‘Isle of Song’ launches in Laois
‘Isle of Song’ is an exciting new song-writing project taking place between March and October 2025 with children and young people from Laois, Offaly and across Northern Ireland.
Isle of Song is aimed at young musicians and singers, who love music and are interested in song-writing, aged between 10 and 18.
The project is led by Music Generation Laois and The Nerve Centre, Derry. who will run two residential music camps in Laois and Antrim will give participants a chance to experience playing in a band, collaborating to write songs with fellow participants, working with a team of experienced mentors.
Isle of Song will culminate with showcase concerts where the bands will perform in The Nerve Centre in Derry as part of the Stendhal Festival in Limavady and in the Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of the Fort The Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise.
Rosa Flannery, Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois, said: “This project really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young people, who will get to meet like-minded young musicians from all over Ireland, visit new places, perform at festivals and in professional music venues, record and release new music.”
Hat-trick of nominations for Laois at AONTAS STAR Awards
Laois is celebrating a hat-trick of nominations as three adult education programmes from the county are shortlisted for the AONTAS STAR Awards 2025.
The STAR Awards showcase 24 outstanding adult education initiatives across Ireland, honouring excellence in adult learning.
The STAR Awards 2025 winners will be unveiled at Croke Park on Friday, March 7, where the three Laois nominees will be:
Transformative Journeys for Traveller Women – Social Inclusion. A programme by the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) that empowers individuals who have experienced cumulative trauma.
Dignity Partnership – Global Citizenship Education. A civic education initiative that promotes inclusion and integration for international protection applicants, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in Irish society.
Beyond Barriers – Learner Voice Award. An LOETB project that amplifies the voices of adult learners in their literacy service.
Laois towns invited to bid for Culture Night event
The Laois Arts Office is seeking applications from towns in the county interested in being considered for the spectacle event to be held during Culture Night 2025.
The event will be held on Friday,September, 19.
A creative team including a producer, artists and Music Generation Laois will guide the town in making the Culture Night, a night to remember.
The successful town will work closely with the creative team, involving as many stakeholders as possible including schools, community groups, men’s sheds, ICA, resident groups, artists, and musicians.
Night Creatures Parade took place on Culture Night 2023 in Stradbally, while Rathdowney Revels was the title of the 2024 event.
Details and application forms for opportunities available from the Arts Office at Laois County Council – call 057-8664163 – email arts@laoiscoco.ie – or visit Laois.ie.
Nominations open for 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year programme
The 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is officially open for nominations, with entrepreneurs from emerging, established and international businesses across all industry sectors in Laois invited to submit their nominations.
Closing date for nominations is Thursday, February 27.
This year, the programme celebrates entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland whose vision and innovation are creating long-term value and helping to shape the future with confidence.
There will be 24 finalists selected to take part in this year’s programme, who will participate in an exciting strategic growth programme over a ten-month period, including a week-long CEO Retreat to Tokyo, Japan.
The programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The awards programme is divided into three categories – Emerging, Established and International – with eight finalists chosen per category.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Sustainability Award will also be presented to one of the finalists in recognition of their business’ significant contribution towards achieving and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The 24 finalists will be selected by an independent judging panel comprising of a selection of former winners.
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