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Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Port Laoise is the county town of County Laois in the midlands. The name is Irish for "Fort of Laois", however, a partially anglicised pronunciation as "Port Laois" (say 'Port Leash') is common.

Portlaoise was originally established as the Fort of Maryborough in 1556 under the reign of Queen Mary, and many elements of its garrison past are still evident throughout the town. The town now has a large and growing commuter population availing of the rail and motorway connections to Dublin.

The old jail in Portlaoise town centre has been recently restored to create a multi-purpose arts centre, which regularly hosts a variety of cultural delights.

Just outside Portlaoise lies the Rock of Dunamaise, an ancient Celtic fortification that is reputed to have been mapped by Ptolemy in the 8th century. The view from the summit is spectacular and well worth the climb.

Gardens

Burtown House Gardens

Athy, Co. Kildare

Part of the pleasure at Burtown is the sense of discovery, for there are a great many features waiting to be found behind hedges and around corners. At their heart is a 300 year old house surrounded by the legacy of previous generations much crea ...

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Golf

Carlow Golf Club

Carlow, Co. Carlow
Course Type: Parkland

Long acknowledged as one of the country's finest parkland courses, Carlow Golf Club was founded in 1899. The 6,570 yard par 70 course is naturally free draining and the sandy sub-soil has always made this a highly attractive venue to play at any ...

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Self Catering

Roundwood House - The Forge & The Cottage

Mountrath, Co. Laois

Two self-catering units situated on the grounds of Roundwood House, an 18th century Palladian Villa, in a beautiful region of central Ireland at the foot of the unspoilt Slieve Bloom Mountains. Each building possesses immense character and is ...

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What's On

Athy Farmers Market - County Kildare - Sundays

Athy Farmers Market - Emily Square, Athy, Co Kildare

Sunday, 10am - 3pm

Contact: 087 215 3332; www.kildare.ie/athyfarmersmarket

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Tourist Attractions

Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens

Kildare, Co. Kildare

For well over 100 years, the pride of Tully has been a working stud farm, its central objective being to produce for Ireland thoroughbreds capable of being crowned champions at home and abroad. But the Irish National Stud is far more than jus ...

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Wedding Venues

Castle Durrow

Durrow, Co. Laois

This 300-year-old mansion half way between Dublin and Cork has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and, overlooking beautiful terraced gardens to the south, and the River Erkina to the north, it makes a magnificently romantic weddin ...

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