Portlaoise business ‘S and S Soap Sisters’ announce closure
Portlaoise business ‘S and S Soap Sisters’ will close its doors for business at the end of this month.
The organic soap business opened in June 2022 on Main Street in Portlaoise having initially begun trading during the pandemic.
The store was owned by sisters Sinead Moloney and Samantha Murphy-Moloney.
“It is with mixed emotions that we share the news of the closure of our business, effective at the end of this month,” they said in a post on Facebook.
“The decision to close was a difficult one, but we want to take a moment to reflect on the positive impact you have had on our journey … as we approach the end of this chapter, we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly.
“Economic challenges and unforeseen circumstances have led us to this point, and we believe it is the best decision for all involved.
“While we may be closing our doors, we are having a wonderful sale for you to enjoy.”
Free Brigid inspired arts event to take place in Portarlington on February 1
Portarlington will host a free public arts event on St Brigid’s Day, Thursday, February 1.
Celebrating female empowerment, this is the first in a series of five free public arts events taking place around the country which aim to promote the arts and encourage more arts based outdoor performances.
Bríd Faoin Spéir, which is free for all to attend, will be facilitated by Laois County Arts Office and award-winning multidisciplinary Port Art Collective artist group. It takes place in the Market Square in the town from 4pm-8pm.
The theme of Bríd Faoin Spéir fittingly draws inspiration from Brigid as a triple goddess of healing, fire and poetry. The event includes appearances by leading poets Ann Egan, Laura Murphy (who featured in RTE’s show celebrating St Brigid last year) and Enda Wyley.
Following writing workshops with Brigid expert poet and writer Ann Egan, children from Presentation Primary School in Portarlington will share poems and visuals on the day.
Poet and poetry pharmacist Enda Wyley will be offering 10-minute Poetry S.O.S sessions, selecting and prescribing a Vital Signs poem which participants can bring home and read at their leisure. Vital Signs, published by Poetry Ireland, is an anthology of powerful and courageous responses to the human experience of illness and healing.
There will also be eco-friendly creative workshops and craft making demonstrations from Port Art Collective artists.
There will be music from female led musicians Brinda Irani and Crime Star plus Portarlington’s Ukrainian Choir, Music Generation Laois and Portarlington Concert Band on the outdoors stage and an outdoors street painting jam from the Minaw Collective.
The event will culminate in a stunning fire performance by Broken Theatre.
Commenting ahead of the Portarlington POP Art event, Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer for Laois County Council, said, “We are thrilled and excited to host this free celebration of arts and poetry for the public to enjoy, free of charge, in the fabulous outdoor setting of the Market Square.
“We are grateful for the support of the Arts Council and all our partners in making this possible.”
Portlaoise St Patrick’s Day parade planning gets underway
With Christmas now parked for another year, the next big date on the calendar is St Patrick’s Day.
And the Portlaoise St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will hold an AGM at the Portlaoise Parish Centre on Monday, January 22, at 7.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend and more volunteers urgently required.
Contact Chairman Dominic Dunne at 0868312034 or Pauline Flanagan, Secretary at 0879984574 with any queries.
