American sister city from Tennessee touring Laois this week

Laois is twinned with the sister city of Franklin and Williamson County in Tennessee and this week a delegation of dignitaries flew over for a visit.

Kicking off a three day tour of Laois, the delegation first sat in on a Laois County Council meeting on Monday June 30, and exchanged gifts.

It is a follow up to a visit to Tennessee by the outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Padraig Fleming, and he told them how impressed he was with the architecture and accessible roads networking Franklin city.

Mayor Ken Moore was keen to emphasise his Irish ancestry, even adding that he likes Guinness so he must be Irish.

"I found out this morning that Moore is a very popular name here. In Franklin, Mrs Eloise O'More who was a teacher and had a design school bought an old mansion built after the American civil war and she decided to name it Abbeyleix Mansion. I think I'm Irish also because I just feel the energy here. It's my third visit, I played golf here twice. And I really love your Irish breakfast. But I don't think I'm so Irish when I get to the blood pudding," he joked.

The visiting delegation from Franklin and Williamson County in Tennessee with council staff and county councillors.

"We have so many connections, we have many festivals, we are a thriving economic generator for the state of Tennessee. Your council mentioned quality of life and education and those are very important for us also. Our problems are probably not much different than yours. I'm excited about this opportunity. There are so many common things we have already found; music, history, agriculture. I know there is a lot of planning already in my board talking to your board, about sports exchanges, more music exchanges and we will only continue to deepen those ties," Mayor Moore said.

The delegation then attended a wreath laying by the Lalor Clan to honour the 175th anniversary of James Fintan Lalor.

They also visited Midland Steel in Junction 17 Enterprise Park, Portlaoise, where they received a presentation from the Council’s Business Support Unit on its economic strategy for Laois and received a tour of the plant from CEO Tony Woods and his staff.

They also visited Treo Nua Community Centre in Knockmay, where they met with some representatives from the local residents’ groups and Portlaoise FRC Manager Joan Bolger.

They visited Portlaoise Library and met with Bernie Foran, County Librarian, Sinead Holland, Portlaoise Library, Thomas Carolan, LCC Heritage Officer and viewed some local history and some paintings by local artists’ group, Laois Fusion.

The group visited the Portlaoise Plane and were welcomed there by Michael Parsons and Teddy Fennelly of Laois Heritage Society, following which they visited the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence and where they sampled Gaelic Football and Hurling and even took part in a rounders game.

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey, Mayor of Franklin Ken Moore, Cathaoirleach Cllr Padraig Fleming, Alderman Beverly Burger and Eric Stuckey, City of Franklin Manager.

On Tuesday, July 1 the group visited Emo Court and House, Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum, Abbeyleix Bog, Heywood Gardens, Timahoe Round Tower and the Rock of Dunamaise. They will finish their tour at Ballykilcavan Brewery and Farm, where they will also be greeted by representatives of the Irish Farmers’ Association and local elected members.

Finally on Wednesday morning to complete their visit, the group will visit Mountmellick Lace Museum.

A Laois County Council spokesperson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the connections will continue.

"Laois County Council together with Laois Sister Cities Committee is delighted to welcome the delegation and we hope to create many connections arising from our regular meetings with our Sister City of Franklin and particularly from the knowledge gained arising from this visit to Laois.

"Connections and exchanges have already been made in the areas of sport, agriculture, music and culture and it is our aim to build on these and make many more in the months and years to come," they said.