Famous Laois Christmas tree gone with new plan revealed

Mountmellick citizens in Laois have woken up to find a landmark missing from the town centre.

Early on Wednesday morning, June 14, the 65ft steel column that transformed into a Christmas tree, was removed by cranes.

The present structure had stood for 40 years after replacing a timber pole in the 1980s. It is renowned throughout Ireland and beloved by Mountmellick people both at home and abroad.

However the tower had been deemed unsafe in an engineer's report, commissioned by the local volunteer committee who were concerned for public safety.  The steel structure was found to be corroded beyond repair.

"For health and safety reasons based on the findings of the engineering report, the structure had to be removed. There was simply no alternative. Following consultation with Laois County Council and other stakeholders, this took place this morning," Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee announced.

The committee is working hard to come up with an exciting alternative Christmas spectacle for the town however, one that will consume less electricity but still represent the town proudly.

Their exciting new plans have been revealed exclusively to the Leinster Express / Laois Live (more below photos). 

Pictures below courtesy of Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee.

Committee Chairperson is Cathy Bishop.

“We commissioned an engineering inspection in March which was carried out by Dr Tom Callanan of Infrastruct Asset Management Services Ltd. He and his team produced a substantial 40 page report. The findings and recommendations were clear: the tree column has reached the end of its service life.”

The report found: "heavy corrosion with section loss on the stiffener plates near the bottom of the shaft. Heavy corrosion with section loss on the plate. Heavy deterioration with section loss at connections between the square hollow box sections. Cracking in the concrete pad at the base.

Further tests were carried out on ultrasonic thickness testing, portable harness testing, targeted endoscopic inspection, and ground penetrating radar surveys.

"The conclusions and recommendations were unequivocal- the pillar has reached the end of its service life. It is no longer suitable for supporting any additional imposed loads and no access on the structure can be permitted."

With health and safety their primary concern, members immediately contacted Cllr Paddy Bracken, who then facilitated a meeting with Edmond Kenny, Executive Engineer at Laois County Council.

The pole came down quicker than expected, gone before 7am on Wednesday morning.

The process was expected to take up to half of the working day, with the square cordoned off since the previous evening for safety.

The committee has revealed an ambitious plan to carry on the Christmas tradition into the future.

"The Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee is proud to announce the start of a major project to replace the current Christmas tree structure in Mountmellick’s Georgian O’Connell Square. The design concept began today with the removal of the column which has been in place since 1983," they state. 

The 2022 lighting period had been "fraught with electrical problems".

"The mechanism is analogue and energy-hungry. Married with the findings of the report, the committee members see this as the ideal opportunity for change."

The replacement of the tree next Christmas will involve not one but three real trees. Then it will be a countdown with two the following year and one in 2025 before a new permanent sculpture is installed by Christmas 2026.

Chairperson Cathy Bishop described their plans.

"We can assure the public that there will be a temporary tree in the square for the next three Christmases. We are in the design process with stakeholders. We hope to uses local suppliers for the real trees, with classic white lights and lots of elements to make O'Connell Square a festive centrepiece, with the involvement of the community. 

"The new design will require grant approval. What will go up will be climate aware, and we can going to ensure it will be the first Christmas tree of its kind in the country, serving as an example for energy efficiency.

“We fundamentally understand the significance of the tree in the hearts and minds of the community. 

"We ask that they bear with us in the knowledge that the ultimate design that will eventually replace it, will be a 21st century, climate-friendly spectacle; one which will transition into an aesthetically-pleasing sculptural piece for the other months of the year,” she said.

Crash on busy Portlaoise to Moutmellick N80 road in Laois

Cllr Paddy Bracken recounts the history of the beloved Christmas tree and crib.

"The first tree came into the square in 1956. That tree was cut locally in the woods, brought into town on a pony and cart, placed in a barrel and adorned with 30 lights. In the intervening years, the committee members have continued to be creative with this town treasure. That's why I am delighted to see the spirit of innovation continue,” he said.

Committee Treasurer Críona Buggy is carrying on the involvement of the Lynch family. She is the daughter of Ger Lynch and niece of Brian Lynch, the founding members who retired in recent years after a lifetime of producing the tree and Santa's gifts to the town's children in the local hall.

“During the 1980s, it was the tallest Christmas tree in Europe. To a certain generation, ourselves included, this claim to fame instilled huge pride and fostered a sense of place. It is key to Mountmellick’s sense of identity. We are intent on continuing within that tradition. We are excited for the future of the tree,” she said.

The Christmas Tree Committee wish to thank Laois County Council representatives Paul McLoughlin (Senior Engineer), Simon Walton (Director of Services), Bill Dempsey, (Area Roads Overseer), and Edmond Kenny for their expert guidance and cooperation.

The members are very appreciative of the direct involvement of Cllr Bracken and the local Garda Síochána, and of the residents and business-owners in O’Connell Square for their patience and understanding.

Laois public assured of emergency responses during fire fighters strike

“Key to our decision was the work of the team at Infrastruct AMS Ltd. The report is of huge significance. It is not just a scientific document; It is also a social document, one which will form part of the future heritage narrative of the tree. Not only that, Dr Callanan did all of his work pro bono,” Ms Bishop said.

Dr Callanan a Portlaoise native now living in Mountmellick, is one of thousands who came to see the tree as a child, inspiring him not to charge the committee who rely on public collections to run the tree.

“It's such a good cause and worth the time," he said.  

The committee said that without his gesture, they would have had to fundraise to pay for the report, estimated into the thousands.

“We recommend his company not only on that basis, but also for his professionalism, amenability and expertise. We are indebted to him,” Cathy Bishop said.