Brought to you by Laois Tourism
It’s another busy weekend in Laois with so much on for everyone in the family.
The Laois Walks Festival continues with guided walks in Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, Erril Bog Walk, Oakvale Woods, Stradbally.
The Durrow Scarecrow festival kicks off nine days of jam-packed activities.
The Ossory Show gets under way, Sonas Boutique Festival of music wellbeing in the wonderful Malthouse, Stradbally, while Nava, a fusion of Persian and Irish music perform in Emo Court.
THURSDAY 25 JULY
Storytime – Mountrath Library
“Stories and crafts for parents and children. Ages 3 – 7 years a lovely afternoon from 3:30pm 4:15pm. The event is free but booking is essential. Call the library on 057 8756378 to book.
Toy Story 3 – Kids’ Film Club Portlaoise Library
Portlaoise Library’s five-week season of Super Summer Movies. Popcorn and drinks will be served at this free event! Parents are requested to stay with children during the film. The event is free but booking is essential. To book a place now by contacting us on 0578622333 or by emailing the library laoislibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Start a Diary, Wimpy Kid Style – Portlaoise Library
Workshop on writing a diary and illustrating it, just like Jeff Kinney. This is free event. Ages 8- 12 but booking is essential 057 8644572.
Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery – Laois Walks Festival 2019
Day 22 and a beautiful walk through one of Irelands oldest preserved heritage woodlands, farm fields and oak avenues. A hidden part of undiscovered Laois.
This is a Grade B 8km walks and takes about 2 1/2 hours. Meet at Farm entrance (Grid S593965) at 7.30pm The cost per walk is €3 and a festival ticket for all walks is just €30.
FRIDAY 26 JULY
The Jungle Book – Kids’ Summer Movie Club – Abbeyleix Library
Every Friday in July Abbeyleix Library are hosting a movie afternoon complete with popcorn and drinks. This week the film is The Jungle Book. It’s suitable for ages 7+ and its free to attend. The movie begins at 2.30pm
Hogwarts Hunt – Portlaoise Library
Find your favourite Harry Potter characters hiding in the library. Ages 7-12 years, booking is essential. 3pm and free to attend. Contact 057 86 22333.
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.
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.
Peter Pan, The Summer Panto – Dunamaise Arts Centre
Full of song, dance and laughter galore, featuring a talented cast of well-known local faces and featuring the children of the highly sought after summer panto summer camp.
Following the massive success of last years “Cinderella” this on stage spectacle promises a lavish production for all to enjoy. Tickets are €15/€12.
Showtimes – Friday 26 7.30pm, Saturday 27 2pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday 28 2pm and 7:30pm. Booking 057 86 63355.
SATURDAY 27 JULY
Camross Macra na Feirme annual BBQ fundraiser
The Camross Macra na Feirme annual BBQ fundraiser is on in Bergin’s pub Camross starting at 9pm. Great food, craic and All Macra title winners will be present on the night, including the 2019 Mr Personality, Queen of the Land, International Miss Macra and the Joe McDonagh trophy with Laois vice Captain Joe Phelan all present on the night.
Errill Bog Walk – Laois Walks Festival 2019
Day 23 of the Laois Walks Festival is at the beautiful Monamonra Bog. This walk has amazing views particularly of the Devil’s Bit.
This is a Grade B 9km walks and takes about 21/2 hours. Meeting at The Green, Grid S218788 at 2.30pm. The cost per walk is €3 and a festival ticket for all walks is just €30.
The Heart of the Summer – Emo Court and Parklands
Enjoy a feast of music and poetry in one of Irelands great historic houses introduced by Olivia O Leary acclaimed journalist and presenter of RTE Radio 1s Poetry Programme.
Olivia’s guests will include some of Irelands finest poets and musicians. Adults €10, students, OAPS and unwaged €8, family €32. Starts at 8pm.
Sonas Boutique Festival – Music Arts and Wellbeing, The Malthouse, Stradbally
A wellness and music festival in the heart of Stradbally. Music stage with the Lost Messiahs, Music generation, James O Connor, Laois ISL Sign Language Choir.
A wellness centre with sound meditation, drumming circle, health and well-being talks. A therapy area with reflexology, massage, energy balancing and much more.
