History of Laois
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.
native Irish remained a constant threat until the sixteenth century when, along with the neighbouring Offaly, Laois (Hotels, Laois, Ireland) was annexed to the English crown under Queen Mary and renamed “Queen’s county”. In case the Irish still hadn’t got the point, the principal town was also renamed Maryborough. The county was re-titled Laois (Bed and Breakfasts, Laois, Ireland) after Independence in 1922, and Maryborough became Portlaoise. The town is best known to most Irish people today as the home of the country’s only high-security prison.