If you’re looking forward to an action-packed holiday season look no further than Laois this Christmas.
Between teenage discos, monster raffles, coffee morning, Christmas fairs, craft workshops, concerts and Christmas Extravaganzas – there is something for everyone of all ages this weekend.
FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER
Portarlington – Teenage Disco
A Christmas teenage disco will take place in Portarlington Community Centre from 8-11.
Portarlington – Monster Raffle
The Portarlington Community Centre Monster Christmas Raffle will take place at 12 noon.
Portlaoise – Coffee morning for Active Retirement
Portlaoise Active Retirement are holding their coffee morning, cake sale and bumper draw in the parish centre at 10.30am. All proceeds go to new PASS centre.
Arles – Arles NS Christmas Fair
Arles NS are holding a Christmas crafts fair and coffee morning in the school from 9.30am to 11am.
All money raised goes towards school funds.
Graiguecullen – Christmas Nativity
Graiguecullen Parish Childcare Centre CLG in St Fiacc’s Hall at 10am.
Killasmeestia – Christmas Parish Social
There is a Christmas Parish Social with dancing from 9.30pm to 12.30am.
Music by Declan Aungier.
Trumera – School Disco
Trumera Gaelscoil are holding a school disco for third to sixth class from 7pm to 9.30pm.
SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER
Stradbally – The Stradbally Country Market Christmas Fair
The Stradbally Country Market Christmas Fair takes place today in St Patrick’s Hall between 10am to 4pm.
All kinds of delicious treats including scones, biscuits, cakes and desserts as well as arts and crafts are available on the day.
Abbeyleix – Craft Workshop
Abbeyleix Heritage House will host a children’s Christmas craft workshop on Saturday. Session one is from 10am to noon and session is from 2pm to 4pm. To book call 057 8731653.
Coolrain – Santa Visit
Santa Claus is visiting Sheeran’s pub in Coolrain at 5pm for what is bound to be a magical experience in the popular local pub.
Portlaoise -Santa’s Grotto
Santa’s Grotto is back this weekend in O’Loughlin’s Hotel on both Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm.
Portlaoise – Silent Santa
Silent Santa returns to meet children on the ASD spectrum in the Macra Hall between 10am to 4pm. No charge applies but parents are asked to bring a wrapped present.
Portlaoise – Christmas Market
The Portlaoise Christmas Market takes place on Saturdays on the Timahoe Road. Gates open from 7.30am to 2pm. Christmas presents, trees, lights and toys are available at this indoor market.
Mountrath – Christmas Craft Fair
A Christmas craft fair takes place in the old Brigidine Convent from 1pm to 5pm. Mountrath Cottage market is attending with over 30 stalls.
There will also be carol singing, festive food, mulled wine and visit from Santa on the day.
Borris-in-Ossory – Santa Claus Club
Santa will be visiting the PE Hall in Borris-in-Ossory from 3pm to 5pm. There will be a disco, face painting, gifts and surprises on the day.
Graiguecullen – Goose Club
The Goose Club in aid of Graiguecullen Community Games is taking place in St Fiacc’s Hall at 7pm.
Shanahoe – Shanahoe GAA AGM
Shanahoe GAA are holding their AGM in Shanahoe GAA pitch at 6.30pm.
SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER
Ballinakill – Christmas Fair
The Ballinakill annual Christmas fair takes place in the old school community centre from 2pm to 6pm.
Mountmellick – Three Tenors concerts
The Three Tenors are in concert in St Joseph’s church. Special guests include Emer Dunne and Antoinette Dickinson Kaur.
Tickets are available from the parish office and Horan’s shop.
Killenard – Christmas Extravaganza
The 4th Annual Christmas Christmas Extravaganza takes place in the Heritage Hotel, Killenard at 8pm with mulled wine available from reception at 7pm.
Tickets are €10 and this year’s proceeds go to the Amber Well Being Committee, Coláiste Íosagáin.
Lacca – Church Christmas Carol Service
Lacca Church are holding their Christmas Carol Service at 4pm, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
Portarlington – Christmas Carollers
St Michael’s Church are holding their Christmas concert at 4pm.
Vicarstown – Santa Visit
Crean’s Bar and Lounge will welcome Santa Claus at 2pm. Santa has arrived in a variety of different ways to the picturesque village in recent years. How will he do it this year?
Emo – Walking club at Emo Court
Slieve Bloom Walking club are making their way to Em oCourt for a 8 km (two-three hour) walk this Sunday.
Walkers are to meet walk leader Frank Boland at the Entrance Gates of Emo Court at 11am.
Rosenallis – Slieve Bloom Christmas Dinner
The Slieve Bloom Christmas Dinner will take place in Racket Hall, Roscrea at 2pm. Cost is €25 per person.
Errill – Cake Sale
Errill Vision Group are holding a cake sale and raffle in Ray’s Bar, Errill follwoing 10am Mass.
Vicarstown – Goose Club
Vicarstown annual Goose Club will take place in the new community centre at 7.30pm.
SEE ALSO – Charity is at the heart of this Stradbally Christmas fair
The LaoisToday 2017 Annual is now on sale in bookshops and newsagents around the county – this is where you can buy it
