1 – Shock at sudden death of young Portarlington teacher

There was widespread shock in Portarlington this week at the sudden death of Colaiste Iosagain teacher Emily Seery.

A native of Edenderry in Offaly and only aged in her mid 30s, Ms Seery died suddenly on Sunday.

She had been an established member of the Colaiste Iosagain staff for the past number of years where she taught French and German.

2 – Billionaire brothers purchase Laois mansion and set to spend €2 million doing it up

Two billionaire brothers have purchased a mansion that was in the ownership of Laois County Council.

The sale of Millbrook House, on the former De Vesci Estate in Abbeyleix, was approved by Councillors for €400,000.

The Victorian building, located on 1.7 hectares, will be sold to Comhlacht na Feirme Ltd. At Monday’s monthly meeting, Councillors confirmed that this company is backed by Billionaire brothers John and Patrick Collison.

3 – Laois woman killed in farm accident

Kathleen Seale, née Collier, passed away tragically on Monday January 31 at her home at Clonenagh between Portlaoise and Mountrath after being hit by a vehicle on her family farm.

Mrs Seale, who was from Mountrath, is married mother of four who worked for more than 40 years in the ESB.

Kathleen is the beloved wife of Gerry and much-loved mother of Adrian, Colm, David and Kathy. Her funeral mass took place on Friday in Mountrath.

4 – Costa Del Errill – Beach resort in Laois receives planning permission

A beach resort is on its way to Laois after County Council planners gave the proposal the green light.

Laois may be about as far away from the coastline as you can get – but it hasn’t stopped Iveta Melgaile and Patrick Bowe.

They applied for permission to construct a glamping development to include a Pond Beach Resort at Clomeen North in Errill.

5 – Cummins Motor Group – new Opel dealers in Portlaoise – celebrate massive January sales figures

Official figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), highlight the Opel brand recorded phenomenal growth in County Laois in January 2022.

Following the appointment of Cummins Motor Group to the Opel Dealer Network just four months ago, Opel took a combined passenger car and light commercial vehicle market share of 6.8% in County Laois in January, tripling sales in the county year on year (+333.3%).

6 – Borrowing jerseys from the men, togging out under a tree and a young ‘legend’ that was the first chairperson of Laois ladies football

The Laochra Gael documentary on Sue Ramsbottom on TG4 shone a light on the genius of the Timahoe and Laois ladies football star.

But it also drew attention to the struggle that the Laois ladies football team went through before winning their first – and to this day – only All Ireland title in 2001.

Yet the action on the pitch was only part of it. Even getting jerseys, pitches, players and supporters was a big challenge.

Our piece on Connie Conway, the first chairperson of Laois ladies football, was one of our most read stories of the past week.

7 – Strong second half sees Laois defeat Louth for perfect Division 3 start

A strong second half saw the Laois senior footballers begin life in Division 3 with a win in Ardee on Sunday afternoon.

Played in atrocious conditions throughout, Laois took their goal chances – one in each half from Gary Walsh and one from Sean O’Flynn – and that was the difference in the end.

Laois finished 3-9 to 1-10 winners.

8 – #LoveLaois: A selection of some of our favourite spots around the county

Over the past year, the LaoisToday team has driven the #LoveLaois concept, a way of celebrating the best and most beautiful spots our county has to offer.

In recent months we’ve visited various locations around Laois and documented what they have to offer, how to get there and what you need to know to enjoy them.

It’s not an exhaustive list and there’s as many places that we haven’t got to as we have. We’ve also steered away from some of the higher-profile ones like Emo Court, Glenbarrow and the Rock of Dunamaise. Our list of some of our favourite spots proved hugely popular.

9 – Sadness following the passing of Rita Fitzpatrick – mam of Supervet Noel

There is sadness in Ballyfin this week following the passing of Rita Fitzpatrick at the age of 92.

Mrs Fitzpatrick, of Esker, Mountmellick, passed peacefully at her home on Wednesday February 2.

Rita is the mother of Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick was often fondly spoken of by her TV star son on his hit Channel 4 TV show.

10 – Laois footballers and hurling confirm joint-captains for the 2022 season

The Laois senior footballers have confirmed that that they will have joint captains for 2022.

For the footballers, Trevor Collins and Evan O’Carroll, two of five different players who skippered the county during the O’Byrne Cup campaign, have been bestowed the honour.

The Laois hurlers are also going for joint captains with Podge Delaney and John Lennon sharing the role.