Laois is a county of quiet natural beauty. It has a wide diversity of scenery ranging from the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the rich farmland that covers much of the county. There are extensive forests in the county and within a mile of several of the main roads there are bogs and tracts of peat that are beautiful and peaceful. Various scenic routes and beauty spots include the Windy Gap near Stradbally and the nature walks in the Slieve Blooms, Durrow and Abbeyleix. Its built heritage includes the majestic ruins at the Rock of Dunamaise, the first plantation fort in the English speaking world at Portlaoise, numerous monastic remains and magnificent houses including Emo Court, Ballyfin Demense, Abbeyleix House and Stradbally Hall.
Laois is a rural county which has a steadily intensifying urban density. In 2002 the population of Laois was 58,722 and in 2016 it grew to 84,732 as per census data. Laois has the second highest rate of population growth in the State (28%) since 2011, 2.5 times the National average of 8.1%. The population in Laois from 2002 to 2016 shows a 44% increase in 15 years.
The Arts Office provides information, advice and assistance to a wide range of clients, and develops policies in relation to the arts. Five Arts Plans and its Creative Ireland Strategy have been adopted. The Arts Office also manages and delivers a number of key cultural initiatives, such as the annual Leaves Literary Festival, Bealtaine Festival, Culture Night, a Summer Arts Programme as well as coordinating two chapters of the Laois Youth Theatre, and others in Mountrath and Portarlington. Other developments include public art, artists in schools programme, grants, bursary schemes and the Creative Ireland Laois programme.
The candidate will be expected to possess excellent administration and interpersonal skills and the confidence
to work independently and creatively within a complex network of relationships.
Post of: Assistant Arts Officer – Grade v
Closing Date: 4pm Wednesday 31 st January 2024
Completed Application Forms (3 copies) should be submitted to:
Human Resources Department
Laois County Council
Aras an Chontae
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
