Laois council spending on ploughing monument questioned

A Laois councillor has questioned the council’s spending on a monument to the World Ploughing Championships. 

Questions arose over cost when it was revealed the council had laid foundations for a monument to commemorate the 2022 World Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska.

Councillor  Aisling Moran questioned who should foot the bill for the work. 

The issue was discussed at the latest Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting. 

The council’s progress report noted that: “Foundation works carried out for the World Ploughing Championships monument (Cairn of Peace) in Ratheniska.”

“The foundations are in for Peace of Cairn stone for the World Championships so I’d say the ploughing association are looking forward to that being installed. Is there a day fixed for that?” Cllr PJ Kelly asked.

Senior Executive Engineer Philip McVeigh said the stone will be “probably lifted in January” although he didn’t provide a specific date. 

Cllr Kelly described it as a real landmark following the event and he pointed out that it might never happen there again. 

However, Cllr Moran asked who was paying for the monument. “Is it the NPA(National Ploughing Association) that provide funding for that?” she asked. 

Mr McVeigh explained that “Laois County Council has paid for the groundworks.”

Cllr Moran wanted to know how much had been spent on the work. 

She was told that the works to date cost between €3,500 and €4,000. “For the groundworks, the foundation and the slab,” he said. 

“And the monument itself? Who is paying for the monument?” asked Cllr Moran.

Mr McVeigh said he didn’t have that information.

 “Is it possible to find out? I would just like to know, especially if we are paying for it,” said Cllr Moran.

President  Michael D Higgins unveiled the stone cairn memorial commemorating the World Ploughing Championships at the  Ratheniska site in September.

The cairn is made by McKeon Stone in nearby Stradbally from stone that is 350 million years old. It includes insets of stone from some of the 24 countries who took part in the event.  

However, it was removed while a permanent base was constructed.

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At the same council meeting, Cllr  Moran tabled a motion asking about flooding in Ratheniska following the championships.

Mr McVeigh said “Laois County Council has inspected this location.  This flooding is being caused by a damaged surface water drain in the verge.  The drain was damaged when temporary fencing posts were installed in the verge.”

Cllr Moran wanted to know if the National Ploughing Association would be billed for the council's repair work. 

 If they are responsible, “do a costing...send an invoice to the National Ploughing please,” she said.