County Laois is in the midlands of
Ireland forming part of the province of Leinster. In both size and
population, Laois features in the smallest ten counties. The county
is landlocked and, uniquely amongst Irish counties, it does not
border any other counties which have a sea coast. It is therefore
considered to be "the most landlocked county in Ireland". The area
now known as Laois (pronounced "Leesh") was originally inhabited by
the O'Mordha Clan (later known as O'More and then Moore). In ancient
times the O’More tribe-name of Ui Laoighis (Pronounced Leesh) was
applied to their territory, and that it is derived from a famous
Ulster ancestor named Lughaidh Laeighseach (Lewy Leesagh), son of
Laeighseach Canvore, son of the renowned Conall Cearnach, chief of
the Red Branch Knights of Ulster in the first century.
Holiday Home Laois
History
The county itself was created in 1556 by Mary I of England as
Queen's County, Laois received its present Irish language name
following the Irish War of Independence. Portlaoise (previously
Maryborough) is the county town. Laois was the subject of two
Plantations or colonizations by English settlers. The first occurred
in 1556, when the Earl of Sussex dispossessed the O'More clan from
the area and attempted to replace them with English settlers.
However, this only led to a long drawn out guerilla war in the
county and left a small English community clustered around
garrisons. There was a more successful plantation in the county in
17th century, which expanded the existing English settlement with
more landowners and tenants from England. Neither plantation was
fully successful due to a lack of tenants and because of continuous
raids and attacks by the O'Mores. Finally, the county became home to
a community of French Huguenots in the 1690s, who were settled in
Ireland after their service to William of Orange in the Williamite
war in Ireland. In addition to this, large numbers of Quakers
settled in Mountmellick and developed the area. The population of
County Laois is expanding rapidly, given its easy commute to Dublin
and affordable housing in pleasant surroundings. In the 2006 census
the population had increased by 14% to 67,000 people. The county is
landlocked and, uniquely amongst Irish counties it does not border
any other counties with a sea coast. It is therefore considered to
be "the most landlocked county in Ireland"
Portlaois
The town has experienced enormous growth in recreational options
over recent years. Though options are still somewhat small
considering its size and location, Portlaoise now boasts the modern
Dunamaise Theatre and Centre for the Arts. This facility contains a
purpose-built theatre, exhibition space, and cafe. The Colisseum
Cinema on Bull Lane was replaced in recent years by the five-screen
Storm Cinema, which shows many of the most recent blockbuster
movies. The town also offers sporting and recreational facilities.
The new Town Park on the Timahoe Road features a children's play
area, a man-made lake by the River Triogue, and is a wildlife and
nature reserve. O'Moore Park is the county headquarters of the GAA
and hosts hurling and Gaelic football events. A newly renovated
swimming pool and sports centre opened in the town in 2007, offering
numerous family friendly facilities. The town and its hinterland
also boasts a number of golf courses, ideal for enthusiasts of the
sport.
Holiday Rentals Laois, Ireland
Portarlington
Portarlington is the second largest town in the county of Laois in
the province of Leinster in the Republic of Ireland. It's locally
known as Port. This can lead to confusion among some people who
might regard Portlaoise as Port but Portarlington has been here a
lot longer and therefore has a greater claim to the name. The town
is split in 2, most of the shops, houses and pubs are in Laois. The
schools and one pub are over the river in Offaly. Claims to fame are
some of the film "Into the West" was filmed there. The part of the
film with the horse eating the popcorn in the cinema was filmed in
the local Savoy which is now closed.
Aghaboe Abbey
Aghaboe Abbey was founded by St Canice in 576. About two hundred
years later it was plundered by Norsemen and a further church was
built. Over the centuries many attacks and fires resulted in having
to rebuild the Abbey. In 1382 Finghin Fitzpatrick granted the
monastery buildings to the Dominican Order who remained in Aghaboe
for four centuries despite their suppression in 1540. Restoration
work was carried out on the ruins of Monastery in the 1980s.
