Repeated Laois plea to light up Rock of Dunamase heritage site

A leading historic Laois tourist attraction needs to be lit up for special occasions, a Portlaoise councillor insists.

The Office of Public Works has refused to add lights to The Rock of Dunamase castle ruins.

However Cllr Tommy Mulligan from the Portlaoise Municipal District is asking again, 14 months since his previous failed request.

He tabled a motion to the March meeting of Laois County Council asking for lights on special occasions. 

"We should be showcasing this tourist attraction as best we can. It's one of our most popular attractions, with a fortress over 1,000 years old and a castle over 800 years old.

"I understand that my initial proposal last year might not have been practical, following research into light pollution and the effect it can have on disturbing habitats and the need to protect local wildlife.

"The OPW weren't in favour of it at the time, so I'm trying to come at it from a different angle now. 

"This could be lit up not every night but on occasions throughout the year, it would be a fantastic spectacle. 

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"National monuments throughout the country are lit up at different times, for example, St Patrick's Day, Easter rising commemorations, and for international awareness days. 

"The council recognise certain days here and light up their building and it looks great, and it gets people talking. 

"With the exciting news that the visitor carpark and facilities are opening this summer, it would be a great opportunity to showcase the new project if we could get the OPW to illuminate the fortress for that opening. Then we can consider other days after that. Is there a way we can open communication with the OPW, so we can go back to them during the year with ideas on when to light it?" Cllr Mulligan said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion.

"I think to have it all lit up in green for St Patrick's Day is a great idea and I'd love to see it," she said.

An archeological dig at the Rock of Dunamase before the carpark construction turned up exciting finds.

The Rock of Dunamase was lit up in green light, believes Cllr Paddy Buggy.

"In February 2025 it was lit up, the OPW were out testing it out. I have to say it looked really well," he claimed. 

"Landmarks all over the world turn green for St Patrick's Day, and our own landmark should turn green too," he said.

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Another Laois landmark goes green, with a committee taking it into their own hands, added Cllr Conor Bergin.

"Aghaboe Abbey committee went ahead and did it themselves, we could learn a lot from that committee. It's our big landmark on the west of the county. They have been approached by groups to light it up for awareness days. People come from all over to see it lit up red for a recent day for premature baby deaths. It meant a lot to a lot of people," Cllr Bergin said.

Laois County Council will now make the request to the Office of Public Works.