Thomasina Connell, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council officially re-opened old St. Peter’s Church and Graveyard in Portlaoise recently.
Significant work has been completed in recent years to restore the church and overall site, which had become very run down and overgrown.
At the event, the Cathaoirleach talked about the significance of old St. Peter’s Church in the story of Potrlaoise. She also thanked and acknowledged the many individuals and agencies that worked on and supported the restoration project.
Finally, Cllr Connell said she “hoped the site will not only be a point of heritage interest, but that it will also provide a place of calm for people to enjoy nature and some quiet reflection in the centre of Portlaoise.”
Old St. Peter’s Church and Graveyard are intertwined with the very origins of Portlaoise, formerly Maryborough as a town.
Not long after construction began on the original fort in the town around 1547, the church and graveyard were also constructed, sitting inside the town walls that developed around the fort.
The fort itself was named ‘Fort Protector’ after Edward Seymour (Lord Somerset), brother-in-law of King Henry VIII, and Protector of England during the (minority) reign of his nephew, King Edward VI.
The fort and associated buildings such as old St. Peter’s Church constituted the beginning of the formalised plantation of Laois and Offaly.
The plantation was the first of its kind that the English undertook and it was aimed at consolidating and extending the authority of the Pale, which was the main area of English influence and power in Ireland.
Although St. Peter’s began as a Catholic church, it changed denomination numerous times over the centuries reflecting the outcomes of the various conflicts and events of history.
The church was demolished in about 1837 leaving just the square tower we see today. Over the years the site became overgrown and neglected. However, a number of dedicated people had the vision and perseverance to restore the site.
The re-opening was attended by many of the individuals who were involved throughout and also representatives of the various agencies that supported the project. The project was initiated by the late Jerry Lodge, represented by his wife Patricia on the day.
It was supported at all times by the elected members and staff from various sections of Laois County Council. The works were implemented as an integral part of the Fort Protector Conservation Plan, commissioned by Laois Heritage Society, especially Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons, and led by Conservation Architect Richard McLoughlin with Archaeologist Eoin Sullivan.
Funding for the project came from The Heritage Council, The Community Monuments Fund of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, Creative Ireland, and The Adopt a Monument Fund.
St. Peter’s Opening Hours: Gates open 7 days per week from the first Monday in April to the last Friday in October between 08:30am and 7pm.
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