Brought to you by Laois Tourism
It’s a music weekend all around Laois with a diverse range of music and entertainment on show.
Music Network Ireland brings us the very best in traditional music set in the beautiful St Peters Church.
There is classical music in Emo Court with the Anime Violin Trio playing on Sunday.
Local musicians Robert and James Harvey play in Camross.
And for those who want to bop Laois favourites Smash Hits play Kavanaghs on Friday night and our first Mr & Miss Diversity event takes place in Dunamaise Arts Centre.
There’s book launches, a spoken word event, guided walks and lots more so no chance of being bored this weekend.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13
Friday Night Comedy
Join John Colleary, Michael Downey & Edwin Sammon for an evening of comedy in Kavanagh’s Comedy Club this Friday night. This night is ran in association with Laois Macra and is a fun filled fundraiser. Tickets cost €10 and the gig begins at 9pm. For more information see http://kavanaghsportlaoise.com or Ph: 057 86 21744
Smash Hits
Smash Hits always draws a great crowd and that’s because they are the Ultimate 90s Tribute Act. An amazing night is guaranteed. So come along to Kavanaghs Bar & Venue from 9.30pm. Tickets cost €19. For more information see http://kavanaghsportlaoise.com or Ph: 057 86 21744
Book launch: The Reluctant Immigrant
Bridie Dunne, local historian & writer, launches her seventh book in the MDA, Mountmellick at 7.30pm. It is always a pleasure to celebrate one of our own. Charles Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality, will be a special guest of honour who will formally launch the book.
If The Walls Had Ears
If The Walls Had Ears is a spoken word event curated by award winning broadcaster, Ann Marie Kelly and will take place in the walled garden of The Pantry in Portlaoise. It is a very special evening of spoken word, storytelling, open mic and music. Featuring Eddie Brennan and Ultán Conlon and many more. Tickets are €10 and it begins at 7:30pm. For tickets see www.eventbrite.ie.
Laois Back to School Ball
Kick off the new school year in style with this year’s back to school disco on Friday the 13th Sept. Jason Nolan will be playing all the top tunes which promises to be a great night. Strictly alcohol free disco. The disco is running in the Castle Arms Hotel from 8.30-11.30 and tickets are €15. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/350292932544397/
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Mr & Miss Diversity
Voice of Migrants Ireland invites us all to a free event on 14 September to celebrate our similarities and embrace our uniqueness and crown the very first Mr. & Miss Diversity Laois. This will be a wonderful, colourful night of culture swap, modelling, singing, dancing and a social quiz. This is a free event and it will be held in Dunamaise Arts Centre from 7-9pm. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/Voice-Of-Migrants
Trad Concert
Two of the finest musicians from Laois over the years are brothers Robert and James Harvey – both All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil champions on multiple occasions. You can get to listen to them and other fine musicians as part of a fundraising concert for Lacca Church. The concert will run in Camross Community Hall at 8.30pm and tickets are €10
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is the – Cumber Hill walk. This walk is a Grade A, 10km walk and takes 4 hours. Meeting point is Kinnitty Community Centre at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership (€30 for family). For more information see www.slievebloom.ie.
Wedding Showcase
Come and check out the Midlands Park Hotel, for their Autumn Wedding Showcase. View the newly renovated ballroom, with pp lighting, mood lit ceiling, and fairy lit backdrop. There is no cover charge and it runs from 2-5pm. For more information see https://www.midlandsparkhotel.com or Ph: 057 86 78588
Music Network Event
Music Network presents Tara Breen, Laoise Kelly, and Josephine March & Nell Ní Chróinín. Four of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians join forces for a performance that layers Laoise Kelly’s exuberant harp playing with a gorgeous exchange of melodies between Josephine Marsh’s accordion and Tara Breen’s fiddle, all topped-off by Nell Ní Chróinín’s crystal-clear singing voice. This event is hosted by the Arts Office Laois County Council and Music Generation Laois and will be held in the atmospheric setting of St. Peter’s Church of Ireland. Tickets are €15/€12 and the concert begins at 7pm. For tickets see dunamaise.ie or Ph: 058 86 63355.
Challenge 21 2019
Walk, jog or run around Togher Woods in aid of Down Syndrome Centre Midlands. Walk or run 1-5k or challenge yourself to 21k. There will also be a kids’ race on the day. Walker/Runner: €21 Child: €10 Family (2 adults & 2 children): €55 Runners: 9am Walkers (21k): 11am Walkers (1-5k): 1:30pm Kids’ Race: 3pm. To register see https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/challenge-21-2019-midlands-event-tickets-64721221917
Anime Violin Trio
The Anime Violin Trio was established in 2018 with the support of SOKOJ, the Organization of Music Authors of Serbia. The project includes the promotion of Serbian and Irish art music for solo violin and the unusual chamber grouping of violin trio. The event will be held in Emo Court and tickets are adult: €15 family (4): €50 and runs from 7:30pm-9:30pm. To book see https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/anime-violin-trio-featuring-duscica-mladenovic-mina-dekic-marina-popovic-tickets-65025625396
Giving Light & Hope Walk
The 6K walk will take place on Sunday 15th September at 12pm in the beautiful scenic village of Castletown, Co Laois. This is a great opportunity to get together with family and friends to ‘walk and talk. Entry is €10. For more information call Martina 087-9426102
Fruitlawn Gardens Open Day & Rare Plant Sale
Fruitlawn Garden is situated about 2 miles outside the heritage town of Abbeyleix. It is a private garden, designed by Arthur Shackleton. It has evolved over the past 20 years into a very special place to visit. There is also a wonderful selection of plants for sale. Entry is €5 and children are free. The garden is open from 10am -5pm and Refreshments will be available. For more information see arthurshackleton.com/ 057 8730146/ 0872318287.
Laois Heritage App
Out and about Laois and want to know more about the local sites? Download the Laois Heritage App on the Google Play Store or Apple IStore. It covers 14 different sites around the county with a brief audio guide on each. The Laois Garden trail can also be found on this app.
SEE ALSO – New Laois senior football manager revealed
