Ukrainian war refugees in Laois taken on Portlaoise heritage tour

A group of Ukranians now living in Portlaoise were taken on a guided heritage tour of the town by the Col. James Fitzmaurice Commemorative Committee during National Heritage week.

Included was a walk on around the Old Fort of Maryborough and a visit to see the Portlaoise Flyer, the first plane built and flown in the Republic of Ireland, with which Col. Fitzmaurice was associated.

Michael Parsons led the tour of the town on Friday, August 18 and Teddy Fennelly gave a talk on the plane. A similar event, open to the public, was conducted on Saturday.

The Committee also organised a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Col. Fitzmaurice in Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday, 12 August, to mark the 95th anniversary of the first ever transatlantic east-west flight in 1928 on which the Irishman was co-pilot. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured above: Members of the Col. James Fitzmaurice Committee at Glasnevin where they laid wreaths on the grave of the famous aviator.  From left: Michael Parsons, Alan Phelan, Teddy Fennelly, Simon Harris, Minister for Higher Education, Louise Fennelly, Ralph James, Philip Doody.

In PICTURES: Strollin' and diggin' in Portlaoise during Laois Heritage Week

The Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris, joined the group for the event. Orations were given at the graveside by Alan Phelan, Chairman of the group, and by Ralph James, former Brigadier General and Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, and chairman of the Col. Fitzmaurice Centenary Committee, who are organising events to mark the centenary of the flight in 2028.