Meath man's royal plan to spread the word about Laois

As Heritage Week approaches the Laois Heritage Officer wants to let local people know who he is and why they should embrace the inheritance.

Thomas Carolan, from the Royal County of Meath, was appointed as the new Heritage Officer for Laois County Council in April replacing Catherine Casey.

He has big shoes to fill as Ms Casey played a significant role in helping to protect and promote Laois heritage while in the role for almost two decades. She now works for the Heritage Council of Ireland. However, her successor wants to build on those achievements.

With a background in history and environmental management studies, the Council says the new officer brings a variety of experience to the role – having worked as an archaeologist, in environmental education, and most recently as a Community Water Officer with the Local Authority Waters Programme.

A statement said the role of the Heritage Officer is to promote and document heritage strategically, but also very much to engage on a community level – either by supporting groups and individuals to access grants to restore significant heritage sites and buildings or organising heritage awareness events throughout the year.

“A diverse range of experience is ideal for the broad remit and responsibilities of a Heritage Officer – from natural to built and cultural heritage, the scope of the role covers a lot of areas and that’s what makes it so interesting,” said Mr Carolan who hails from Navan.

A big focus of the year is always National Heritage Week, which celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practices.

This year’s theme is ‘Living Heritage’ and invites people to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations. Heritage Week 2023 takes place from 12th – 20th August and people can register events though the Heritage Week website Home | National Heritage Week 12 – 20 August 2023 or contact Thomas as their local Heritage Officer for more information.

Mr Carolan is looking forward to this year's events.

“I love the ‘Living Heritage’ theme of Heritage Week this year, and really want to encourage people to use this opportunity to hold an event highlighting some aspect of our traditions, practices, knowledge, and skills. That could be anything from the historic use of medicinal herbs, regional crafts, or a deep understanding of a specific area or townland of Laois,” he said.

National Biodiversity Week, which took place from the 19th – 28th May is also a big date on the heritage calendar.

This year Laois Heritage Office was able to support a number of events for Biodiversity Week as well as helping to highlight other events happening around the county.

There was a ‘dusk chorus’ at Abbeyleix Bog hosted by the Laois branch of Birdwatch Ireland, as well as Nature Photography Display showcasing images of the stunning biodiversity of Abbeyleix Bog running throughout the week in Abbeyleix Library.

Abbeyleix Library also held a Biodiversity-themed family craft event, making ‘bug collage’. In Camross, the Heritage Officer in partnership with the Local Authority Waters Programme held an event to highlight the pristine water of the River Delour, showing people the rich biodiversity present in the river which indicates is used as an indicator of a healthy habitat.

The new Heritage Officer encourages local people to embrace their county.

“There is such rich heritage in Laois in terms of its history, significant events, important sites, and wildlife. People in the county might be aware of it, but I’m determined to do my utmost to spread the word about Laois heritage to the rest of the country and beyond,” he said.