City of Franklin Official Delegation Visit to County Laois, Ireland

Laois County Council Hosts Sister Cities Delegation from Franklin and Williamson County, Tennessee Early arrivals to Laois attended the open day at Abbeyleix House and Farm on Sunday, the 29th, which they thoroughly enjoyed. On Monday, June 30th, a Sister Cities Committee meeting was held before the delegation from Tennessee met with Laois County Council Management, Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Padraig Fleming and elected members. They attended the June Council Meeting, at which Mayor Ken Moore and Eric Stuckey, Franklin City Administrator, addressed the elected members, followed by a visit to a number of sites around Portlaoise in the afternoon. The group was greeted by Mr. Tony Woods, CEO of Midland Steel Facility, for a tour and presentation, followed by a visit to Treo Nua Community Center, where they met residents of Knockmay housing estates.

They also met members of Laois Art Fusion Group and the Council’s Heritage and Local Studies Officers at Portlaoise Library. A Portlaoise Plane History Talk by renowned local historians Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons, and a visit by Franklin Fire Chief Glenn Johnson to the Portlaoise Fire Station were also part of the day. The evening concluded with GAA Skills Training at the Laois GAA Centre, where the delegation tried their hand at rounders, from which baseball evolved. Tuesday, July 1st, or "Lovely Laois!!" day, featured extensive exploration of local attractions around the county. The delegation visited Emo Court and House, Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum, Abbeyleix Bog, Heywood Gardens, Timahoe Round Tower, and the Rock of Dunamaise. The day culminated in a BBQ and entertainment at Ballykilcavan Brewery and Farm, with the Music Generation Laois Intermediate Trad group providing the music. The evening offered a traditional Laois Comhaltas Session with special guest Emer Dunne at PJ Kavanaghs in Portlaoise.