Home > Counties > Co. Laois > Portlaoise

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

Heywood Gardens

Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

Representing two chapters of garden history, Ballinakill is an 18th century landscaped estate laid out in the romantic manner, with a rare gem - an architectural garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) - at its heart. Created in 1906 for ...

View all Read on

Golf

Kilkea Castle Golf Resort

Castledermot, Co. Kildare
Course Type: Parkland

Kilkea Castle Golf Course is an 18 hole par 70 championship golf course with lush fairways, excellent greens and well manicured areas will challenge the most experienced golfers. The course offers a challenging round and encourages you to use eve ...

View all Read on

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 ...

View all Read on

What's On

Tullamore Country Fair - County Offaly - Saturdays

Tullamore County Fair

Millennium Square, Main Street, Tullamore, County Offaly

Saturdays 9am to 4pm

Producer led market specialising in fine food, street entertai ...

View all Read on

Tourist Attractions

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

This wonderful 80 acre discovery park & visitor centre, located at Castlecomer Demesne and Estate Yard is a place to escape and reconnect with nature, to discover more about local coal mining heritage and contemporary craft, and to explore an ...

View all Read on

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 ...

View all Read on