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My, my, my. What a weekend this is!
It’s a very busy weekend in Laois with lots of Christmas markets and events throughout the county. There will be no excuse not to find that perfect gift.
Santa’s about again this weekend, there’s musicals, live music and comedy, days out, nights out and all round activity and fun to keep us all entertained all weekend.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29
Abbeyleix Annual Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas Fair takes place Thursday in the Manor Hotel. The evening will be packed full of goodies and entry is free. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served on arrival.
This is a great opportunity to purchase some gifts from a wide variety of stalls. The fair is running from 4pm -9pm and for more information see here or call 057 87 30111.
Comfort and Joy Christmas Event
The Heritage Killenard Spa is hosting a lovely evening to showcase all the amazing treats and treatments available in the Spa.
The evening will include treatment demos, gift ideas and a complimentary goodie bag.
The event begins at 5pm in the spa. For more information call 057 86 45500 or see here.
Annual Mulled Wine Evening
This is another annual event running in Manor Stone Garden Centre. It’s a lovely way to kick off the Christmas season so come along and enjoy a mulled wine evening and bring friends and family for a relaxing evening.
Titanic the Musical
Portlaoise Musical Society presents one of their most spectacular productions to date, Titanic the Musical.
This show continues until the 1st Dec and there are very few, if any tickets available. For more information or to book see call 057 866 2255.
Grease – The Musical
The students and staff of Heywood Community School are putting on Grease – the Musical this Thursday and Friday night at 8pm in the school.
Tickets can be purchased on the door and adults are €10, Students & OAP’s €8. Family ticket (2 adults, 2 Children) costs €28.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30
Chris Holmes ‘Mean Man No Limit Tour’
Kavanaghs Bar & Venue is the place to be Friday night to see Chris Holmes live. The heavy metal guitarist and songwriter is best known as the lead guitarist of W.A.S.P. and puts on an amazing show.
He’s bringing his Mean Machine No Limit tour to Portlaoise at 9.30pm and tickets cost €14.
Table Quiz – Raheen
Lalor House Restoration project are holding a fundraiser table quiz in Eamon A’Chnoic in Raheen at 9pm. A table of 4 is €40 and there will be a raffle on the night.
Mike Denver – Castle Arms, Durrow
County and Western Star Mike Denver plays the Castle Arms on Friday night. A great night is assured and tickets will sell out fast.
Tickets are €15 and are available from the hotel. Doors open at 9pm with dancing from 10pm til late.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 1
Geraldine & Kinfolk- Live Music
Sheeran’s Pub Coolrain will be hopping Friday night with live music from Geraldine & Kinfolk. The band play a mix of country and Irish music and keep everyone entertained.
Gig begins at 10pm. For more information call Sheeran’s on 086 807 8842.
Book Launch
Ballyroan Community Hall hosts a book launch on Friday night at 8pm. Portlaoise native, Pauric Lodge will officially launch a unique and remarkable book.
This book is a unique combination of the history of Ballyroan GAA and of Ballyroan Village. This special book is three years in the making and would make a great Christmas gift for any GAA fans.
Timahoe Christmas Lights Event
Timahoe’s Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 6pm on the Village Green. Come along and enjoy festive carols and a warm festive cuppa in The Corner Shop! All are welcome.
Table Quiz – Vicarstown Inn
Get your team together for a fun night out and raise some funds for Annanough GAA club. Teams cost €40 for a table of 4 and everyone is welcome. Event begins at 8pm.
Christmas Cottage Market – Mountrath
The Cottage Market is back this Saturday in the Macra Hall, Mountrath. As well as the usual stands there will be some Christmas additions with over 30 stallholders on the day.
Craft Fair – Portlaoise
Crafty Ladies Portlaoise will be having a craft fair for local crafters. There are 25 stalls with all kinds of everything for you to choose from for that special person or special gift.
Items include soaps, upcycling decoupage, crochet items, knitted items, Christmas decorations, cakes buns,bows and lots more. The fair runs in the Treo Nua Portlaoise Resource Centre from 12:30pm to 5pm.
Annual Photographic Exhibition – Mountrath
A large photo exhibition will be on display by Mountrath & District Camera Club. All photographs on display will be available to purchase and can make a lovely Christmas gift.
On display in the building formerly known as The Cutting Edge (between Phelan’s & Bennet’s) All are welcome from 11am-3pm.
Fred Cooke & Bernard Casey – Kavanagh’s Comedy Club
Its laughs all the way in Kavanagh’s Comedy Club. Fred Cooke delivers a unique brand of comedy through his musical prowess and wild, crafted physical storytelling.
Bernard Casey is a brand new type of comic; young and rural but very much a 21st century man. Tickets are €14 and the gig begins at 9:30pm. For tickets see here.
Afternoon Tea – Mountmellick
The ladies of St Paul’s parish are holding an Afternoon Tea fundraiser. The afternoon promised a wonderful afternoon tea as well as a Christmas present stall and raffles.
Tickets are amazing value at just €10 and can be bought in Breda’s Gift Shop, O’Horain’s, World of Sparkle, Anne Sands or Richard Jestin. The event runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Old School Hall, Pearse Street.
Oisín Players present ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’
Stand by for a night of hilarious one-liners and put-downs as ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’ takes you on a two-hour rollercoaster of Irish comedy.
Set in rural Ireland in 1969. Written by playwright, Tommy Marren and performed by the Oisín Players.
Tickets are €10 and the play runs on the 1st-2nd at The Glenside Lounge, Killeshin at 8pm. Phone 087 990 5205 for inquiries.
Santa’s Grotto Emo Court
Santa’s back in Emo this weekend and he’ll be there on certain dates until the 24 Dec.
Each child will be greeted by Ellie, Elf & brought to Santa’s beautiful grotto where they will help Mrs Claus prepare her cookies, have a chat with Santa & receive a gift.
Afterwards, they will have hot chocolate & a cookie in the Tea Rooms. €15 per child. Adults go free. Booking by prior reservation, phone 057 8633964.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 2
Visit Santa Claus – Timahoe
Santa is making a stop at The Heritage Centre in Timahoe this Sunday after mass. Why not pop down and say hello and make sure he has your letter!
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is at Emo Court. This walk is a 8km Grade C walk and takes 2-3 hours so suitable for most.
Meeting point is at the entrance gates at 11am.€5 per walk or €20 annual membership.
Signing Santa – The Pantry, Portlaoise
Signing Santa provides the deaf, hard of hearing and coda (children of deaf adults) with an opportunity to meet and communicate with a Santa that communicates using IS.
This lovely event is held in the Pantry in Portlaoise and is free for all but please bring your own gift. Santa visits are by appointment only and can be booked by emailing midlandsisllearners@gmail.com.
Birdwatching with Birdwatch Ireland
The Laois Branch of BirdWatch Ireland is in Abbeyleix this Sunday and plan on visiting a field of wild bird cover and an interesting wetland site nearby. Meet at The Square, Abbeyleix at 9am.
Finnegan’s Fury – Live Music
Sheeran’s Pub, Coolrain host great live music with Finnegan’s Fury playing from 10pm.
Mountmellick Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas fair will be held in O’Connell Square this Sunday. There will be 45 stalls all around the fabulous Christmas tree and it promises to be a lovely afternoon.
Santa will be in his grotto and is free to visit. There will also be facepainting, carol singing, mulled wine , live music and a monster raffle. The fair runs from 1pm to 6pm.
If you would like to have something included in our What’s On Guide email us on info@laoistoday.ie or call 057 8670722.
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