Another year over to wait for Covid memorial garden in Portlaoise
It is almost two years since Covid restrictions were lifted and four since it hit Laois and the world, but Portlaoise is still waiting for a memorial for those who suffered the most from the pandemic.
The latest from Laois County Council on a memorial they romised in a Portlaoise park, is that work will start at the earliest in summer 2024.
Cllr Marie Tuohy sought the update in a motion to the October meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
She described why it is needed.
“The pain of Covid is still there. This memorial would show that we don't forget what happened and that we care,” she said.
The mem0rial is to be placed inside the entrance to the People's Park on the Timahoe Road.
“It's good there is a plan. This first came up in June 2021 and we got an update in October 2022.
“We know that the area selected is really suitable. When it's done it will enhance the whole area,” Cllr Tuohy said.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion, noting that Cllr Tuohy's husband had spearheaded the idea when he was in the seat.
“Noel was first to raise it. Can we try to speed it up? I am delighted to see it will be done next year,” she said.
She noted that Covid is “still with us”.
Abbeyleix Tidy Towns installed their Garden of Reflection and Remembrance earlier this year, filled with biodiverse planting. They later won an award for it at the Laois Tidy Town awards, on top of their national top title of Ireland's Tidiest Town.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly said it means a lot to people.
“We have a garden at the junction to the Rathmoyle Road. The amount of people who come and sit and reflect. It was a terrible time for everybody. The amount of poeple who use it is phenomenal. You see three or four sitting there any time of the day. It's for people who lost loved ones and people who have to be remembered for the great work done,” he said.
Cllr Willie Aird agrees.
“A lot of people were buried who couldn't have a proper funeral. Their loved ones had to bottle all that up,” he said.
Also supporting the plan is Cllr Barry Walsh.
“It's very important. People have busy lives and it's important that they have a place to unwind and reflect,” he said.
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District is Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald. She noted that many people died in Laois with Covid, and many frontline workers had to keep working through the pandemic.
In response to Cllr Tuohy, engineer Wes Wilkinson said that they are waiting for a wall to be built, between Pairc an Pobail and No. 1 The Cottages, New Road.
The council's housing section is building the wall.
He said that the area of reflection will be next to the Timahoe Road pedestrian access to the park.
“It is now understood that the boundary wall will be completed in Q2 (April to June) of 2024,” the council engineer said.