Portlaoise

Welcome to Portlaoise

Portlaoise is a friendly town in Ireland. It is the county town of County Laois, sitting in the province of Leinster. The town is surrounded by beautiful places like the Slieve Bloom mountains and the Great Heath of Maryborough.

Portlaoise is a busy place! From 2011 to 2016, it was the fastest-growing town in Ireland. Today, over 23,000 people call Portlaoise home, making it the biggest town in the Midland Region.

A Town with History

Long ago, Portlaoise started around an old fort called “Fort of Leix” or “Fort Protector.” People built it in 1548 to keep the area safe. In 1557, the town was named Maryborough. Later, in 1929, the name changed to Portlaoise.

The town has many interesting buildings, like churches, a court house, and a hospital. Portlaoise also has a special partnership with towns in France, like Coulounieix-Chamiers and Dordogne.

Fun Things to Do

Portlaoise is a great place for everyone! You can visit the Rock of Dunamase, a big castle from long ago, or see the old Fort Protector. There are also nice places to visit like Emo Court.

The town has many shops, like Tesco and Dunnes Stores, and fun places to eat. Portlaoise also has good sports spots. You can swim, play soccer, or even bowl!

Trains and Travel

Portlaoise is easy to reach. Trains go to and from Dublin and Cork every day. The town is also close to big roads, so it’s easy to drive in and out. Nearby, you can visit the Stradbally Steam Museum and ride on a short train track for fun!