Information on County Laois

County Laois is one of Ireland's 12 inland counties with a population of 53,000. County Laois has borders with counties Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Offaly. Its main urban centre is Portlaoise with other larger towns located at Portarlington, Stradbally, Mountmellick and Mountrath. Much of the county is flat and comprises fertile agricultural soils and peat bogs. The Irish peat industry harvests much of its peat from this county, which feeds electricity generating stations and provides heat for homes throughout the country. In the north-west of the county, the Slieve Bloom Mountains rise to over 1,700 feet forming an impressive landmark and challenge for the keen walker.

County Laois is centrally located and has good access to the capital city Dublin and to the major urban centres and open countryside towards the west coast. It therefore provides a good base for touring much of Ireland. The main tourist attractions and places to visit include The Abbey Leix Carpet Works, The Sensory Gardens, Ballaghmore Castle, Gash Gardens, Ballyfin House, Donaghmore Museum and Emo Court House.

Ballaghmore Castle is a unique and beautiful place. Set in the Irish midlands it is the perfect setting for a relaxing rural break in luxurious and historic surroundings. The beautiful countryside, with its renowned fishing, shooting, riding, hunting, hill walking, mountain climbing and golf offers you many leisure facilities. The castle was built in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain MacGiollaphadraig (now called Fitzpatrick), meaning son of the servant of Patrick, Lords of Upper Ossory. Ballaghmore was partially destroyed by Cromwell's forces in 1647. It was restored in 1836 by a Mr. Ely, who found a hoard of gold on the land. Ely was shot by an angry tenant and never lived in the castle. The castle was then used as a granary and afterwards fell into disuse, until the present owner Gráinne Ní Cormac bought it in 1990 and restored it.

Emo Court was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for the Earls of Portarlington and is a magnificent example of this neo-classical style. During the middle of this century it was owned by the Jesuits, it was then acquired and extensively restored by Mr. Cholmeley-Harrison in the 1960s. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, which were first laid out in the 18th century and contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks with many very fine trees and shrubs. The house and gardens were taken into State ownership in 1994.

Portlaoise town was originally established as the Fort of Maryborough in 1556 under the reign of Queen Mary and many elements of its garrison past are still evident throughout the town. The old jail in Portlaoise town centre has been recently restored to create a multi-purpose arts centre, which regularly hosts a variety of cultural delights.

Just outside Portlaoise lies the Rock of Dunamaise, an ancient Celtic fortification that is reputed to have been mapped by Ptolemy in the 8th century. The view from the summit is spectacular and well worth the climb.

So make sure to visit the towns and villages associated with the Quakers and Huguenots, the heritage town of Abbeyliex and the waterfalls and valleys of the Slieve Bloom mountains. Laois boasts several gardens of note as well as excellent angling, golf and equestrian facilities.