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.
Laois student wins top award in the country for engineering project
Mikolaj Bielecki, a Portlaoise College student, has earned national recognition after winning the ‘Young Engineer of the Year’ award from the Engineering Technology Teachers'...
Laois punk folk band win Production Music Award at ceremony in London
Laois punk folk band The Outcast Crew, together with producer Elliot Daniels, have earned a major accolade at this year’s Production Music Awards held...
In Pictures: ‘My Severe Weather Ready Guide’ successfully launched
Severe weather has the ability to disrupt our daily lives in all sorts of ways such as loss of power as well as damage...
Electric Picnic announce first acts ahead of sold out 2026 festival
Electric Picnic have announced their first acts ahead of the sold out 2026 festival.
On Saturday, Gorillaz have been announced for the top slot. While...
In Pictures: Serious style as Laois GAA stars celebrate at annual awards night
There was serious style on display as the 2025 Laois GAA Award winners assembled to collect their trophies on Friday night.
The Midlands Park Hotel...
Great excitement as Poet’s Cottage officially opens in Camross
There was great excitement in Camross on Friday as the newly renovated and fully operational Poet's Cottage Cafe was officially opened.
Situated in the heart...
In Pictures: New sports facilities unveiled at Laois primary school
The staff and children of Scoil Mhuire Fatima, Timahoe were in celebratory mood on Friday last as they held an official opening for their...
Laois U-20 FC Final: Two in a row for Stradbally Parish Gaels as they...
All our Laois GAA club championship coverage is brought to you in association with Mulhall’s SuperValu, Portlaoise
Stradbally Parish Gaels 2-14 Killeshin 0-8
Laois U-20 FC...
In Pictures: Mountrath CS students enjoy ‘Play in a Day’ and perform at local...
It has been a busy couple of weeks in Mountrath Community School with students taking part in two worthwhile activities.
Second year class 2C took...
In Pictures: Laois singer completes first US tour making great Laois connections on her...
Laois Irish folk singer, Emer Dunne, has returned home after completing her first US Tour across the East Coast of the United States.
This is...
South Leinster Colleges SFC ‘B’: Home semi final confirmed as Portlaoise CBS defeat Bunclody
Portlaoise CBS 2-13 Bunclody 0-8
South Leinster Colleges SFC 'B' Round 3
Portlaoise CBS made it three-from-three in their group as they defeated FCJ Bunclody to...
Laois students among 139 to celebrate graduation from College Carlow St Patrick’s
Carlow College St Patrick’s saw 139 students graduate at its annual Conferring Ceremony, held on recently in Carlow Cathedral.
The event marked a proud moment...
Supporting the county’s older residents with Laois Services to Elderly People
The Laois Services to Elderly People (LSTEP) programme promotes independent living for older people in Laois, empowering them to enjoy the best quality of...
‘Chronic shortage’ of special education places in Laois secondary schools causing stress and worry
The situation surrounding special education spaces in Laois secondary schools has been laid bare at a meeting this week.
The issue was brought forward by...
Laois clubs to benefit as Midlands League launches plans for €5 million soccer complex
Plans to build a state of the art facility that will benefit children in Laois have been lodged with Offaly County Council.
The Midlands League,...
Farming families should be able to build on their own land ‘without unnecessary planning...
A Laois TD has called for planning rules to be reformed to make it easier for farming families to build homes and lives on...
Laois Councillors want Abbeyleix to be considered to host Irish Famine Commemoration Day
Laois County Council is to call on the Minister for Tourism to consider Abbeyleix as one of the host venues for Irish Famine Commemoration...
Ballyroan man completes Malin to Mizen in vintage Mercedes tractor and raises €20,000 for...
Local farmer and lifelong vintage enthusiast Charley O’Connor from Ballyroan, has completed the Malin to Mizen route in his vintage Mercedes MB tractor.
And he...
Laois Councillors seek review as Ireland chooses not to recognise ‘long Covid’ as an...
Laois County Council is to write to the Minister for Health after Ireland opted not to recognise 'long Covid' as an occupational illness.
The matter...
Meet the incredibly talented multi-sport Laois 12-year-old who is representing Ireland in badminton
A young Laois boy is making serious waves in the world of badminton where he is representing Ireland.
12-year-old Daire O'Sullivan, who hails from Crettyard,...
Call made for three medically supervised detoxification beds to be established in Portlaoise Hospital
Laois County Council has called on the Minister for Health to establish detoxification beds in Portlaoise Hospital.
This call comes following a motion that was...
Portlaoise Active Retirement Group visits South East Technological University for volunteer workshop
Representatives from the Portlaoise Active Retirement Group visited South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow on Tuesday to attend a specially organised volunteer workshop.
The...
Deaths in Laois – Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
Kathleen Evans (née Murphy)
Portlaoise, Laois
Kathleen Evans (nee Murphy) Late of Blackburn , England and formerly...
LoveLaois Podcast: Meet the young Laois man whose political activism saw him invited to...
This week's LoveLaois Podcast focuses on a young Laois man whose political activism saw him score an invite to the inauguration of President Catherine...
Heywood Community School come out on top at ‘Battle of Wits’ county final
Heywood TY students recently fought a tough battle against other secondary schools to secure the title of 'Battle of Wits' 2025 in Laois.
They will...
Atheltics: All-Ireland glory and European qualification for Laois athletics at National Cross County Championships
It was a hugely successful Sunday for a host of Laois athletes who braved extremely difficult conditions at the National Cross Country Championships in...
Previews: Clough-Ballacolla bid for Leinster final place while one Laois U-20 HC semi final...
All our Laois GAA club championship coverage is brought to you in association with Mulhall’s SuperValu, Portlaoise
Leinster Club SHC – Ballyhale Shamrocks v Clough-Ballacolla
In...
Leinster Colleges SFC: Captain fantastic Byrne leads Knockbeg College to big win over Tullamore
Knockbeg College 6-17 Colaiste Choilm Tullamore 0-8
Leinster Colleges SFC Round 3
Knockbeg College maintained their 100% record in the Leinster Colleges SFC following a big...
‘If I send staff out to dredge a river in the morning, the Council...
Laois County Councillors have been told that the laws of the land are preventing Councils from removing silt from rivers.
The recent spell of heavy...
Laois Hospice presents new syringe pumps to support Palliative Care in the community
Laois Hospice Foundation has announced the presentation of new syringe pumps to the Laois Palliative Care Team.
This equipment will be used in the community...