Denis O’Donovan of Ballyryan, Donohill, Co Tipperary
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12 Mar 2026
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12 Mar 2026
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Portlaoise students use nature, music, art and poetry to promote acceptance
The Laois branch of the National Learning Network have marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a touching series of events that call for acceptance and non-labelling by society.
The National Learning Network in Portlaoise held the special ceremony a day ahead of the international commemoration day which is on January 27.
They planted a native Irish Silver Birch tree and added crocuses around it, they each decorated paper butterflies, read a Butterfly Poem and ended the commemoration with singing, helped by Laois Music Generation musician Terry Byrne.
Team Leader Rhoda Walsh from NLN told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why they held the event.
"It is the first time we did it. The United Nations were asking projects to get involved in inclusive events. We chose this one because like the star of David that was sewn onto a lot of the Holocaust victims' clothes to identify them as Jews, a lot of our students are labelled too.
"There isn't acceptance or inclusion in society yet, although we have come a long way. This is about promoting acceptance," she said.
"After the ceremony, we brought the students into the recreation area where Terry from Laois Music Generation who was there to give lessons, led them in a positive song. It was actually very emotional," Rhoda said.
NLN Portlaoise has 67 adult students, at their base on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise.
They provide a range of courses for people who have had an accident, illness, mental health issue, injury, or have a disability and need extra supports to learn. They include training modules for Employability Skills awards, as well as horticulture, music and songwriting and rehabilitation programmes.
The tree was kindly donated by SAP Landscapes, while Rushall Plant Hire prepared the ground for it.
The event was organised by team leaders Rhoda Walsh and Brendan Brogan. The centre is managed by Cian Doyle. For more on NLN Portlaoise see their Facebook page here and their webpage here.
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