Brought to you by Laois Tourism
The sun is set to stay shining in Laois for the first weekend of July and there are loads of things to do in the O’Moore County.
The Laois Walks Festival is in full swing while there is a Van and Jeep run in Camross along with a Tractor Run in Fishertown.
Check it all out below and plan your weekend wisely.
THURSDAY JULY 4
Superheroes – Mountrath Library
As part of the summer line up Mountrath Library is hosting a Superhero afternoon. Come dresses as your favourite superhero and enjoy the fun. This is suitable for ages 3-10 years there is no cost but booking is essential. For more information call 057 8756378.
Codebreaking Workshop – Portlaoise Library
This is a great afternoon for all budding spies. Cormac introduces you to simple codes including basic Morse Code and how to break them. It’s suitable for ages 8-12 years and the event is free but booking is essential. It runs from 2-3.30pm in the Library. For more information 057 8622333 or you can email laoislibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Codebreaking Workshop- Rathdowney Library
This is a great evening for all budding spies. Cormac introduces you to simple codes including basic Morse Code and how to break them. It’s suitable for ages 8-12 years and the event is free but booking is essential. It runs from 7-8.30pm in the Library. For more information call 0505 46852 or email: cafitzpatrick@laoiscoco.ie
Emo Court Demesne – Laois Walks Festival 2019
Day 4 of the Laois Walks Festival sees a Grade B. 8km walk around the grounds of Emo Court. The walk should take about 2 hours and the meeting point is at the community Community Centre car park. Enjoy a circuit of Emo Court Demesne (second largest walled park in Europe) passing forest plantations, fields and Emo Court gardens itself.
Why not take a tour of the house before the walk, it will take your breath away. Tours are €8 per adult. The cost per walk is €3 and a festival ticket for all walks is just €30. The walk begins at 7:30pm. Laois Walks Festival brochures are available in Laois Tourist Office or online at http://laoispartnership.ie/laois-walks-festival/
Luan Parle & Clive Barnes Live & Bobs Hideout
Come and hear two of Ireland’s finest songwriters and performers Luan Parle and Clive Barnes in Bobs Bar. A wonderful night guaranteed. Tickets are € 15 and the gig begins at 8pm. For more information call Bob’s on 087 61654854 or email info@bobsbardurrow.com.
Music in the Mezzanine -Dunamaise Arts Centre
Soprano and harpist Mary Conroy is delighted to return to her home town to perform a selection of music for voice and harp. Tickets are € 15 and the show begins at 8pm For more information call 057 8663355 or see www.dunamaise.ie
Family Reading Time -Mountmellick Library
A great initiative to take time out as a family and read together in a fun, comfortable space. There is no cover charge and all are welcome. Ph: 057 8644572
Family Reading Time – Abbeyleix Library
A great initiative to take time out as a family and read together in a fun, comfortable space. There is no cover charge and all are welcome. Its suitable for all ages and runs from 4pm-5pm. For more information call 057 8730020.
FRIDAY JULY 5
Portlaoise Summer Festival
This Friday sees the last day of the Portlaoise Summer Festival in Peppers Lane. Local artisan food and craft producers have put this summer market together to showcase the great food and crafts in Laois. This will incorporate the Portlaoise Farmers market also so take note of the new location until the 12th July.
Neil Delamere – Work in Progress!
Neil Delamere is prepping for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and for his nationwide tour in 2019 and 2020. He will be trying out some of that brand new material on the good folks of Portlaoise. A great opportunity to see Neil in the intimate setting of Kavanagh’s Comedy Club. Suitable for ages 18+ and tickets are € 12. The gig begins at 9pm. For tickets see www.ticketweb.ie or http://kavanaghsportlaoise.com/index.php/gigs-in-kavanaghs/
Wonder – Kids’ Summer Movie Club -Abbeyleix Library
Every Friday in July Abbeyleix Library are hosting a movie afternoon complete with popcorn and drinks. This week 5th July the film is Wonder. Its suitable for ages 7+ and its free to attend. The movie begins at 2:30pm. For more information call 057 8730020 or see https://www.facebook.com/LaoisLibraries
Crafty Time – Portlaoise Library
Running every Friday in July. Each week find a new craft that parents and children can make together. Its suitable for ages 6-12 years and is free and runs throughout the day, For more information call 057 8622333 or you can email laoislibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Lego Fun – Mountrath Library
Every Friday Mountrath Library is hosting Lego fun for all budding builders. Build your own Lego creations Suitable for ages 8-12 years and is a free event but booking is essential. To find out more call 057 8756378.
