Brought to you in association with Laois Tourism
It’s another busy weekend right across Laois. Festivals and events are in full swing and the good weather is promised to return. The Folly Festival kicks off in Cullahill on Friday, The Ossory Agricultural & Monster Truck show runs Saturday and Sunday in Rathdowney and the Laois Walks Festival continues with more great guided walks. Throw-in family fun days, creative workshops for kids and there really is something on to suit all tastes.
THURSDAY JULY 19
Laois Walks Festival
The month long Laois Walks Festival continues Thursday evening with a guided 14K Grade A walk of Fossey Mountain in Timahoe. Meet at the Goose Green at 7.30. All walks are €2 each or get a festival ticket covering all 27 walks for €25. For more information see here.
Botanical Art Exhibition by Mary Dillon
Stradbally Arthouse is currently displaying a breathtakingly beautiful botanical art exhibition by artist Mary Dillion. The exhibition is on display until the 25th of July so this is the final week for art lovers to appreciate such stunning work in the Arthouse in Stradbally. Free to view, it’s a lovely way to pass an hour or two. For opening times see here.
Laois hurling championship begins
A number of championship matches in the Laois senior, senior ‘A’, intermediate and junior hurling championship begin this weekend. For the full list of fixtures, see here.
FRIDAY JULY 20
Music Generation Opening Gala Concert
Enjoy a wonderful display of traditional music from Music Generation. Featuring the tutors from the Summer School, the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, and the Music Generation Laois Junior Trad Group. An evening not to be missed at the Dunamaise Arts Centre at 8pm. Tickets are just €5.
The Folly Festival
The Folly Festival is a two-day event running this Friday and Saturday July 20 & 21 and is Ireland’s first gender balanced festival. Music and comedy events are running on both evenings in the grounds of Cullahill Castle and some tickets are still available. Daytime activities include an 8.30am walk up Cullahill mountain followed by breakfast. Family fun day with lots of activities on the green and the first annual Irish porridge championships. See here for full details.
Deadline for Scarecrow Entries – Durrow Scarecrow Festival
Friday 20 July marks the closing date for entries into this year’s Durrow Scarecrow festival. Do you have a budding idea that would make a great entry? Enter now before it’s too late. Great prizes available. Find out more here.
SATURDAY JULY 21
Ossory Truck Show Rathdowney
The Ossory Truck Show is the place to go for anyone with any interest trucks. With 15 different entry classes you are sure to see every type of truck imaginable. A fun Saturday evening is planned with a BBQ, bar and live music by Deuce, a Rory Gallaher tribute band, beginning at 9pm. All welcome, entry is €5 with all proceeds going to 2 deserving charities the Downs Syndrome Centre Midlands and Saplings. Additional charges apply for the BBQ. Trucks can be viewed by the public on Sunday. For more information see here.
Puppet Making & Embroidery Workshops
Running as part of the Summer Saturday’s programme run by the Dunamaise Arts Centre, these interactive workshops have something to suit both kids and adults. All run by Paula Dunne and aimed at different age groups. 10-11am there is puppet making for ages 7-9 just €5. At 11.30-1pm there is embroidery for beginners for ages 10-12, also €5. From 2-4pm there is embroidery for beginners for adult at €10. For more information phone 057 866 3355 or visit here.
Laois Walks Festival
Saturday’s walk is a guided 12k Grade A walk of the Ridge Of Capard, Rosenallis. Meet at the Ridge of Capard carpark at 2.30. All walks are €2 each or get a festival ticket covering all 27 walks for €25. For more information visit here.
Irish Porridge Making Championships Cullahill
The Folly Festival will also play host to the first ever annual Irish Porridge Making Championships. This hotly contested title will be fought out over the day with the 2 winners, who will represent Ireland at the European championship, being announced around 4pm. So why not pop out to Cullahill between 11.30 and 4 and see the most creative ways to make the best porridge in Ireland. It will be judged by Rachel Allen, Paddy O’Connell (current reigning champion) and Martyn O’Reilly (world porridge championships judge).
SUNDAY JULY 22
The Ossory Agricultural Show
Celebrating its 120 year the Ossory Agricultural Show is a firm fixture in agricultural circles with over 280 categories of prizes up for the taking spread across cattle, sheep, horses, pony’s, poultry, crafts, eggs, baking, vegetables and flowers. Some of the best cattle in Ireland will be on show. However it’s not all agriculture and it’s very much a family oriented show with something for all ages. Take part in Ossory’s Fittest Family, watch the All Ireland Tug of War Championships, who will win the truck pull or just wonder around all the great stalls and enjoy some good food. Located in the Showgrounds, Coolfin, Rathdowney the show runs from 8am to 5pm. To find out more see here.
Ballinakill Family Fun Day
Lots of fun to be had this Sunday at Ballinakill GAA Grounds with the Annual Family Fun Day. GAA will feature heavily with underage games and inter county hurlers there on the day. Includes face painting, market stalls, bouncy castles, live entertainment, family races, kids games and BBQ. A great day guaranteed adults €5 Children €3 with a max family entry cost of €20 and is running from 12 noon to 6pm.
Castletown Parish Family Fun Day
This is another great community event bringing everyone together for a fun day for all the family. Running from 1pm on the Green. Lots of good music, food, tug of war, craft stalls and much more. This year marks the first raft race on the Nore so come along and enjoy the sunshine and craic
Laois ladies begin their All-Ireland campaign
Laois ladies take on Longford in Clane, Kildare at 1.30pm.
The Rock Family Fun Day
The Rock Family Fun Day is an Annual free entry event for young and old to enjoy. The main event on the day is The Duck Race on the Triogue River at 4pm. Come down to the Rock GAA grounds from 2-6pm for a great day out.
Laois Walks Festival
Today’s walk is a guided 10k Grade A walk of Mountrath, Monciknew Mountain Walk. Meet at Mountrath Cattle Mart at 2.15pm. All walks are €2 each or get a festival ticket covering all 27 walks for €25. For more information visit here.
If you would like to have something included in our What’s On Guide email us on info@laoistoday.ie or call 057 8670722
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Leinster rugby players pay a visit to Portlaoise’s future stars
