1 – Local TD ‘really shocked’ as cost of Laois bus stops/shelters revealed at over €24,000 each
A Laois TD has said he is “really shocked” at recently unveiled figures that reveal the cost of new bus stops/shelters in Portlaoise was over €24,000 each while two new wheelchair accessible bus stops/shelters installed in Mountrath came in at close to €62,000, making them the most expensive in the country.
Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming – who is chairman of the Dáil’s Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery – said that close to €2 million has been spent on 70 bus stop/shelters in Portlaoise and two in Mountrath.
2 – Laois man set to be escort at this year’s Rose of Tralee festival
A well-known Laois man will be among the escorts at this year’s festival after being successful in the application process.
Eoin Delaney from Crettyard is looking forward to the world-renowned festival in August next month, where he’ll be among a group of young men who are there to help the rose contestants throughout the event, which goes on for more than a week.
3 – Martina Mulhall: Laois sporting legend Sue Ramsbottom on her fascinating career in the Irish Defence Forces
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 Laois sporting legend, Sue Ramsbottom, who was inducted into the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Hall of Fame last November.
4 – Shock and sadness following the passing of community man who will be ‘sorely missed in Stradbally’
There is a dark cloud hanging over Stradbally this week following the passing of one of its most popular members.
Liam Kelly, of Woodview in Stradbally, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Wednesday, July 9.
5 – Man in his 20s killed in motorcycle accident in Abbeyleix as Gardaí appeal for witnesses
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Abbeyleix on Tuesday evening.
The single-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle occurred on the N77 at the junction of the Portlaoise Road and Ballyroan Road at approximately 7:50pm.
6 – Brian Stanley: Catherine Connolly is the best person for the Aras if we want a progressive left President
Laois Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley is throwing his weight behind Galway TD Catherine Connolly to run for president and be an agreed left-wing candidate.
Ms Connolly is a former leas Ceann Comhairle, the first woman to hold the position, and is chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the islands.
7 – Rowney defeats Mullins as Strong Link upsets odds on shot to claim Tipperary prize
There was Laois success over at Tipperary Racecourse last week as a horse owned by a Laois man turned over a favourite trained by the best in the country.
Strong Link came up thumps again as it won for the second time in just over a month.
8 – In Pictures: American delegation from Franklin City/Williamson County, Tennessee, enjoy whirlwind trip around Laois
A delegation from Franklin City/Williamson County in Tennessee, USA, were in Laois this week to take in all that the County has to offer.
Franklin City/Williamson County is paired with Laois as part of the ‘Sister Cities’ twinning agreement that commits both parties to work together to explore new and creative opportunities to promote trade, commerce and tourism for their mutual benefit.
9 – Learning a new instrument and having fun – Vicarstown ukulele group strikes a chord
It’s a balmy Thursday night in Vicarstown and the members of the local ukulele group are enthusiastically keeping it country. Next up is Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire.’
The class will be running for two years in November, and meets every Thursday night at 8pm.
10 – More than music – Folly Festival 2025 showcases artisan food from across Laois and beyond
One of the most popular festivals in Laois took place over the weekend as revellers arrived in Cullohill for Folly Festival 2025.
Known as Ireland’s first gender-balanced music festival, the Folly continues to champion diverse talent, family-friendly fun, and a festival experience like no other.
