Map of Hotels

Click to enlarge

Featured Hotel

Heritage Hotel

Portlaoise, Co. Laois

» Check Availability

Laois (pronounced LEASH) is another of Ireland's 12 land-locked counties. A flat plain, the lowest point of which is the Bog of Allen, dominates the center of Ireland. The bog comprises most of the counties of Offaly and Laois. Bord-na-mona, or in English, "The Turf Board", have for the past 50 years harvested the bog, stripping the wet turf in thin layers, drying it and using the turf for the production of Briquettes, a modern day version of 'sods of turf'. This is Ireland's prime source of fuel for fireplace/cooking/electricity generation, etc.

The heritage of the County includes one of the finest celtic fortificatoins in Ireland - the Rock of Dunamase and numerous fine houses of architectural merit. Visit the towns and villages associated with the Quakers and Huguenots or the waterfalls and valleys of the Slieve Bloom. There are several gardens of note, angling, golf and equestrian facilities for every level, and for the outdoor walker both long and short walks on which one can escape the stresses and rigour of everyday life. The good humour and hospitality offered by the people of Laois through the numerous places to stay, places to eat and pubs in which to enjoy the Irish traditional music and fun will ensure you will have a wonderful visit to the county.

Portlaoise and Portarlington are the two main towns, which though far from the sea, were actual ports for the barges that plied the Canals linking Dublin and the rest of Ireland, before the railways were built.

Sporting attractions include fishing, hunting, shooting and golf.

Abbeyleix Golf Club
Heath Golf Club
Heritage Club
Mountrath Golf Club
Rathdowney Golf Club

Main Tourist Attractions

• Ballaghmore Castle - Ballaghmore

  Built in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain, MacGiollaphadraig, the castle was partially destroyed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell, during the times of the famous Laois-Offaly Plantations in 1647. In 1836 a Mr. Ely restored it, but he never lived in the castle. The castle, in its state of disuse after the death of Ely, was used as a granary. An interesting feature of the castle is the 'Sile-na-Gig' carved into one of the outside walls. It was used as a fertility symbol and also to ward off evil in Pagan times.
• Ballyfin House - Mountrath

  Located six miles from Mountrath, Ballyfin House is a magnificent example of the type of architecture that went into some of the greatest houses in Ireland during the 1800's. It is also said to be the finest sandstone neo-classical house to be found in Ireland dating from that period.  An architect, to the name of William Morrison, was involved in the designing of the original house in the late 1700's. When Sir Charles Coote bought the house and estate in 1812 he took to redesign and rebuild the original house with the architect, Richard Morrison.
• Donaghmore Museum - Portaloise

  Located close to Portlaoise, Donaghmore museum is housed in a restored Workhouse originally built in the early 1850s. As a result of the great famine of 1845-1849, about 1200 people, or 10 percent of the population of the area, was forced to seek refuge here. The building acquired a new lease of life in 1924 when the Donaghmore Co-operative Society began operations.  The original dormitories, a kitchen and a waiting hall are all authentically restored in the museum.
• Gash Gardens - Castletown

  Located at Gash, Castletown, Portlaoise, this four acre garden provides a decorative home for many interesting and unusual plants. It incorporates a large rock garden with rare alpines, a heath garden, splendidly colourful herbaceous borders, rhododendrons and a collection of choice trees and shrubs. There is a moon house, small pools, waterfalls, meandering streams and a secret passage leading to a riverside walk. The Nursery and Plant Centre are open all year
• Slieve Bloom Environmental Mountain Park - Birr

  In contrast with the surrounding plain, this modest 615m high mountain range appears imposing. Blanket bog, green forest with picnic and amenity areas, waterfalls, deep glens and peaceful villages make the area's 155,400 hectares an altogether delightful touring destination.
• The Abbey Leix Carpet Works - Abbeyleix

  Re-live the story of Ireland's unique and world famous carpet factory at the Abbeyleix Heritage Centre where you can experience the authentic recreation of the factory's interior in the early 1900's. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll to the site of the old factory, on Main Street, Abbeyleix. (Bramley's Motor Works) The factory opened in 1904, employing local women and girls to make turkey knot carpets and rugs by the unique latch hook needle and workbench system.
• The Sensory Gardens - Abbeyleix

  Located at Abbeyleix, The Sensory Gardens will appeal to everybody by the stimulation of the senses - vision, smell, touch, taste and sound. Set in the walled gardens of the Brigidine Convent, Abbey Sense Garden is the first of its kind in Ireland whose aim is to create a nursery specialising in fragrant plants. The garden provides a peaceful haven of spiritual and sensory nourishment and ultimately contemplation for the visito

Heritage Sites

• Emo Court House - Portaloise

  Located close to Portlaoise, Emo Court was designed by the architect, James Gandon in 1790 for the first Earl of Portalington, and is a magnificent example of neo-classical style. Owned throughout the middle of this century by the Jesuits, it was then acquired and extensively restored by Mr Chomely Harrison in the 1960s. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, first laid out in formal style in the 18th century. The house and gardens were taken into State ownership in 1994.