The annual Cruinniú na Óg took place at locations across Laois last week.
Hosted on Saturday June 7, we bring you pictures from events in Portlaoise, Mountrath, Castletown and Rathdowney.
There were great celebrations in Abbeyleix too as they commemorate 250 years of their town.
Abbeyleix was founded in 1775, after the first Viscount Thomas de Vesci and his wife Lady Elizabeth Selina de Vesci had already laid the foundation stone in 1773 for their new home that later became AbbeyLeix House.
They had already been working on plans to demolish the existing ‘old town’ and build a new one in the shape of a cross.
The old town near the River Nore, on the site of an early Christian abbey, developed under the protection of a 12th century Cistercian monastery.
When the de Vesci family acquired the AbbeyLeix estate in 1750, they decided to demolish the old town and moved its residents to a new planned town.
The new town at the time of construction was known as Rathmoyle and later became known as New Town, before finally settling on the name of Abbeyleix.
The town continued to grow under the leadership of the second Viscount John de Vesci (1771-1855), a son of Thomas and Lady Elizabeth. The memorial fountain in the centre of the Market Square was built in his honour in 1855.
Photographer Alf Harvey was out and about at those events and captured some great images.
Check them out below:
Portlaoise Library, Candlelit Tales
Watching on at the Aron Hegarty Candlelit Tales at Portlaoise Library during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Enjoying the Aron Hegarty Candlelit Tales at Portlaoise Library during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Six month old Nell Noblet watching the Aron Hegarty Candlelit Tales at Portlaoise Library during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Aron Hegarty delivering Candlelit Tales at Portlaoise Library during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Some of the large attendance for the Aron Hegarty Candlelit Tales at Portlaoise Library during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day
Play time with Roisin from Ready Steady Play at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Jeca with volunteers at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Amber, Lucy and Ella meeting the animals at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Emma Condon from Nore Valley Farm; Joan Bolger, Portlaoise FRC manager; Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, Brian Stanley TD and junior volunteers Lily O’Connor, Leah O’Reilly Redmond and Leah Shortall at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Jeca with Jack and Miley Pot and Brooke Sheils at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Lilia Whelan meeting a rabbit with Emma Condon from Nore Valley Farm at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.4 month old John Paul McCaffrey having fun at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.David Mikalcius at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Frankie Doheny at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Fishing time at the Family Resource Centre Portlaoise Fun Day during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Bloom HQ
Linda Gyves with Holly Gyves at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Linda, Nia and Harrison Gyves at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Mollie Linehan at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Muireann Dempsey at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Jason and Robbie Linehan and Jack Finn at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Sean and Millie Cotter at Bloom HQ in Mountrath for the Inclusive Art Workshop during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Castletown Coding
Aaron Delahunty and Ralph Ozenbrook at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Éadaoin Mullanney and Mia Butler at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Tyler Doheny and Liam Wall with tutor Isabel Reichl at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Ellie Butler and Matthew Cooper at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Tom Cunniffe and Caoimhe O’Keeffe at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Conor Delaney,Aaron Delahunty and Nadia Dunphy at the De La Salle Monastery Castletown for the Castletown Community Centre hosted Makey Makey Coding during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Mountrath Library
Creating at Mountrath Library for the Relaxation & Meditation as Gaeilge with Clídna de Brún during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Creativity at Mountrath Library for the Relaxation & Meditation as Gaeilge with Clídna de Brún during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Being creative at Mountrath Library for the Relaxation & Meditation as Gaeilge with Clídna de Brún during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Exercise time at Mountrath Library for the Relaxation & Meditation as Gaeilge with Clídna de Brún during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Abbeyleix 250 celebrations
Artist Aileen Donovan, historian Kevin O’Brien and Noel Burke at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The cake at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Tom de Vesci and Fr Paddy Byrne at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Pádraig Kelly and Ryan Buggy at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Nessa Jane and Saoirse Bonham with Caoimhe Sheehan at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Ava Lawless, Beth Thompson and Carla Mansfield at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Artist Aileen Donovan with Alannah Phelan, Sadhbh McAuliffe, Elsa Mooney and Anna Cass at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Joe and Rose Turner at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Eoghan Dunne, John Nolan and Adam O’Carroll from Morrissey’s with sweets for the children at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Abby Brennan, Rebecca Moran and Saoirse and Grace Curley at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Young artists with Scoil Mhuire teacher Mary Egan; Noel Burke, artist Aileen Donovan and David Broderick, Creative Ireland Laois at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Artist Aileen Donovan, historian Kevin O’Brien and Noel Burke at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Elsa Mooney and Abby Brennan at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Daniel Kenna at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Alannah Phelan and Anna Cass at Abbeyleix Library for a day highlighting the creativity of the children of Abbeyleix for the 250 celebrations during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Laois le Chíle at Laois Music Centre
The Laois School of Music band at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.A huge attendance for the Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Young member sof the Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Laois County librarian Bernie Foran and David Broderick, Creative Ireland Laois at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Claudine Leonard and Karen McHugh with Sean Keane at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Aoife Molloy and Siofra Moore at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Kate Sheeran, Lucy Keane and Emily Clear at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Musician James O’Connor with his nephews Odin and Zane O’Connor Conroy at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.The Laois Community Choir performing at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Liam Breen and the Altos at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Anne Marie Flanagan and Eli Cahill with Marley at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Charlotte Power at Laois Music Centre for Laois le Chéile during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Colliers Wood YWI Laois Street Art Workshop
Young artists at Colliers Wood YWI Laois for the Street Art Workshop with artist Madderdoit during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Jamie Wright at Colliers Wood YWI Laois for the Street Art Workshop with artist Madderdoit during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Chingyi Ho at Colliers Wood YWI Laois for the Street Art Workshop with artist Madderdoit during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
Drumming Rathdowney Library
Young drummers at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Leading the sounds at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.HItting the beat at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Concentration at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Ava O’Dea and Maebh Ryan at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Having fun at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.Sean Meagher at Rathdowney Library for a BIg Bang Drumming Workshop with Ricky Ryan during Cruinniú na nÓg in Laois. Photo: Alf Harvey.
