Laois Ireland Hotels - Bed & Breakfast Accommodation - Loais Holiday Homes

Town of Vicarstown

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:55 +0000

Vicarstown is an attractive port on the Grand Canal. It is also a useful base for walking, cycling, boating and fishing. Buildings of attraction include the 1860s Grattan School and Grattan Lodge that were built in 1882 by Henry Grattan’s Grand-daughter Lady Pauline Grattan Bellew.

Town of Rosenallis

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:50 +0000

The origin of this colony goes back to the early Christianity. There was a parochial church during the medieval period. A sheila-na-gig was discovered recently in the graveyard of the Church of Ireland church. Rosenallis grew as a village and it became a Quaker colony and linen centre later like Mountmellick. Less than a mile out of the village on the Mountmellick road is a beautiful “Society of Friends Rosenallis Burial Ground”.

Town of Portlaoise

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:47 +0000

This county town was once called Maryborough. It was fortified during the reign of Philip and Mary as part of a plan to subdue the O’ Mores, the local chiefs, but nothing other than the outer wall of the tower remains today. Golf (18) at ‘The Heath’, tennis is still there. Further, a jazz festival is held at the beginning of June each year.

Town of Mountmellick

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:40 +0000

Mountmellick was founded in the seventeenth century within a curve of the Owenass River. At the outset it was a town of great industry and prosperity dominated by the enterprise of the Quaker community and later served by the Grand Canal. The Mountmellick Development Association which commissioned the conversion of a grain mill into a Business Park/Enterprise Centre for industry wishing to locate in the town exemplifies the towns enterprise. There is a Quaker museum and exhibitons in this pleasing town with a fine square, architecturally impressive houses, shops and ecclesiastical buildings.

Town of Durrow

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:37 +0000

This was initially a Norman borough town, and it was made part of Killkenny later by the Ormonds in the seventeenth century. This town was returned to the county in 1846 by Act of Parliament. A planned estate village, it had been developed under the patronage of the Viscounts Ashbrook. Its finest feature is the suite of buildings surrounding the Green under the gates and beautifully designed modern primary school and the important “castle” (1713-32) one of the last large pre-Palladian houses built in Ireland designed by its owner William Flower.

Laois County Facts

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:33 +0000

Land Area: 1,719 km

County Town: Portlaoise

Code: LS

Population: 58,774 (2002)

Province: Leinster

Pubs in Laois

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:31 +0000

Laois may have the least defined of all county identities. The rich contrast in the landscape makes it easy to spend many an enjoyable hour in this county and good old country pubs are never far away. From the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the woods of Abbeyleix or Durrow, there are many beautiful walks in this midland county. Laois ( Self Catering, Laois, Ireland) has excellent local wildlife-chiefly in the pubs and friendly people who know how to enjoy them.

Grellan Delaney & Sons is a renowned pub on Main Street, Portlaoise. This pub is full of life and friendly inside and is a great step back in time. They do excellent sandwiches, an extensive lunch menu and marvelous creamy pints are available. Friendly staff provide a first class professional service and all requisites are met with efficiency and courtesy. At the Pedigree Corner, there’s a marvelous and special feel about this pub and restaurant. There is an exciting menu and good local trade in this very well laid-out and friendly place. Established in 1898, the place still maintains its strong traditions today. Having spent some time here, you’ll emerge feeling the delights and benefits of the place. Morrisseys, a truly timeless shrine, established in 1775, is located in the beautiful heritage town of Abbeyleix. The history of this pub spans over two centuries and yet remains as significant and admired as any contemporary pub. Winners of the Black & White Leinster and National Heritage Pub of the Year 2004, this is an extremely pleasant and well-managed establishment suitable for all tastes and one can be sure of an interesting and enjoyable time. Pubs like Morrissey’s are a vanishing breed and a rarity in today’s social order. Aficionados of the authentic will love this.

You must visit this fascinating County for its great shrines of Irish pub culture; surely you are bound to enjoy Enchanting Laois (Bed and Breakfasts, Laois, Ireland)!

Town of Ballaghmore

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:23 +0000

The Ballaghmore Castle (1480), the chief seat of the Mac Gillpatricks (Fitzpatricks) Lords of Upper Ossory is strategically placed on the Bealach Mor, the great road to Munster. It was partially restored it in the 1830s. After Ely was murdered by a tenant and the castle was neglected for a long time, it was bought by the present owners in 1990 and renovated. Ballaghmore Castle has many interesting features including a rare monstrous sheila-an-gig on the wall facing front south, and outstanding views from the battlements of the past. Visitors get good guidance during their tour, and are warmly welcome. There is a very small, open to the public throughout the year, and is said to be a converted school house. With very small galleries inside and a sexton’s house at the back, this church is kept beautifully. North of the Ballaghmore Castle on Kyle Hill is stands the legendary Brehon’s Chair.

History of Laois

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:20 +0000

Laois was originally referred to as Queens County by the British. After Ireland gained its independence, Queens county was renamed Laois (pronounced Leesh) after the Loigis, who were the professional Pict soldiers that assisted the Laigin (Welsh aggressors) in their conquest of Leinster.

Laois (Holiday Homes, Laois, Ireland) history of human occupation goes back at least 8,500 years. Christianity was prominant in the 500s AD. Monastic settlements in the area were raided by the Vikings. The Anglo- Normans got hold of the territorys prime grounds in the early 14th century. From the later 14th century to the 16th century, the indigenous Gaelic people regained control under the leadership of the OMore clan. This ended when the British entered Laois and siezed rulership for themselves.

Laois (Self Catering, Laois, Ireland) The uniform limestone floor of the Central Plain is interrupted, on the northern edge of this county, by the high ridge of Slieve Bloom (1733 ft.), formed of sandstones and slates which break through the lime- stone, and in the south-east by lower hills formed of shales, containing coal seams, which lie on the top of the limestone. between the. two uplands, the railway from Dublin to Cork runs straight across the county. This area forms the main gathering-ground of the rivers Barrow and Nore. lakes are almost absent. Maryborough. the assize town, in the middle of the county, is a busy place. Durrow lies to the west, Portarlington, and Mouutmellick to the north, Stradbally to the east, Mountrath, and Rathdowney to the west.

Town of Ballinakill

Alain — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:27:17 +0000

This is a typically seventeenth-century market town while the ruins of Ballinakill Castle represents a late seventeenth-century castle built by the Dunnes (but never inhabited). This castle had been erected on the site of one that was once destroyed by Cormwellian troops under Fairfax. The streets around the large rectangular square was characterised by an eighteenth-century configuration. is marked by Two trees known as Toll Trees marked the town’s entrance from Abbeyleix and a toll had to be paid here by visitors to the town. This town had important carnivals, a brewery, and factories producing wool and tan.