Ballaghmore Castle
Ballaghmore Castle is a unique and beautiful place. Set in the Irish
midlands in Co. Laois, it is the perfect setting for a relaxing
rural break in luxurious and historic surroundings next to a 16th
Century manor guest house. Situated in beautiful countryside, with
its renowned fishing, shooting, riding, hill walking, mountain
climbing and golf. Set in 30 acres - Ballaghmore Castle provides
privacy and peace. Situated between Roscrea and Borris-in-Ossory,
Ballaghmore Castle was built in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain Mac
Giollaphadraig (now called Fitzpatrick), meaning son of the servant
of Patrick. A Sheela-na-Gig carved in stone is on the front facing
wall, a pagan fertility symbol to ward off evil.
Rock Of Dunamase
The remains of a Celtic fortification holding a strong position
overlooking the valley of the O'Moores. It was an important fortress
before the Normans, it was granted to Strongbow in 1170 by Diarmait
Mac Murchada as part of his daughter Aoife's dowry, and became the
Normans' most important fortification. In the fourteenth century it
was burned at least twice by the Irish. In 1609 the castle was
granted to Donat O'Brien, Earl of Thomond. In 1795 Sir John Parnell
attempted to make it a residence by erecting banqueting halls and
other buildings and planting trees, but when he died these fell into
decay. At the moment, excavation is underway, and more interesting
features are being revealed.
Holiday
Cottage Laois
Emo Court House & Gardens
Emo Court was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for the
Earls of Portarlington and is a magnificent example of the 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 1960’s. 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.
Heywood Gardens
Completed in 1912, the property consists of gardens, lakes, woodland
and architectural features. The formal gardens form the centrepiece
of the property and were designed by the famous architect, Sir Edwin
Lutyens (1869 - 1944) and probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll
(1843 - 1932). It is one of four gardens in this country designed by
him, the others being at the War Memorial Gardens, Lambay Island and
Howth Castle. The gardens are composed of four elements linked by a
terrace that ran along the front of the house, which now no longer
exist. Holiday Homes
Ireland
Gordon Bennett Route
Let the Gordon Bennett Route take you on an historic journey across
spectacular Irish countryside and into the picturesque towns and
villages of counties Kildare, Carlow and Laois in the heart of
Ireland. While the famous Gordon Bennett route was raced by the
world’s greatest daredevils at record-breaking speeds in 1903, we
suggest you set yourself a much easier pace. Relax, get your motor
running and follow gently in the footsteps of our motoring pioneers
taking time to enjoy many of Ireland’s best-loved visitor
attractions and breathtaking scenery along the way. Gordon Bennett
road signs make the Gordon Bennett Route an easy-to-follow tour
through one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland offering a unique
insight into the lives, atmosphere and sheer adrenalin behind the
historic car race that roared across this 166km (104-mile) circuit.
There is plenty to see and do along the Gordon Bennett Route for all
the family, for motoring enthusiasts and for motor club members
alike. The route is well served with a wide range of accommodation
from campsites to luxury hotels, and you won’t go hungry whether you
find a nice spot for a picnic, sample a bit of pub grub or go the
whole hog and dine in the style of the race’s flamboyant sponsor,
millionaire James Gordon Bennett.
Abbeyleix Heritage House
Housed in the historic north boys school, the museum at Heritage
House will transport you back in time allowing you to journey with
the pre-Christian warring tribes of Laois, witnessing their
conversion to Christianity and the rise of monastic Laois. Learn of
the Norman influence, the suppression of the monasteries at the
hands of Henry viii and our progress through plantations, the
influence of the landlords and our brush with the industrial
revolution. Learn how an enterprising landlord created much needed
work for women and in a landlocked county exported carpets worldwide
even carpeting the staterooms of the ill-fated Titanic.
Towns and Villages
Portlaoise, formerly known as Maryborough, is the county town and
two other main towns are Portarlington and Abbeyleix. Our selection
of other towns in County Laois includes Ballinakill, Ballyroan,
Borris-in-Ossory, Castletown, Clonaslee, Durrow, Emo, Mountmellick,
Mountraith, Newtown, Rathdowney and Stradbally.
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Laois Holiday Homes