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.
Tributes pour in for Laois seanchaí and champion of the Slieve Blooms
Tributes continue to pour in from all over the county for the late Mick Dowling. He was 82.
The much respected Camross man was founder...
Clonaslee College in rude health and shaping up for the future
There is hardly a school in the county that enjoys a more idyllic setting than Clonaslee College, as it is nestled into the foothills...
Sell-out crowd for Slieve Bloom Sean Nós launch at the Deadmans
There were powerful ballads, skips of tunes, rakes of pints, mighty craic and a sell-out crowd in the Deadman’s on Sunday night.
It seemed like...
8 year boil notice has Laois residents boiling mad
A boil notice for a day is a nuisance; for a week, well that’s a bother; for a year, you’d say ‘you’ve got to...
Claims of threats for highlighting anti-social behaviour
The vexed issue of anti-social behaviour in housing estates and unruly threatening behaviour from those responsible continues to preoccupy the authorities.
Albeit with some reluctance...
Laois Climate Change report warmly received, but …
There has been a warm welcome at the County Council for the adoption of the Laois Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
However, there were shades of...
NPA refuse to contribute to cost of road works for the Ploughing
A meeting of Laois County Council has heard that the local authority had to plough almost €200k of its own funds into road works...
House repairs are carried out by the book but rules may change
The difficulty in getting small jobs and minor house repairs carried out for local authority tenants in Laois Council houses is the latest bugbear...
Electric Picnic told get its house in order for 2020
The organisers of the Electric Picnic have been sent an unambiguous message to clean up their act and to address safety concerns before next...
Child dental and mental health services in Laois in disarray
Not for the first time Laois elected representatives this week once again trained their sights on the Health Minister, Simon Harris as they highlighted...
200,000 medical card cuts ‘the meanest of all’
“We all second that,” affirmed the Chairman, Cllr Willie Aird this week as he led unanimous support for his Council colleague Noel Tuohy’s call...
Homeless Laois children forced to commute to school from Offaly
Homeless Laois children are being forced to commute to school from County Offaly as there is no emergency accommodation to house them closer to...
The best place in Ireland to spot butterflies is…
The best place in Ireland to spot butterflies is… Laois!
And that’s official, not just hearsay.
For the second year in succession Laois has won the...
News Diary: New roof for Rathdowney library, flooding in Borris and Mountmellick and safer...
The important facility that is Rathdowney library is in line for a new roof.
Local councillor, John King enquired at this week’s meeting of the...
Mixed feelings but Farmer’s Market is growing in popularity
The increasingly popular Farmer’s Market in Portlaoise looks like it’s about to move permanently to its new location.
While there are mixed feelings on the...
Road safety issues across the county warrant attention
A plethora of road safety issues in various parts of the county have been aired at this week’s meeting of the Borris-Mountmellick municipal district.
The...
Fascinating stories shared from personal testimonies at The Pantry
Funded by Creative Ireland, Laois and curated by award winning broadcaster Ann Marie Kelly ‘If the walls had ears’ was set in the walled...
Horror stories emerging from Laois housing estates
The horrendous incidents from some Laois housing estates revealed this week are so shocking as to seem improbable, implausible, and impossible even.
Unfortunately, they are...
Residents left in limbo as bridge in Portlaoise is abruptly closed
There were cross words and crossed wires as it was revealed that an old bridge across the River Triogue in Portlaoise has been abruptly...
Slieve Bloom Sean Nós launch all set for the Deadman’s
If Paddy Fitzpatrick was from Connemara, Clare or West Cork he would be a folk hero.
But he will not remain an unsung hero for...
New Director arrives in Laois as Michael Rainey departs
There was good news and bad news to greet Portlaoise councillors at their municipal meeting this week.
They were all smiles and delighted to be...
Dead slow progress on Laois cemetery works of grave concern
The painfully slow progress on long promised works on cemeteries across Laois continues to cause concern.
The frustration of councillors over the issue started to...
Need for loo and facilities in Laois villages highlighted
The need for improvement on some basic services and facilities in small Laois rural communities has been highlighted this week.
Councillors from the Borris-Mountmellick municipal...
In Pictures: A great buzz about this Laois art exhibition
There was a great buzz of excitement, anticipation and energy at the official opening of a new exhibition in the Laois Arthouse Gallery in...
Hello Laois! 5 ways we can make much more of the Electric Picnic
The Irish Derby takes place each summer on the Curragh.
Over one mile and four furlongs it takes less than 3 minutes to complete. It’s...
Noel Coss first and foremost a family man of devout faith
St. Joseph’s in Mountmellick was packed to standing room only all the way out into the church yard.
They had come from near and far...
Musicians sing the praises of popular Portlaoise drummer following sad passing
The family of a popular Portlaoise man have been joined by musicians all over the Town and across the county in mourning the passing...
Laois in the front-line of Climate Strike this Friday
Laois will play its part in this Friday’s Climate Strike day of action.
While there are events planned worldwide and in all of Ireland’s major...
Latest Laois exhibition is wild at heart but good natured
The Laois Arthouse Gallery in Stradbally, is the venue for an exhibition by Kildare based artist Cathy Whelan who specialises in ceramic artwork. The...
Weekend Read: The Electric Picnic is great … but it needs to clean up...
So the Electric Picnic has sold out again in record time. Early-bird, loyalty, family camping, campervan tickets all gone, and once they’re gone they’re...