‘A simple but powerful message’ - Laois County Hall to glow purple for addiction

Laois County Hall will be illuminated in purple for the first time this Friday to mark Recovery Month.

The ARC Project requested Laois County Council to light up in purple this Friday, September 25 in solidarity with the local community who are in recovery from addiction.

The Addiction, Recovery and Community (ARC) Project is a voluntary and community led initiative based in Laois which supports people impacted by addiction. The group was founded by David Delaney and Michelle Robertson in 2024.

They provide one of only two recovery coaching services available outside of Dublin that is recognised by the HSE and Trinity College. The only other service of this kind is in Galway.

As well as this, they hold weekly meetings at the Connect Laois building for families affected by addiction.

The ARC Project said this is the first time the County Hall in Portlaoise will be illuminated in purple, “making it a particularly meaningful moment for our local recovery community.”

Recovery Month is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate recovery, while also acknowledging the individuals, families and communities whose lives are affected by addiction.

The group said: “For us, this is about much more than lighting a building purple. It is about recognition. People in recovery and their families are part of our community. Too often, addiction can leave people feeling judged, isolated or defined by one part of their lives.

“Seeing County Hall illuminated in purple sends a simple but powerful message that recovery is happening in Laois, recovery should be visible, and the people walking that journey deserve to feel recognised and included within their own community.

“We are extremely grateful to Laois County Council for supporting our request and helping us bring Recovery Month into the heart of our county.”