Laois legend to be honoured in the Slieve Blooms

A big event is planned to start October in the Slieve Blooms who championed the Laois Offaly mountains as well as being a great man for community and county throughout is Laois.

As part of celebrating their 48th year of existence the Slieve Bloom Association is unveiling a memorial plaque in honour of the late Mick Dowling on Sunday, October 1.

Mick, who died in 2019, was a much respected Laois man from Camross man who devoted his life to promoting his native county and in particular his beloved Slieve Blooms. He was one of the original members of the Slieve Bloom Development Association, Laois Heritage Society and later Laois Tourism. Mick was a founder and chairman of the Laois Tour Guides Forum and founder of the Camross Active Retirement Group.

Mick was a historian, tour guide, hurler, ambassador of Laois and a true gent whose way with words and telling of a tale was legendary. A true blue and white man of Laois,  Mick also sported the black and amber of his native Camross winning six County Championships in his days on the hurling field.

The day begins with 12 noon mass celebrated by Fr Brian Griffin with music by Martin Delaney. It will be followed at 1pm by a pageant procession to Longford Cross for the unveiling of the plaque.

Music and dinner will then be provided from 2 pm in Camross Community Hall R32 TX8Y. Music by Martin Delaney. All are welcome to this celebration and anyone wishing to have a roast dinner on the day should contact any member of the Slieve Bloom Association as soon as possible.

Tickets are €25 and are available from the following people: Matt Barrett 087-672-6290 Clonaslee, Margaret Dowling 086 780 4009 Camross, Mary Doyle 086-334-9365 Kinnitty, Johnny Rigney 087-668-3792 Cadamstown, Christy Conroy, 087-996-2898 Rosenallis, Seamus McDonald 087-989-5112 Mountmellick.