Bright new street decorations bringing summer to Portlaoise

Never mind the rain this July, the urban laneways in Portlaoise have gained a fun summer redesign.

Shoppers, residents and visitors to the Laois capital town are admiring new colourful overhead street decorations along Lyster Lane and Pepper’s Lane.

Colourful woven balloons, floral swags, pretty metal butterflies and huge hanging balls of flowers have been installed this week in a Laneway Enhancement Project.

The timing is ideal, ahead of the Stradbally Steam Rally, Electric Picnic and National Ploughing Championships bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Laois this August and September.

Ger Mulhall, chair of Downtown Portlaoise traders group spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live about the installations.

“We are delighted to have them added to the town.  We wanted to enhance the linkages between what we call the old town and new town. We had seen the trends with umbrellas. The town centre on a wet day can be dreary so we figured it needed a spruce up. 

“It is all tied in with our motto of A Town in a Garden, working with Portlaoise Tidy Towns. 

“They are summer installations so they will be taken down in October, to be replaced with  Christmas decorations. We plan then to put them back up again in Spring. 

“They are just cheerful looking, as you walk they will lift the heart and the spirit,” Ms Browne said.

The installations were carried out by MK Illumination Ireland, part funded by a grant.

Paul McLoughlin from Laois County Council gave more details.

“The scheme came about as a result of a collaboration between Downtown Portlaoise and the Town Team at Laois County Council and is aimed at enhancing the appearance, atmosphere and experience in the lanes and the general area. 

“It has introduced colourful, joyful and playful themes improving the experience for residents, those working in and visiting Portlaoise. 

“Peppers lane enforces and supports the intentions of the "Portlaoise Town in a Garden Programme" with the installation of butterflies and flower balls while the Lyster lane scheme includes floating balloons in combination with festoon lighting to create an atmosphere of freedom, happiness and celebration.

“The scheme is part funded through a grant secured by Downtown Portlaoise through the Community Recognition Fund.

“The early feedback has been very positive,” the council official said.