SATURDAY JULY 6
Rock of Dunamase – Laois Walks Festival 2019
Another wonderful walk day in and around the Rock of Dunamaise. Take in the wonderful views from the Rock of Dunamase and stroll along the woodland paths of Dysart Wood. This is a grade B, 10km walk and should take about 2 1/2 hours. The meeting point is Dysart Wood car park at 2:30pm. Walks cost €3 per walk or purchase a festival ticket for €30. For a full list of walks see http://laoispartnership.ie/laois-walks-festival/
Van and Jeep Run, 5k Run/Walk,
Camross village is hosting a great family day in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. There is a 5k Run/walk starting at 3pm in Camross Village with registration from 2pm. €10 entry for the run/walk. A mixed doubles hurling game takes place in Camross GAA Club grounds from 5 pm. At 6pm registration takes place for the Van & Jeep run in Camross Village.
The run begins at 7pm. There is a €20 entry for vans/jeeps. Rounding out a very busy day is a BBQ and Music in the Camross Inn from 9.30pm. A very active and fun day is guaranteed. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/1066144983571132/ or email: gerhogan46@gmail.com
Intensive One Day Horticultural Course
Come to Dunmore Country School and learn how to grow your produce. Tanguey is an incredible organic gardener; he uses traditional French growing methods. This course is a must if you want to understand in just one day the essence of traditional gardening. It costs €100 and runs from 9.30am-4.30pm. For more information see dunmorecountryschool.ie or call 087 125 8002.
The Cottage Market
The Cottage Market is back for July in the Macra Hall on Main Street. This wonderful artisan market is full of homegrown, handcrafted & homemade goods. A great place to potter on a Saturday morning. It runs from 10am-1pm. For more see https://www.facebook.com/TheCottageMarketMountrath
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is Kinnitty Cumber Hill Walk. This walk is a Grade A 10km walk and takes 4 hours so a good level of fitness is required. Meeting point is Kinnitty Community Centre at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership (€30 for family). For more information see www.slievebloom.ie.
Lego Workshop – Portlaoise Library
Every Saturday in July Portlaoise Library is hosting Lego fun for all budding builders. Just bring your creativity! And build your own Lego creations Suitable for ages 8-12 years and is a free event but booking is essential. It runs from 11am-12pm. To find out more call 057 8622333 or you can email laoislibrary@laoiscoco.ie.
Durrow Lego Club – Durrow Library
Every Saturday in July Durrow Library is hosting Lego fun for all budding builders. Just bring your creativity and build your own Lego creations Suitable for ages 3-12 years and is a free event but booking is essential. It runs from 11am-12pm. To find out more call Ph: 057 87 36090 or email: lmoriarty@laoiscoco.ie.
Yoga Mini Break
Blackhills Woods are hosting 2 restorative yoga mornings this Saturday and Sunday. They are energetically and intuitively led by Simon to include gentle yoga, body movement, meditation and deep relaxation of body and mind. They cost €40 per day and that includes a vegan lunch. The workshop runs from10:30am – 13:30pm each day. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/323679158567718/
SUNDAY JULY 7
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is the Cadamstown Walk. This walk is a Grade B 10km walk and takes 4 hours so a good level of fitness is required. Meeting point is Cadamstown Carpark at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership (€30 for family). For more information see www.slievebloom.ie.
Durrow -The Ballagh – Laois Walks Festival 2019
This challenging walk takes in country lanes and roads, with views of Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains. Walk along part of the old Bianconi Coach Road. This is a Grade A, 12km walk and it take 3 hours. The meeting point is St. Fintan’s Church car park at 2.30pm. It costs €3 per walk or a festival ticket of €30. For full details of all the walks see http://laoispartnership.ie/laois-walks-festival/
Fisherstown Tractor Run
Fisherstown has organised a great family day out in aid of the Laois Hospice. The day begins with a Tractor run leaving from The Final Furlong at 12am. Thrashing and food served all day and there will be bouncy castles and lots of family fun. For more information call Peter 086 2853243 or Dave 087 2729446
SEE ALSO – Teenager living in Laois charged with murder of Waterford fisherman
