In Pictures: Two wheel tour of Laois heritage highways

Laois PPN hosted a Bike Heritage Tour on Saturday, May 20 in Vicarstown as part of Bike week and their overall Climate Action Project 2023.

The Public Participation Network say members were treated to a fantastic bike ride taking in many heritage sites along the way. The tour was led by Laois Archaeologist Sean Murray. To read more about the event see below picture. To see more pictures by Renata Metelicka TAP NEXT or ARROW.

“There is no better way to explore our heritage, than on the leisurely pace of a bike. We cycled along the canal, which itself was completed in 1791, as a sustainable form of transport, and got to stop off at the Grattan Aqueduct, named after Henry Grattan who donated some of his Moyanna Estate for its construction by the Grand Canal Company.

“Taking the country roads, we cycled to Bellegrove House, a 19th Century mansion which was owned by the infamous John George Adair, a business tycoon and progressive farmer, who was not fondly remembered by small farm holders, of whom he evicted many throughout Ireland and most notably at Derryveagh in Co. Donegal. Bellegrove was accidentally burnt to the ground in 1887, two years after the death of "Blackjack".

“His widowed wife Cornelia, built the lavish Church of the Accension at Rathadaire in his honour, which was designed by the emanant Irish Architect James Franklin Fuller, and with thanks to the kind Reverend Ven Leslie Stevenson we got to see the interior and superb stained-glass windows inside.

“At Ballyadding we hopped off the bikes again to visit the Medieval Church ruin and the reputed grave of an O’Dempsey Highwayman, the notorious Cahir na gCapall, who was hung in Maryborough Gaol in 1735. With our tummies rumbling, we were glad to arrive at the Fisherman's thatched Inn, where we were refreshed for the return journey to Vicarstown along the Blueway, a fine day had by all,” said Sean.

Dan Bergin Laois PPN Resource Worker thanked Sean for a fantastic event.

“We received lots of positive feedback from our members who attended and enjoyed both the leisurely 21km cycle and Seans engaging and informative stories about the local area’s rich heritage. Sean has a wealth of knowledge and a way of weaving a story, never more evident than in his book “101 Historic Curiosities in County Laois.

“As part of our Climate Action Project for 2023 Laois PPN hope to inspire our members through events like this that showcase the small positive actions they can take, such as active travel, whilst celebrating our wonderful county,” he said.

Laois PPN consists of 650+ Member Groups from the Community, Social Inclusion and Environmental Pillars. All groups registered with Laois PPN are given the opportunity to attend Laois PPN events. To join Laois PPN complete the application on the Laois PPN website www.laoisppn.ie