Major Plan For Conservation Of 16th Century Midlands Landmark Unveiled

Friday, 24 June 2022 16:47

It follows years of research, consultation and community engagement.

A major new plan to guide the conservation and presentation of the 16th Century Fort Protector at the heart of Portlaoise has been launched.

The plan, which was created in a partnership between Laois Heritage Society and Laois County Council, with the support of the Heritage Council, builds upon several years of research, consultation and community engagement.

It was led by Conservation Architect Richard McLoughlin in association with archaeologist Eoin Sullivan and Historian Diarmuid Wheeler.

Speaking at the launch, Councillor Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council said;

"This is just one example among many, of a project where the initial support of the Heritage Council facilitated Laois County Council to get a project started and leverage much greater exchequer funds, and I would like to express again our sincere gratitude to the Heritage Council for this.

"A project like this does not come together without a huge amount of work and I’d like to pay a special tribute to the Working Group of Laois Heritage Society who have been working for many years now on the conservation of the Fort Protector.

"Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons were the instigators of this plan, and they have put many hours of hard work and creativity on all the many parts necessary to get the plan to this stage – fundraising, research, practical conservation, conversations with property owners, development of policies, more fundraising and organizing awareness activities and events

"Their commitment, creativity, attention to detail and meticulous historical research have created a very special publication, and a very active and successful conservation project and they deserve our most sincere thanks and congratulations."

The meeting was also addressed by Teddy Fennelly, President of Laois Heritage Society; Michael Parsons, former Chair of the National Heritage Council; and John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council.

Richard McLoughlin Conservation Architect with Lotts Architecture presented a history of the development of the Fort and the town of Portlaoise, through an examination of maps dating back to the 1550s.

Information on projects undertaken to date is available here.

The Fort Protector Conservation Plan can be downloaded at the link above, and hard copies are available for purchase from Laois Heritage Society.

Copies of the plan will also be available for consultation in the Portlaoise Branch Library.