125 Years of Local Politics in Laois

2024 marks the 125^th anniversary of local government in County Laois. Over these years, there have been notable developments, occasions, conflicts and resolutions in our local political sphere. On this anniversary, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy paid tribute to his colleagues and predecessors.

“With a proud record of democratic decision-making over the past 125 years, Laois County Council is preparing for the election of the next council,” he said.

“It is fitting that I should pay tribute to my fellow public representatives over the past 125 years for their dedication and commitment to serving the people of Laois at local, national and European levels. This dedication and commitment has been rewarded and communities right around our County have benefitted from courageous and effective decisions taken in the Council Chamber of Laois over this period of time.”

The first meeting of Laois County Council took place in the Grand Jury Room of Maryborough Courthouse at 11.30am on Saturday 22nd April 1899. Mr. Richard Bull, Returning Officer and Sub-Sheriff for the Queens County got proceedings underway. Mr. Patrick A. Meehan was elected Chairperson who accepted by saying:

“Gentlemen, representatives of Queens County, I have to tender to you the expression of my heartfelt thanks for the honour you have just conferred on me... I don't regard it with the exaltation of an individual. I regard it as a vindication and the exaltation of the Nationalist principles with which I have identified, and in which I have endeavoured to take a man's part of nearly thirty years in Queens County.... Let all of us endeavour to faithfully interpret to the best of our ability the will of the electors who have entrusted us with their confidence. This was the dawning of democracy in County Laois.”

Following the Civil War, disagreements over split in Government saw members of Laois County Council threatened and robbed. In 1921, rate collectors for the county had their collections stolen, and the County Surveyor and his crews were threatened while attempting to repair bridges that would continuously be destroyed.

During the Second World War, a proposal was resolved that suggested “That the Minister for Supplies be asked to provide bicycle tyres for County Councillors to attend meetings and who have long distances to travel in discharge of their duties'. It was not until 1948 that local Government had involvement in housing development or new road schemes.

In the 1960's, Laois County Council were responsible for proposing and establishing the Library Service and Library Advisory Committee. However, this decade saw great criticism of the Council, due to their failure to provide a public convenience for Portlaoise. At the time, the Leinster Express reported;

'Following years of debate, an important event will take place in Portlaoise within a month or so - the opening of the town's first public toilet. But there will be no official ceremony to mark the occasion and, therefore, whoever initiates the convenience will probably remain anonymous!”.

In December of 1981, the County Council moved to a new office. That weeks edition of the Leinster Express saw us describing it as “a modern complex that puts Laois County Council on the map”.

“It was no wonder that there was an air of pride matching the luxurious interior when the Council staff moved in on Tuesday at their new starting time of 9 am. At last- the county has a showpiece”.

1985 saw the election of Laois County Council's first ever female councillor. Mary Wheatley ran on behalf of Fianna Fáil in Luggacurren. She was first approached by her neighbours and fellow Fianna Fáil candidates as they were in need of one more candidate. “They came up to the house and asked me whether I would run,” Mary said.

“After they left I said a prayer to God asking for advice. Then my family arrived in and I spoke to them about it. My brother Eamonn suggested that now would be a good time for me to run, as the roads were in a bad way. I remember my sister telling my mother, 'Well you won't see her at all now, she's in so many yokes!'. My mother answered with, 'I've never stopped any of ye from doing anything and I'm not going to stop her now'. I took that chat as my sign to run”.

On her first day on the council, Mary was incredibly ill. “I woke up that morning at 6 o'clock with awful food poisoning. I went to the doctor and he told me to stay in bed for a couple of days,” Mary said.

“I remember telling him that I had to be in the council for 3 o'clock, and he told me to go back to bed until half past 2.”

“When I got to the council, the lads picked me up to carry me in, I remember shouting “Put me down, I'm just out of the doctors, ill only get sick on top of ye all!” Mary laughed.

It was at this council meeting that Mary suggested we establish roles for an Arts officer and a sports officer. “I remember the chair saying, 'we have a great suggestion from the lady councillor'. I oversaw the interviews for the positions back then. Today we have two great women in these positions- Anne Marie Maher and Muireann ní Chonaill.”

Mary fondly recalled the events of the 50^th anniversary of Laois County Council. “It was a great year for us- it was full of cultural events and celebrations.”

The County Council oversaw the proposal and opening of the Portlaoise Motorway Bypass in May of 1997. At the time, the Council called this “the most significant development they had ever undertaken.” Two years later, the Council saw the opening of the Dunamaise Theatre, which was attended by Sile De Valera, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and The Islands. This 240 seat theatre has gone on to nurture the cultural infrastructure in Laois.

2004 saw the first event license for Electric Picnic issued by the Council. At first, it was a one-day event with an attendance of 10,000, before growing into the nationally renowned weekend festival it is today.

At the height of the Recession, a new library was constructed in Abbeyleix, and the final section of the M7/M8 motorway was completed in Laois. This 41km stretch of the Dublin to Cork motorway bypassed Abbeyleix, Durrow and Cullohill.

More recently, a new County Library was opened in Portlaoise in 2023 by Minister Heather Humphries. Last year also saw the Council provide homes for almost 500 individuals.

Laois County Council have expressed pride in their longevity, and confidence in their future. “Who knows what the next 125 years hold...”.