The enchanted garden will host international cuisine, Run and Pulses vegan burgers from Stradbally, stone baked pizzas and much more. Tickets are €20 euro (over 18’s) 5pm to late.
Ossory Show Truckers Barbecue – Rathdowney
To kick start the Ossory Agriculural Show, there will be a trucker’s barbecue, featuring the music of Derek Garfield and the Young Wolf Tones.
Tickets for the event are available locally and all proceeds raised will benefit Rathdowney Scout Group and Rathdowney Events Committee. Tickets are €15. From 8pm and band on stage at 9:30pm.
Ballykilcavan Brewery Tour – Ballykilcavan Farm, Stradbally
Join David for a fully guided tour of the brewery to experience the history of the farm, family and see the brand-new brewery.
You will get to see where the hops are grown, smell the hops, taste the different malts, learn how the drinks are made and enjoy a sample of our range of their multi award winning beers. Tours cost €12.50 and start at 2pm.
SUNDAY 28 JULY
Durrow Scarecrow Festival 2019
Now in its 10th year the Scarecrow Festival is growing from strength to strength. Get ready for jam-packed days of family fun.
This year there is even an app so you won’t miss out on anything. Come and see the amazing scarecrows that take over the village.
This year there is the Miami Slide, this is the biggest slide in Europe.
Enjoy artisan food markets, craft workshops, artists exhibitions, photography competition, daily entertainment, roundbale competition, children’s summer camp, Ladies night kayaking, historical walks the list goes on. The Scarecrow village is a treat for all.
Nava – Emo Court and Parklands
Navá is a group of young musicians exploring the relationship between the ancient musical cultures of Ireland and Persia. It is comprised of folk/bluegrass musicians Paddy Kiernan and Niall Hughes, and Iranian-born brothers Shahab and Shayan Coohe.
Their debut album, ‘Tapestry’, was was launched at the National Concert of Ireland, Dublin, in October 2017.
“Listening to the cross-cultural blend of Navá one would think the two musical cultures of Persia and Ireland had been historically connected. They haven’t…until now. A pioneering musical collaboration.”, observed Carl Corcoran, presenter of ‘The Blue of the Night’, RTE Lyric FM.
Tickets are €15, Family Ticket €50 begins at 7.30pm.
Foraging workshop with Wild Food Kildare – Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery
Join Julie Smyth of Wild Food Kildare will be leading a foraging workshop in the amazing walled garden at Ballykilcavan Brewery.
Go for a leisurely walk, discuss the plants found there, enjoy a cookery demonstration, some light refreshments and round it off with a relaxed chat about wild food. Limited to 12 places.
Workshop is geared towards adults. Under 12s are welcome and free of charge, but must be supervised. 12pm to 3pm and €35 per person. You can find out more about the event here.
Oakvale Woods – Laois Walks Festival 2019
Day 24 of the Laois Walks Festival takes us to Oakvale Woods, Stradbally. Explore the forest on the Cobblers Walk, passing a Mass Rock, lime kilns and the gate of the Cobblers Castle Folly.
This is a Grade A 10km walk and takes 2 1/2 hours. The meeting point is Oakvale Carpark at 2:30pm Grid Ref S585951.
The cost per walk is €3 and a festival ticket for all walks is just €30.
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is the Buailnacaora Walk. This walk is a Grade B, 9km walk and takes 3 hours. Meeting point is Glenbarrow Carpark at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership (€30 for family). See Slievebloom.ie for more details.
The Ossory Agricultural Show – Rathdowney
This year’s eagerly awaited Ossory Agricultural Show, couples with the Ossory Truck Show, takes place on Sunday July 28th. Massive truck, vintage and tractor show will keep all the family entertained. It’s a great family fun weekend.
The event takes place in the showgrounds, which are located in Coolfin, Kilbreedy, Rathdowney, County Laois, in the heart of Ireland. Adults are €10. Takes place from 8am to 4.30pm.
Furry 5km Charity Dog Walk – Petworld, Portlaoise
Petworlds annual Furry 5km is a 5km sponsored walk with all proceeds going to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland. ADDI is a national charity that transforms the lives of children and parents. Pop into the store and get your sponsorship pack.
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