Brought to you by Laois Tourism
It’s a long weekend, it’s a Halloween weekend and there is so much to do.
Catherine Fulvio is in Abbeyleix Thursday evening for a cookery demonstration and artisan food and craft market. The Spooky Express is running in Stradbally Woodland Express offering a great Halloween experience for all the family, well worth checking out.
There’s lots of dress up parties and events, live music and nights out to be had over the long weekend. We even have a stand up comedy gig for kids. So no one is going to be stuck for something to do this weekend in Laois.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25
Evening with Catherine Fulvio
Camross Parish Development have organised a really great evening this Thursday in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. Join celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio for a cookery demonstration and enjoy an exclusive artisan food & craft market. There will be a local link bus running from Camross leaving at 6pm and returning afterwards. Tickets are € 20 and event begins at 6.30pm. Tickets are on sale at the hotel reception, Poets Cottage or by contacting Johanna 086 6012153/ Breda 087 6485034.
Mick Flannery
Come and see one of the finest singer-songwriters to come out of Ireland in recent years at Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue. Gig starts at 9.30pm and tickets are €25. For tickets see kavanaghsportlaoise.com
Social Night – Mountmellick
Everyone loves a social night so why not pop along to Wolfe Tone Court and enjoy some great entertainment, sign song and a raffle. Light refreshments will be served. So see you between 8.30pm and 11pm.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
CUA – Live Music
Don’t miss a night in the company of a fantastic local folk group making waves in the global folk scene! The event is in the Dunamaise Arts Centre and begins at 8pm. Tickets are €15/€12.50 and can be booked at www.dunamaise.ie or 057 8663355
Halloween Home-Ed Hootenanny – Scare Free Halloween Party
The Earth School Laois in Mountmellick are hosting a non scary dress up for sensitive kids from 11am -2pm. This is a great initiative for kids who want to enjoy the Halloween parties without the scares! The day includes treats, pumpkin carving and games and costs just €5. Bring along some treats for For more information see Facebook @earthschoollaois.
Table Quiz
Come and test your general knowledge and why not enter the spirit and get dresses up too. St Paul’s Church of Ireland is holding a table quiz in Turley Bar, Mountmellick at 8.30pm. Table of 4 is €20 with a raffle on the night. Great prizes to be won.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
Flash Harry – Live Music
Flash Harry, a Queen tribute act, is a great way to get a long weekend rocking. Enjoy all the hits and classics from Queen, Gig begins at 9.30pm and tickets cost €21. For more see Kavanaghsportlaoise.com.
Stand up for Kids
Have you a budding comedian at home? Well take them along to the Dunamaise Arts Centre to enjoy a stand up show that is targeted at families. This absolutely hilarious family friendly show has all the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club, but it’s daytime and kids are allowed in! Perfect mid-term break entertainment for the whole family. Suitable for ages 6+.
Costs €10 (€35 for family of 4) and begins at 2pm. For more information see www.dunamaise.ie or 057 8663355.
The Spooky Express – Saturday and Sunday
Enjoy some frightful fun for the whole family! Are you brave enough for the Spooky Express? Begin with a train ride within the dark foreboding woods, who knows what will be hidden within and what may come to life on Halloween. There is also lots of creepy crafts, scary face painting, exhibitions, educational games, food & lots of spooky Halloween entertainment.
Run by the Kiki Theatre Group and beginning at the Stradbally Woodland Railway. Tickets cost €10.14 for children and €18.25 for adults. Trains running every 20 mins from 10.30am to 7pm on both days. To book tickets see here.
Shane Moore – Live Music
Sheeran’s Pub, Coolrain hosts Shane Moore, the man from across the Shannon who always puts everyone through their paces. There’s no cover charge and gig begins at 10pm.
