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.
Founded by St. Fintan (d.603), Clonenagh was the most important monastery of ancient Leix. It located on the Slige Dala (road of the assemblies) ensured its importance in early medieval Ireland. O’Mores, descendants of the Loigis kings were the patrons of Clonenagh upto the sixteenth-century, and it was the monastic home of Oengus the Celi De (see Coolbangher). The Book of Leinster or Lebar na Nuachongbala started life here before moving to Oughaval near Stradbally. Today there you will see two graveyards, the ruins of an early church and a penny tree that collapsed recently.