 
                                    The historic aircraft was built in Aldritt's Garage in Portlaoise in the early 1900s.
The first plane to be built in and flown in Ireland has returned home to Laois.
The historic aircraft was built in Aldritt's Garage in Portlaoise in the early 1900s and later became the first plane to fly east to west across the Atlantic by Portlaoise man Colonel James Fitzmaurice in 1928.
Local volunteers negotiated its return to Ireland after the plane was discovered in a private collection in England, and officially welcomed home at an event at Laois Music Centre yesterday.
Heritage Officer with Laois County Council, Catherine Casey says it's a hugely significant artefact in Irish aviation history:
Highlights of today's Portlaoise Plane event, with thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event. Featured is an extract from "The Impossible Dream" by Martin Tourish and the @MusicGenLaois Trad Orchestra, with the support of @creativelaois @creativeirl pic.twitter.com/HKoBVY9J6J
— Laois Heritage (@laoisheritage) September 12, 2021
 
                             
                             Pilot Programme For Parents Of Neurodivergent Children Launches In Laois
            Pilot Programme For Parents Of Neurodivergent Children Launches In Laois
         Midlands Simon Community Receives Major Funding
            Midlands Simon Community Receives Major Funding 
         Emergency Services Call For Safety This Halloween
            Emergency Services Call For Safety This Halloween
         Midlands Homelessness Figures Continue To Rise
            Midlands Homelessness Figures Continue To Rise
         Westmeath Woman Wins Over €45k in Telly Bingo
            Westmeath Woman Wins Over €45k in Telly Bingo
         Offaly Comedian Urges Men To Check For Testicular Cancer
            Offaly Comedian Urges Men To Check For Testicular Cancer
         Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion In Westmeath Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
            Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion In Westmeath Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
         Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
            Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
         Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
            Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
         Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
            Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
         Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
            Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
         Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
            Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
         Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
            Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
         Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
            Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
         ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
            ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
         Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
            Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
         IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
            IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur 
         Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
            Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
         Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
            Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
         Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
            Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club