitzmaurice Place, travel back in time with a host of medieval activities including birds of prey, archery and re-enactments of medieval life featuring crafts, cookery, clothing, medicine, weaponry and warfare.
Visit the Laois Heritage Society’s tent for conversation with local heritage enthusiasts and free face painting and medieval shield painting for children.
History tours of the Old Fort Quarter will be led by renowned local historians Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons on Sunday afternoon.
Starting from the front of Portlaoise Library you will be taken on a walking tour of old Portlaoise as Teddy and Michael regale you with stories of battles won and lost, the development of the town and the history of the fort.
Tours commence at 2pm and 4pm sharp. Booking advised and available here.
As always the heritage events will be complemented with street acts, outdoor games, music and stalls to create a great festive family day out.
