Alan Hartnett
Stradbally native Alan Hartnett is a graduate of Knockbeg College who has worked in the local and national media since 2008. Alan has a BA in Economics, Politics and Law and an MA in Journalism from DCU. His happiest moment was when Jody Dillon scored THAT goal in the Laois senior football final in 2016.
Anger as council forced to pay for removal of Eir pole in Portarlington
Council meetings by their nature can be tetchy affairs - and the issue of a pole in Portarlington was the latest cause of frustration...
Renewed calls for Columbarium Wall and crematorium as Councillors estimate Portlaoise Cemetery could run...
There have been renewed calls for the construction of a Columbarium Wall and crematorium in Portlaoise.
This comes after Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald put down a...
In Pictures: Range of topics challenged as Intel Mini Scientist competition returns to Laois...
After a year out due to Covid-19, the Intel Mini Scientist was back with a bang this year at Timahoe NS.
'The Air We Breathe’...
Local Green Party Minister asks farmers to consider their artificial fertiliser use
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett, has called on livestock farmers to consider trying out new...
Call made to turn former Laois famine workhouse into IT training hub
A Laois County Councillor has called for the Donaghmore Workhouse to be turned into an IT training hub.
Cllr John King put down the motion...
Loss of Community Welfare Office in Laois town described as ‘a disgrace’
The loss of the Community Welfare Office in Mountmellick has been described as 'a disgrace' by a Laois County Councillor.
Fianna Fail's Paddy Bracken brought...
Laois Ladies Senior football championship final to be held in O’Moore Park
The final of the Laois Ladies Senior football championship will once again be played in O'Moore Park.
For the majority of the last few years,...
Talking Sport Podcast: Mighty Emo, wayward predictions, departing chairman and Proposal B
It's not often we get Tuesday night football in Laois and given Emo's surprise win over Graiguecullen in the delayed championship quarter-final we've produced...
Laois GAA clubs set to come together for second ever ‘Pumpkin Patch’ event
This October Bank Holiday weekend, Clonad juvenile club and CRG camogie are combining to run their second Pumpkin Patch event at the GAA grounds...
Deaths in Laois – Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
Ronnie O'Reilley
Mullaghanard, Rosenallis, Laois/Mountmellick, Laois
Ronnie died peacefully at the Regional Hospital Tullamore. Retired Staff Irish...
Government confirm details for Covid-19 restriction changes from October 22
The government has confirmed the changes that will take place in regards to Covid-19 restrictions from Friday October 22.
Firstly, the government will immediately begin...
Funding to be sought to construct new footpath near popular walking spot in Laois...
Laois County Council is to seek funding to construct a footpath near a popular walking spot in a Laois town.
Sinn Fein Councillor Aidan Mullins...
Solution found for Laois school to tackle major infrastructural problems
Abbeyleix Scoil Mhuire’s primary school building has been approved for a complete overhaul and retrofit.
This work will solve the problems of the leaking roof,...
‘I’d prefer if you’d mind your own business’ – Laois Councillors clash as saga...
Laois Councillors Aisling Moran and Paschal McEvoy clashed once again over a housing development that is set to take place in Stradbally.
At September's meeting...
Calls for HGVs to be encouraged to use new road in Portlaoise to take...
A Laois County Councillor has called for HGVs to be encouraged to use a new road that will take them away from encountering school...
Deaths in Laois – Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
Bernie Casey (née Maher)
Portlaoise, Laois/Robertstown, Kildare
Casey (nee Maher), Bernie, Portlaoise, Co. Laois and late of...
Bench power the difference as Portlaoise see off O’Dempsey’s in extra time
O'Dempsey's 1-12 Portlaoise 1-15 AET
Laois SFC Quarter-final
The strength of Portlaoise's bench was the difference as they came from behind to defeat O'Dempsey's in extra...
Second half surge does the trick for Ballyroan-Abbey to reach first SFC semi final...
Ballyroan-Abbey 3-11 Courtwood 1-10
Laois SFC Quarter-final
A strong second half performance saw Ballyroan-Abbey turn a half time deficit into a win to reach the SFC...
LIVE BLOG: Follow all of the action from Sunday Senior football quarter finals
We're back in O'Moore Park once again this Sunday for another double header of football championship action.
After Portarlington's win last night, two more teams...
Laois man the winner of first Irish Community Air Ambulance and Embrace FARM Family...
A Laois man was named the winner of the first Irish Community Air Ambulance and Embrace FARM Family Draw.
Ciaran Fingleton from Ratheniska scooped the...
Laois woman pens book on mental health battle and how she overcame her suffering
They say that everyone has a story to tell - and it has taken one Portlaoise woman 33 years to document her mental health...
Laois TD and Councillor call for ‘action to be taken on Grand Canal’
Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley and Cllr Aidan Mullins are calling on Waterways Ireland to carry out works essential works on the River Barrow.
Water...
Walsh the hero as Ballylinan strike in injury time to save themselves and relegate...
Ballylinan 2-14 The Heath 1-16
Laois SFC Relegation Final
Ballylinan are a Senior team for another year after Gary Walsh struck in the final second of...
LIVE BLOG: Follow all of the action from the Laois SFC Relegation Final between...
One of the most important games of the season takes place this evening in O'Moore Park with the meeting of Ballylinan and The Heath...
Laois vintage club set for first ever memorial run for much loved late member
The first ever Martin Bergin Memorial Run will be held by Camross Vintage Club October 24.
Mr Bergin, a Camross native and founding member of...
Effigy of British soldier that was erected in Laois park moved to Carlow Museum
The effigy of Robert Hartpole, which was erected in the People's Park in Portarlington, was removed this week and relocated to Carlow Museum where...
Survival on the line as Ballylinan and The Heath clash in SFC relegation playoff
Ballylinan v The Heath
Laois SFC Relegation Final – In O'Moore Park at 7.30pm
It is yet another final that nobody wants to be in –...
Laois TD blasts Budget 2022 as only for ‘landlords, developers and speculators’
Laois TD Brian Stanley has blasted Budget 2022 as being only good for 'landlords, developers and speculators'.
The Sinn Fein Deputy said that people wanted...
Local 32-acre farm sells for €300,000 at auction
A 32-acre farm in Geashill between Portarlington and Tullamore sold for €300,000 - or €9,400 per acre - at auction this week.
The vendors were...
A chance encounter with ‘Rainbow People’ the inspiration for Laois author’s first ever children’s...
A chance encounter with Rainbow People almost 30 years ago is the inspiration for a new book for children.
‘The Last Beekeeper’ by Johnny Renko,...