Alan Hartnett
Stradbally native Alan Hartnett is a graduate of Knockbeg College who has worked in the local and national media since 2008. Alan has a BA in Economics, Politics and Law and an MA in Journalism from DCU. His happiest moment was when Jody Dillon scored THAT goal in the Laois senior football final in 2016.
2 Johnnies set to land in Portlaoise to help Applegreen celebrate annual birthday
Applegreen is throwing a birthday party this July and they’ve enlisted Ireland’s The 2 Johnnies to lead the celebrations.
Taking place at Applegreen Midway, Junction...
Portlaoise Hospital team up with Gardai for new crime prevention programme
Portlaoise Hospital has officially launched Hospital Watch, a proactive crime prevention programme in the hospital setting.
Similar to a residential Neighbourhood Watch scheme, it operates...
Rowney defeats Mullins as Strong Link upsets odds on shot to claim Tipperary prize
There was Laois success over at Tipperary Racecourse last week as a horse owned by a Laois man turned over a favourite trained by...
In Pictures: Glorious conditions as the curtain falls on the 2025 Old Fort Festival
The 2025 edition of the Old Fort Festival came to a conclusion in glorious sunshine on Sunday.
Crowds flocked to Portlaoise all weekend as the...
In Pictures: Big crowds and mighty craic as 2025 Old Fort Festival begins with...
The Old Fort Festival returned to Portlaoise last night with a big crowd out in attendance.
The musical entertainment at Old Fort Festival inside the...
Pivotal Saturday in the club football leagues as all bar one final place will...
It is set to be a big Saturday of club football action in Laois with relegation and promotion up for grabs.
Those two topics will...
ACFL Division 1: Delaney’s goals and Whelan’s points lead Ballyroan-Abbey to the final
Ballyroan-Abbey 3-21 Portlaoise 0-15
ACFL Division 1 Semi Final
Ballyroan-Abbey will contest the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 final after they defeated Portlaoise this evening.
A...
Laois Abroad: From Sydney to Perth, missing Supermac’s but learning to live life –...
Laois Abroad is brought to you in association with Abbeyleix Chauffeur Services
The always popular Laois Abroad series returns for the fifth time in 2025.
Up next...
ACHL Division 6: Classy Connolly and deadly Dunne lead Ballyfin to glory against Borris-Kilcotton
Ballyfin 3-19 Borris-Kilcotton 2-15
ACHL Division 6 Final
Ballyfin were crowned Laois Shopping Centre ACHL Division 6 champions following victory over Borris-Kilcotton this evening.
This was a...
In Pictures: Community comes together as Laois principal retires after 44 years of service
A huge crowd turned out at The Swan Community Hall to celebrate the career of a much loved member of the area.
Kathleen Boland officially...
Independent TD makes the case for additional GPs and outlines shortages in Laois
Independent TD Brian Stanley has spoken about a shortage of GPs in Laois in the Dail recently.
Speaking directly to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Deputy Stanley...
Laois Library Service launches Summer Stars Reading Programme
Laois Libraries officially launched this year’s Summer Stars Reading Programme with special guest, children’s author Sarah Webb in Portlaoise Library.
Sarah joined Cathaoirleach of Laois...
In Pictures: Men’s Health Week 2025 celebrated in men’s sheds across Laois
Laois PPN, in collaboration with Healthy Laois, received a heartfelt welcome from the Portlaoise Men’s Shed, Mountmellick Men’s Shed, and Knock Vintage and Men’s...
In Pictures: Laois soccer club celebrate year of huge success in Carlow League
A big crowd gathered in the Talbot Hotel in Carlow recently as a Laois soccer club came together to celebrate a brilliant season.
Graiguecullen club...
Cosy Choir dazzles with magical sold out community concert to celebrate ten years
On Friday evening last, the Cosy Choir delivered an a performance to celebrate their ten year anniversary in front of a sold out audience.
Held...
Laois primary school named a Green-Schools Water School of the Year
Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix, were named as regional Water School of the Year at the An Taisce Green-Schools awards, which were held in Dublin last...
Laois soccer club achieve FAI Club Mark to recognise excellence in governance and coaching
Abbeyleix Athletic Soccer Club has been awarded the prestigious FAI Club Mark, a nationally recognised standard of excellence for football clubs in Ireland.
They are...
In Pictures: Amber Flag Award for Scoil Fionntáin Naofa, Shanahoe after a year of...
Scoil Fionntáin Naofa, Shanahoe has been awarded their first ‘Amber Flag’ from Pieta House for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the school...
ACHL Division 4: First half dominance the key as Clonad see off Ballypickas to...
Clonad 2-18 Ballypickas 1-15
ACHL Division 4 Semi-Final
Clonad are through to the 2025 Laois Shopping Centre ACHL Division 4 final after seeing off Ballypickas this...
Laois author set to host free webinars and online workshops for Brunel University of...
A Laois author is set to host a series of free webinars and online workshops for Brunel University of London.
Helen Cullen, from Portlaoise, has...
Laois Abroad: Meet the Portlaoise man who travelled to the far east and made...
Laois Abroad is brought to you in association with Abbeyleix Chauffeur Services
The always popular Laois Abroad series returns for the fourth time in 2025.
Up next...
Portlaoise College announces Entrance Scholarship award winners for 2025
Two exceptional incoming students have been awarded the prestigious Entrance Scholarships at Portlaoise College for 2025.
This year’s recipients are Rafaels Zemvalds, a pupil at...
Abbeyleix set to host Wild Bee Festival as event comes to Laois for the...
Abbeyleix is set to host the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan’s 2025 Wild Bee Festival, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
The Wild...
In Pictures: Big crowd in attendance as Mountmellick launches Draft Town Centre First Plan
A step-by-step guide has been outlined for members of the community to help their voices be heard following the launch of the Draft Town...
Nine homes available as Laois County Council unveil affordable Purchase Scheme houses in Stradbally
Laois County Council has launched a Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme at Oak Vale Meadows, Stradbally.
This scheme is presented in partnership with Mark Coleman...
Well wishes paid as ‘incredibly hard working’ Laois teacher retires after 28 years of...
It was an emotional occasion in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Church in Portlaoise on Thursday as a long serving teacher retired.
Jayne Breslin was...
Park-Ratheniska hosting family fun day to raise funds ahead of first ever Ladies national...
Park-Ratheniska Ladies football club are set to host a family fun day at their grounds in Ratheniska this Sunday.
All funds raised on the day...
HSE change plans ‘for a third time’ on Mountrath Health Centre
Local Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has said that the HSE have changed plans again for the third time on Mountrath Health Centre.
Outlining the...
WATCH: ‘War to Welcome in The Little Town’ – How Stradbally responded when war...
A lovely event took place in Stradbally Library last night as members of the community came together for a special screening.
'From War to Welcome...
‘Older people were scared and intimidated’ – Laois Councillors react after ‘unauthorised settlement’ finally...
Laois County Council heard how residents in a particular part of the county were left 'intimidated' and 'scared' by the presence of an 'unauthorised...