The Heritage in Schools Scheme provides a panel of 160 Heritage Specialists who visit primary schools throughout the country, part funded by the Heritage Council. The Specialist's areas of expertise range from bats to whales, from Vikings to the history of bread, from story-telling to traditional dance, and from charcoal making to military heritage, to mention just a few. The primary aim of the Scheme is to encourage awareness of the natural and cultural world that surrounds us in our daily lives and engage children in a direct experience of their heritage, preferably outside the classroom. The Scheme supports the stated aims and objectives of the Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (SESE) curriculum and provides an additional educational tool and resource for teachers This evening seminar will give teachers a practical introduction to the scheme and how it works, with presentations from the Heritage Council on how the scheme works, and also from several Laois-based members of the Heritage in Schools Panel. These specialists will give a taster of the kind of workshops they can provide for schools, and answer practical questions on all aspects of the scheme. The Heritage Officer with Laois County Council will also be present to answer any questions about other aspects of heritage in primary education. For more on the Heritage in Schools Scheme see http://www.heritageinschools.ie. Note - this event is also open to home-schoolers who are interested in the Heritage in Schools Scheme.

Community grants from Laois County Council Environment Section - applications now open for residents associations, Community Groups and other groups/committees who are engaged in community amenity works in their own area. Full details and forms from the link below or by contacting the Environment Section ph 057-867 4330, email communitygrants@laoiscoco.ie. Closing date is Friday 2nd March at 12 noon http://www.laois.ie/departments/environment/community-initiatives/environment-grants/

Looks like a great event, exploring how art and heritage can be explored creatively together

New Historic Towns Initiative launched by The Heritage Council https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/portlaoise-/293590/historic-laois-towns-can-regenerate-with-heritage-council-help.html

REMINDER - the closing date for applications for grants under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund is 31st January. Full details and application forms for Laois are at the Laois County Council website (link below). Grants are available for works to Protected Structures. Funded by the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Getting ready to start phase II of work at Ballyroan Schoolhouse, with funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Phase I, which was completed last year saw the restoration of the original one-room schoolhouse, including repairs to the roof. Phase II will involve the addition of a small extension to the rear of the building with diasbled access entrance and accessible toilet facilities. This will mean the building is fully accessible to all, and will be a usable comfortable space for the community.

Great season of talks coming up from Laois Heritage Society - download the brochure at the link below

Some great spring workshops coming up from Biodiversity Ireland, including one at abbeyleixbog and Abbeyleix Heritage House in March, for people interested in tracking squirrels and pine martens. Details of all workshops and how to book below http://www.laois.ie/abbeyleix-included-in-spring-workshop-schedule-of-national-biodiversity-data-centre/

Reminder To Have your say – closing date this week Public consultation on the new Laois Cultural Strategies, the Creative Ireland Laois Plan 2018-2022. Take part in our Online Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQ89XV3 OR email E: ciasl@laoiscoco.ie OR by post: written submissions to The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. All submissions to be received not later than 4pm on Friday 26th January. Further details available from T: 057 8664013 or E: ciasl@laoiscoco.ie

Monument to John Canon O'Hanlon (1821 - 1905) historian and author of "Lives of the Irish Saints" and "History of the Queen's County". Erected in 2005 by Laois Heritage Society, near Canon O'Hanlon's homeplace in Stradbally.