Laois community unveils new bog sculpture

A new bog oak sculpture is to be unveiled during Heritage Week to mark the locality's link to ancient woodlands, while the village also hosts a special event on the local river.

Peter Dooley, a local artist, has created the sculpture using bog oak that has been saved from a local bog. The sculpture will be a focal point in the garden, creating an opportunity to explore an aspect of the local heritage.

 The aim of the community art project is to remind people of the ancient woodlands that were once in the locality and link it to present times, where native Irish trees,  biodiversity and climate change are universal issues.

The Camross Tidy Town group say it is another way to venerate the oak tree- to help preserve our heritage, honour the past, while looking forward.

The project is funded by a Heritage Through Art grant 2025 from Laois County Council.

Those who wish to attend are asked to meet in the car park behind the Poets Cottage and walk to the Community Garden located at the back of the Community Park. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. 

The unveiling of the sculpture takes place on August 22 from 7.30 pm to 8 pm in  Camross Community Park. 

Meanwhile, the Tidy Towns Group is hosting an  Aquatic Outdoor Classroom where a LAWPRO water scientist will lead a workshop to discover the different species living in our Little Delour River. There will be “kick sampling” and an opportunity to identify the “little critters”, the aquatic life, the macroinvertebrates, which act as water quality indicators. You're also invited to explore  the  community garden during the event on August 19, 7 pm - 8:30 pm  

Meet in the car park behind the Poets Cottage. Please arrive 5 minutes early to register. 

Further information on both of the above events  from the Camross Tidy Town group  at 0866012153 or email camrosstidytown@privaterelay.eu

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 by 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.