Social Dance – Mountmellick
The monthly social dance will be held in the Owenass Hall from 9.30pm to 12.30pm. Great music by Declan Aungier. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
Live Forever – Live Music
Live Forever, an Oasis tribute act,play Manhattan Mixer as part of their Halloween festival. Who doesn’t live a bit of Oasis? Tickets are € 11 and gig begins at 10pm. For more information email manhattan.mixer@gmail.com
Halloween Fancy Dress Charity Party
The Rock GAA charity fancy dress party, lots of great prizes and craic. The party will be held in Turley’s Pub, Mountmellick and is in aid of Irish Lung Fibrosis Association and the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre. Tickets are just €5 and kicks off from 8pm.
Ballylinan Halloween Craft Fair
Ballylinan Old School on Main St is hosting the Halloween Craft Fair this Sunday. There will be a wide range of baked goods, soaps & candles, personalised gifts, a candy stand & much more. It will be a great way to spend a morning. There is no cover charge and it runs from 12pm-2pm. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/ballylinancf or call Rosaleen on 086 344 8966.
The Complete Stone Roses – Live Music
If you are a Stone Roses fan you don’t want to miss this great tribute act. So just roll with it Sunday night in Kavanaghs Bar & Venue from 9.30. Tickets are €18.50 and can be purchased at kavanaghsportlaoise.com
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is at Clonaslee Woods/Brittas Lakes. This walk is a 12km Grade B walk and takes 3-4 hours so suitable for moderate level of fitness. Meeting point is Clonaslee Community Centre at 11am . €5 per walk or €20 annual membership. For more information see their website here.
Ballinakill Classic Indoor Car Show
Come and see Ireland’s largest and best Indoor Classic Car show this Sunday in Laois Shopping Centre Car Park. There will be a huge amount of classic cars on show from all over Ireland. Its free to view the cars while exhibitors will pay €5 per car with all proceeds going to the Laois Down Syndrome Association. Viewing is available from 10.30am. For more information call 086 2625999 or email ballinakillvcoc@gmail.com.
Coolrain Vintage Run
For a great day out check out Coolrain Vintage run. There will be a vintage car and tractor run as well as a 6km walk/run/jog. Assemble at Sheeran’s Pub at 12 noon. Lots of music, food and craic to after the run so lots of fun for all the family. See Facebook for more information /coolrainvintage.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29
Costumes & Pumpkins & Candy OH MY!
Enjoy some great Halloween fun in Dunmore Woods Durrow this Monday. Kids come dressed up and enjoy a pumpkin hunt. Afterwards they have hot chocolate, Halloween candy, bean boozled challenge, slime making, face painting, and scary stories. The cost is €10 per child. Adults free and runs from 3pm-5.30pm. To book contact Trudy at Experiencing Laois on 087 792 3367.
Beat The Barge
It’s time for the 4km Beat the Barge Zombie Run. Dress up and run in fancy dress, zombies especially welcome. Registration from 11am in Vicarstown Community Centre and race begins at 12 noon. First 200 people to register will get a technical t-shirt. Light refreshments afterwards in Crean’s Pub. Entry is €12 adult and €6 per child. Lots of great spot prizes. For more information contact John Scully 085 1742251 or Majella on 086 0111722.
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is Dysart Woodland Walk. This walk is a 9km Grade B walk and takes 3 hours so suitable for moderate level of fitness. Meeting point is Dysart Woodland Car Park (GR: S532976) at 11am . €5 per walk or €20 annual membership. For more information see their website here.
Transmitter – Live Music
For a perfect end to a long weekend come and enjoy a local favourite, Transmitter in Kavanaghs Bar & Venue from 7pm. There is no cover charge and all welcome.
McGiollaphadraig Way Walk
Join South Laois Tourism for the very popular annual walk around the McGiollaphadraig Way. Starting at 12 noon at Cullahill Castle with registeration from 11.30. Enjoy the beautiful views of Cullahill Mountain and Capponellan woods and finish in Durrow. Refreshments served in Dec’s Bar.
If you would like to have something included in our What’s On Guide email us on info@laoistoday.ie or call 057 8670722
