John Whelan
John Whelan has been a journalist, commentator, columnist, political analyst, campaigner, politician and publisher ever since he was 17. Having been Editor of the Leinster Express, Offaly Express and the Leinster Leader he has also contributed extensively on a number of issues to all of the country's flagship titles and programmes including the Irish Press, The Irish Independent, the Star, the Sunday Independent, the Sunday Business Post, The Sunday Times and Prime Time. He is founder of Communicate Ireland a PR, public affairs, event management and media services company.
He is the author of the popular camping blog, Vanhalla - Camper Heaven.
Laois-Offaly a totally different kettle of fish in 2020
General Election 2020 in Laois-Offaly is a whole new ball game and like no general election ever held before in this constituency.
It is certainly...
Calls to protect access to complementary treatments from new legislation
Calls have been made to protect complementary and alternative medicines and treatments and their practitioners from the possible impact of proposed new legislation.
Proponents of...
Despite climb-down Minister Flanagan still determined to honour RIC
Despite an embarrassing climb-down by the Government last night when they were forced into a humiliating U-turn over their plans to stage an event...
Minister Flanagan sensationally cancels RIC commemoration
In a bid to curb mounting public outrage and outcry Minister Charlie Flanagan has sensationally announced that the planned RIC commemoration event has been...
Sinn Féin lambast Minister Flanagan on RIC event and call for boycott
Sinn Féin forces in Laois have lined up to blast local Minister Charlie Flanagan for his role in organising an official State event to...
Bizarre Laois-Offaly twist in RIC event saga as Taoiseach will not attend
Unless he can master the art of bi-location the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar himself will not be in attendance at the controversial centenary commemorations for...
Fianna Fáil never agreed to RIC event amid mounting tensions says Fleming
Fianna Fáil never agreed to next week’s event to commemorate the RIC insists Laois-Offaly TD, Seán Fleming who says “Fine Gael have gone off...
John Whelan: Local elections 2019 an interesting appetiser for general election 2020 main course
In an age of political flux, 2020 as it approaches, is highly unusual with the degree of certainty it already offers.
The political demon that...
Concerns prevail over Electric Picnic 2020 crowds and controls
Tickets for the Electric Picnic 2020 are completely sold out but lingering doubts and concerns continue to prevail over the increased crowds and safety...
Laois man was renowned and highly regarded in sporting circles
John Fitzpatrick from Meelick who has died in his 86th year was renowned and highly regarded in sporting circles.
John joined the ESB as a...
New lease of life on the cards for Laois waterways
Hot on the heels of the news of investment and development plans for the River Barrow Blueway through Laois and Kildare, similar proposals are...
Support for farmers but claims that Minister thinks ‘milk comes from a bottle’ in...
Farmers protesting over poor prices for their produce from the factories and supermarkets have got more moral support in Laois this week.
A motion before...
Sheep kills ‘no laughing matter’ dog owners warned
With the 2020 lambing season just around the corner, dog owners have been warned to keep their dogs under control.
Graphic and gory accounts of...
A brill Laois market with sole to remain at new location
Pardon the fishy pun, but I just couldn’t resist. ‘Tis the season to be jolly after all.
In more good news the popular Farmer’s Market...
Sympathy for Laois Parish Priest on the death of his mother
Expressions of sympathy and condolences have been extended to a Laois Parish Priest on the death of his mother.
The Parish Priest of Portarlington, Very...
Deep sadness as stylish boutique owner who brought flair, panache and generosity passes away
Monica Muldowney, who has died, was an astute businesswoman whose boutique was one of the original retail outlets in Lyster Square in Portlaoise.
A highly...
Traffic Wardens ‘only doing their job’ meeting told
Laois traffic wardens are merely ‘doing their job’ on behalf of the County Council in accordance with the local traffic bye-laws and in the...
Minister Flanagan furious over St Mary’s sports hall debacle
Minister Charlie Flanagan has reacted angrily and expressed his dismay at the abject failure by Laois County Council to take up a Government grant...
Laois man fondly remembered as a teacher, performer and footballer
The death has taken place of Richard Booth of Killeen, Mountmellick.
Popularly and affectionately known as ‘Blondie’ Richard he was a retired Deputy Principal of...
50 years on and it all adds up for Laois Credit Union
This year’s annual general meeting of the People First Credit Union is an especially important and significant one as it marks the 50th anniversary...
Laois Sports Hall fiasco – no application was ever made
Ambitious plans and high hopes for a new modern, purpose-built, state-of-the-art indoor sports facility for Laois have come unstuck.
Local public representatives in Portlaoise did...
In Pictures: The Laois School Christmas Concert that really Rocks
‘Tis the season to be jolly and you couldn’t get a more joyous, fun or entertaining an occasion than The Rock National School Christmas...
Blockbuster show is a silver lining for Laois gallerist
In musical terms it is the equivalent of a greatest hits album; in sporting parlance it would be a testimonial to mark such a...
Laois street leagues are streets ahead and success is a different goal
Mens sana in corpore sano is the old Latin saying but its basic message is a simple truth that has stood the test of...
John Whelan: Fine Gael now at the mercy of Murphy’s Law
Murphy’s Law states that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Add in to that mix Verona Murphy, Eoghan Murphy and Dara Murphy and...
Calls for parental alienation to be categorised as a form of abuse
It is not the kind of topic that you see raised at Council meetings every day, but the complex and corrosive issue of parental...
Green light for new homes but only after divisive vote
It took a divisive vote to clear the way for six new houses planned for Mountmellick.
While the vote itself was divisive it was also...
Former Town Commissioner and one of county’s oldest citizens both pass away
The deaths have taken place of one of the county’s most senior citizens in his 102nd year and also of a former Mountmellick Town...
In Pictures: Behind every great painting is a good story
For the third year in succession the Gemma Guihan pre-Christmas exhibition has proved a winner and once again a full house and a sell-out...
‘All we want for Christmas is assurances on our hospital’
“All we want for Christmas are assurances on our hospital and our A&E, that would be the best Christmas present ever for the people...