Portlaw

Places, Events, People and local History, illustrated with text, photographs, etc. by the site owner. Photographs or items supplied by others will be given credit. Text and/or images by the author or other contributors are COPYRIGHT, and may not be reproduced without permission in printed publications of any kind. However, we have now introduced a facility under each aticle, whereby you may now legally post or forward these images to social media, or email to friends,without permission.

Friday, July 6, 2018

THE FARMYARD . . .

The
Farmyard,
Curraghmore,
on
Tuesday, July 3rd,
2018

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Rain Shortage

Weeks of abnormally-dry weather has resulted in problems for various crops.

in parts of the country.

A number of local potato-fields are being sprayed during past two weeks.

This scene, opposite main entrance to Curraghmore,

had two sprayers in action .

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

The EMO connection . . .

The village of EMO, in County Laois ( from the Irish IOMA, which I can't find a translation for), is situated a few miles N.E. of Portlaoise, on the road to Portarlington.

The village grew up around the estate called EMO COURT, founded in the late 1700s by the then Earl of Portarlington. The estate in those days consisted of thousands of acres of land. The 3rd Earl, Henry Dawson-Damer, donated the site for the village's Gothic R.C. church, Saint Paul's, completed in 1870 approx.

We noticed the above plaque on an entrance gate pillar while driving by one day at Easter last.

The church's fine interior includes some beautiful stained glass windows, especially that over the altar, depicting the Last Supper, also one depicting Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus

In addition, there's this fine 'Pieta' on left inside the main door.

Main attraction, however, must surely be a life-size Carrara marble monument by the famous sculptor, Joseph Boehm, which was commissioned by Lord Portarlington in 1875 in memory of his wife, Lady Alexandrina, better known as Aline.

Therein lies the first connection with Portlaw.
The sculptor, Boehm, also executed the fine marble effigy of
Florence Grosvenor Rowley (1844 - 1895),
wife of the 5th Marquess of Waterford,
at Clonagam Church, Portlaw.

Lady Florence's memorial in Portlaw.

Lady Florence died in childbirth.
Both herself and her infant child are buried outside the front door of
Clonagam Church (Church of Ireland/Eaglais na hÉireann), Portlaw,
County Waterford.
Further pictures of the memorial can be seen on this blog
by clicking on the Clonagam Church entry
under 'Popular Posts' on the site's home-page.

N.B. Clonagam Church and cemetery are seldom open nowadays;
maybe only one day a year!

Further text to follow!

Friday, May 4, 2018

The Third Day of Summer . . .

Looking towards the Comeraghs, with the highest point, Knockanaffrin, left of centre, and 'The Gap' nearer to left.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Handmade Quilt for Auction

A Fundraising Table Quiz for the Dr Martin Day Centre will be held in the Cotton Mill Portlaw on next Friday the 23rd of March at 8.15 pm. A table of 4 is 20 Euro or 5 Euro per person and also a raffle for some great prizes. On the night we will also hold an Auction for a beautiful handmade patchwork quilt. After the quiz we will have music by D.J. Alan; so please come along to support this excellent service for the older members of our community to raise badly needed funds.

Cards every Tuesday night at 8pm in the Dr Martin Centre; all welcome come along; cash prizes.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

DAFFODILS . . .

Taken about a week ago, it's life, and that of many others, was short lived,

due to the weight of the recent snow

Fortunately, all nearby miniature ones survived!

- oooOooo -

I am pleased to say I was able to visit places associated with
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
while on a holiday in Cumbria a short few years ago.
More about that another time.