1 – Pharmaceutical company buys Portlaoise land for €1.4 million
Laois County Council are to sell a nine-acre site in their Junction 17 enterprise park in Portlaoise to a pharmaceutical company for €1.4 million.
BNL Sciences Ltd, who are based in Naas and part of the wider Caldic company, are set to buy a 3.71 hectare (just over nine acres) after the proposed sale got unanimous backing from the members of Laois County Council today.
2 – Did you know there was once a Pope from Laois?
Yes, believe it or not, the village of Durrow has a special claim to the papacy.
The passing of Pope Francis last week has put the position of leader of the Catholic Church firmly under the spotlight, and it seems there is an enormous Laois connection.
3 – Sadness following the passing of fondly remembered and popular Laois barman
There is sadness in Portlaoise and the surrounding areas this week following the passing of a popular barman.
Pat Tynan, of Borris Little, Portlaoise, passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 28.
4 – Martina Mulhall: A chat with Ross Munnelly on his achievements on the pitch and in the world of academia
This week, Martina kickied off a new Q and A careers special with an in-depth interview with Laois football star Ross Munnelly, looking at his achievements on the football field and in the world of academia.
The legendary footballer credits the late great Mick O’Dwyer as a major positive influence in his life.
5 – LoveLaois Podcast: New Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins – electrician, farmer, dancer and now looking forward to Tralee
Katelyn Cummins from Ballyouskil became the newest Laois Rose last weekwhen she was crowned at the selection night in the Midlands Park Hotel.
Held just every two years now, she takes over from Sinead Dowd from Cullohill who was the 2023 winner.
6 – In Pictures: Magical scenes as Laois Ladies celebrate Leinster Minor ‘B’ success
There were scenes of jubilation in Baltinglass last Saturday as the Laois minor ladies claimed Leinster ‘B’ glory.
Adrian Slevin’s charges ran out winners following a classic encounter with Wexford.
7 – In Pictures: Laois woman among 50 Gaels who took part in coast-to-coast ‘Swim for Palestine’
Portlaoise woman Sinéad Ní Chuinn was among 50 Irish-language speakers who braved the cold waters of Ireland’s coastline in a powerful display of solidarity over the weekend.
The campaign, Snámh don Phalaistín (Swim for Palestine), saw swimmers take a plunge in all 17 coastal counties of Ireland, highlighting the solidarity of the Irish-language community with the Palestinian people during a time of crisis.
8 – In Pictures: Stradbally Parish Gaels bring dinner dance season to a close with celebration of U-20 success
There was serious style on show as members of Stradbally, Timahoe and Annanough gathered for a dinner dance last week.
The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel was the venue for what is the final dinner dance from the 2024 season.
9 – The full list of properties sold in Laois during March as house prices continue to rise year-on-year
There were 82 residential properties sold in Laois during March according to the Property Price Register, an increase of 6.5% on the 2024 figure.
The property market saw a massive bounce of 42% in February which brought an end to a five-month period of decline; the 6.5% increase in March is a far more stable increase at a time when the housing shorting is becoming an ever-growing problem across the country.
10 – ‘Magnificent modern’ property in Laois, described as ‘paradise’ for equestrian enthusiasts, sells for €700,000
A property in Laois has sold for €700,000 recently, making it the second-most expensive property sold in the county so far this year, leapfrogging a €695,000 property that was sold in March.
Set on approximately 33 acres, the four-bedroom home is located in the south of the county in Tirernan, Ballickmoyler.
