The South East:Layout 1 02/05/2007 14:33 Page 86
CO. LAOIS ABBEYLEIX
OFFALY
Laois is situated in the heart of some A designated Heritage Town, Abbeyleix, is one of the finest planned
Portarlington
of Ireland’s most beautiful estate towns in the country, with spacious tree-lined streets and
KILDARE
landscapes, where history has left its picturesque period houses. Situated in the heart of Ireland on the
Mountmellick
marks in the remains of Celtic main Dublin-Cork Road, the town was founded by the de Vesci family
Portlaoise
Stradbally
ringforts, medieval ruins and monastic in the mid 18th century near the site of a 12th century Cistercian
Mountrath
buildings. County Laois is steeped in abbey. The award-winning Heritage House Interpretive Centre is worth
Borris-in-Ossory
Abbeyleix heritage and folklore and has many a visit. Tel: (0502) 31653. South east of the town is Heywood
historic buildings and gardens Gardens with its lakes, woodlands and architectural features. Its
testament to this, many located on the formal gardens were designed by the world-famous Sir Edwin Luytens
KILKENNY Heritage Trail. The spectacular Emo and were probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll. Open to visitors year
Court is a jewel in Laois as is round.
Heywood Gardens. One of the primary reasons to visit Laois, however,
is to see and experience the magnificent Slieve Bloom Mountains. BORRIS-IN-OSSORY
From the summit of Mount Arderin on a clear day, it is possible to Originally a cluster surrounding the ruined 15th-century Fitzpatrick
see the highest points of all four of the ancient provinces. The Rock of Castle, the village of Borris-in-Ossory grew along the 18th-century
Dunamaise, near Stradbally, is one of the country’s great fortifications coach road and depended on the woollen trade. North of the village is
where Vikings and Normans have fought over its possession. Finally, Kyle, or Cluain Ferta Molua, the site of a monastery founded by Saint
Laois is dotted with many charming villages to visit, including Lugaid or Molua who came from Limerick and died in 609. It was an
Abbeyleix and Stradbally. For further details see Laois Tourism on important centre of learning in the seventh century and home of
www.laoistourism.ie. Laidcend mac Baith-Bannaig, whose works on biblical commentaries
survive in manuscripts across Europe. To get to Borris-in-Ossory, take
pointofinterest activities & pastimes the N7 from Portlaoise towards Roscrea in Co. Tipperary. Borris-In-
Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Laois. So Different, So Ossory is the first town you will meet.
Near. Play seven golf courses, including a championship course.
Experience the western-style riding ranch at Fossey Mountain, Tel: DONAGHMORE
(057) 873 6527/(087) 231 6591; a horse-drawn caravan holiday at Donaghmore was originally associated with an early medieval church
Kilvahan, Tel: (057) 8735178, Web: www.horsedrawncaravans.com; or and later with an early Norman fortification. It became an extensive
go paintballing in Stradbally, Tel: 086 194 9498/086 377 7499. industrial complex in the 18th and 19th centuries. To the north
Take a barge trip along the Grand Canal with Barrowline Cruisers, Tel: west is the headquarters of the Donaghmore Co-op, built as a
(057) 862 5189, Web: www.barrowline.com; or play bowls at the only workhouse in the 1850s. During the Great Famine, some 10
bowls stadium in the Republic of Ireland, Tel: (057) 864 2320, Web: percent of the local population sought refuge here. Now restored,
www.theheritage.com. For a copy of the ‘Passport to Laois’ booklet, visitors can see the original dormitories, kitchen and waiting hall, plus
contact Laois Tourism Office on (057) 866 4132 or Email: the agricultural museum also housed here. The Donaghmore
info@laoistourism.ie; Web:
www.laoistourism.ie. Workhouse and Agricultural Museum is open during summer.
Laois House. Vicarstown, Co. Laois.
86 the south east
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