Laois films take centre stage at Heritage Week day in Portlaoise

Laois Heritage takes centre stage at the Dunamaise Arts Centre during Heritage Week when this year's theme of Exploring Our Foundations will be illuminated through creativity.

Heritage Week events at the Portlaoise venue are focused on Wednesday, August 20, when film, art and craft feature.

The centrepiece of the day is Rewinding The Past - a series of short films and animations on the big screen at Dunamaise Cinema.

Backed by Creative Ireland, Laois Heritage Office and the Dunamaise, the films explore the depth of Laois history and heritage.

To begin the evening, Ann Marie Kelly will for the first time screen her story of Camross man Paddy Dooley, over several interviews Paddy shared with Ann Marie his fascinating local knowledge and lifetime memories growing up and living in beautiful Camross.

There will also be six short films which were produced by our recent creative digital residents, Emily Miller and Margaret Kane Rowe. Emily’s works will include the animated Errill Famine Story, the Massacre at Mullaghmore and the Pass of the Plumes. Margaret will present her short films on Helen Roe, Abbeyleix’s Titanic Story, and the Story of Abbeyleix’s Carpet Factory.

David Butler and Denis McArdle will also screen their animated work based on the Schools' Folklore Collection which was in collaboration with Portarlington Boys & Girls National Schools.

“For all those who love to learn about Laois’s checkered past, this is a fun and creative way of doing so, this night is not to be missed” say the organisers.

The event runs from 7pm to 9pm.

Craft is the focus of an event earlier in the day from 5pm - 7pm.

The Stages of Spinning is a demonstration on wool spinning techniques from drop spindle to push spinning wheel to modern adaptation of electrical spinning.

No booking required for this free event where you'll also get to speak to the talented textile artists from Crafty Dreams Studio. Explore the craft of spinning. The event is supported by Laois Heritage Office.

To coincide with Heritage week, the Arts centre is hosting an art showcase entitled Tom Crean: Irish Antarctic Hero from August 12- 30.

The exhibition features work by Portarlington-based David Butler, artist.

A graduate of the Dun Laoghaire Film Institute of Ireland, Animation Production Course, he has worked on several award-winning animation projects, including the BAFTA award-winning 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' for Channel 4.

He is involved with CelticCon Midland Comic Convention and the Port Art Collective for various creative events. He continues to work in film as a freelancer.

READ ALSO: Laois and Portlaoise stories told through local objects

His work as an Illustrator includes The Shackleton Voyage of the James Caird, a graphic novel on Irish Antarctic explorers for The Collins Press/Gill Books. David's collaboration with author Mario Corrigan has resulted in four children's books for the self-published Fish Pyjamas series.

The exhibition is open to the public during opening hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm, and an hour before shows.
For more information visit Dunamaise Arts Centre website on www.dunamaise.ie or phone 057 86 63355 MORE BELOW PHOTO

The Heritage Council says National Heritage Week celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. They say it brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practices.

Exploring Our Foundations is the theme of the 2025 edition which is co-ordinated in Laois the Laois Heritage Office supported by Laois County Council.

The Heritage Council says the theme invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us.

Go to www.heritageweek.ie for full details of all Heritage Week events in Laois and Ireland from August 16-25.