1 – Shock and sadness around Abbeyleix after passing of beloved local figure
A tremendous sense of shock and sadness is reverberating around Abbeyleix and the wider community following the passing of a beloved local figure.
Dorota (Dora) Gabrysiak, originally from Poland, passed away earlier this week.
2 – Well wishes paid as ‘incredibly hard working’ Laois teacher retires after 28 years of service
It was an emotional occasion in St Peter’s Church of Ireland Church in Portlaoise as a long serving teacher retired.
Jayne Breslin was honoured for her services to Maryborough NS at the school’s annual end of year service.
3 – 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 retires as principal of Wolfhill National School this year.
4 – Sadness in Park-Ratheniska at death of Eddie Mansworth
There is sadness in Park-Ratheniska this week at the news of the death of Eddie Mansworth, a hugely popular member of the local GAA club and community.
In his 95th year, he was president of Park-Ratheniska GAA, and up to recent years was a regular warm and welcoming presence on the gate of the club grounds for the many matches hosted there.
5 – Footgolf: Laois father and son complete fairy-tale story with sensational double victory
A Laois father and son combination are celebrating a sensational double-victory in the increasingly popular sport of footgolf.
Mountmellick duo Eamon and Kyle Dunne are well renowned for their exploits with their local soccer club, Mountmellick United, but they have found glory since turning their attention to footgolf.
6 – Laois Abroad: Meet the Portlaoise man who travelled to the far east and made his home in China
The always popular Laois Abroad series returns for the fourth time in 2025 with a Portlaoise man who has made China his home.
Barry Doyle set off travelling through South East Asia in 2011 – initially planning to spend six months.
7 – Calling all bands: Laois woman searching for talent for upcoming fundraiser to support local cancer services
A local woman is putting out the call for bands, singers and musicians who would like to get involved with a new fundraiser for cancer support services in Laois.
Deirdre Connolly from Portarlington is organising a summer fundraiser with a musical twist, with the proceeds going towards the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise.
8 – Another milestone year for Laois woman with most severe form of rare skin disease
Ireland’s longest-surviving person battling the most severe type of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has received over 2,000 birthday messages ahead of her 41st birthday.
Emma Fogarty, from Abbeyleix, is celebrating beating the current life expectancy for recessive dystrophic EB, which is 30-35 years, by yet another year.
9 – Martina Mulhall: A chat with award winning poet, publisher, writer, broadcaster and poetry film maker Pat Boran
In this careers series, Martina Mulhall, Gold Star Careers, speaks with high-profile figures across a range of industries to explore the stories behind their success.
This week we turn our attention to multi-award winning Portlaoise poet, publisher, writer, broadcaster and poetry film maker Pat Boran.
10 – LoveLaois Podcast: Our Leaving Cert columnist Aoife Fitzpatrick reflects on exams and looks to the future
And with that, Leaving Cert 2025 is over. It’s in the past. For the exam students they can take a well-earned collective sigh of relief.
Over the past couple of weeks, Aoife Fitzpatrick from Cullenagh near Ballyroan and a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise has penned a Leaving Cert column for LaoisToday.
