1 – Sadness and shock at death of former IFA president Padraig Walshe
The death has occurred of Padraig Walshe, the Laois man who was a former president of the Irish Farmers Association. He was aged in his mid 60s.
Mr Walshe, who farmed a dairy enterprise at Bishopswood, Durrow, alongside his wife Ella and son Pat, passed away suddenly on February 1.
He is also survived by his daughters Julieanne, Catherine, Elma and a wide circle of family and friends.
2 – Warning made after man impersonating Garda appears at house in Laois village
A warning has been made to the public after a man impersonating a Garda appeared at a house in a Laois village.
The incident occurred recently at a house in Rosenallis.
The householders did not engage with this person and reported the matter immediately to Gardai.
3 – Council to acquire 26 new houses in Laois village in bid to alleviate local housing need
Laois County Council are to purchase 26 new houses in Borris-In-Ossory in a bid to alleviate local housing need in the village.
The houses have been purchased on the Rathdowney Road in an estate formerly known as ‘Deanswood’.
These houses have been derelict and left unfinished for more than 10 years but they will be fully renovated.
4 – In Pictures: Abbeyleix celebrate fantastic 2022 campaign in style
The Abbeyleix hurlers are enjoying an incredible couple of years with success coming in various different forms.
Having put in huge work in the underage grades over the past decade, it is now beginning to bear fruit at adult level.
2022, in particular, was a year to remember for the club – and they celebrated in style recently in local hotel and long-time sponsor, The Abbeyleix Manor.
5 – After excellent 2022 campaign, Donoher opts out of Laois setup
The Laois ladies football team will have to do without the services of Aisling Donoher for the 2023 season.
The Timahoe club player made a sensational return to the panel last year after a number of seasons away and nailed down the full-back position where she excelled for the duration of the championship as Laois claimed All Ireland intermediate honours in stunning fashion.
6 – Sadness in Colt and Raheen community following the death of the much-loved Bosco Grant
The small tight-knit community of Colt and Raheen is in mourning this week following the death of the widely popular Bosco Grant.
Every GAA club has a family or two that is synonymous with their fortunes – and for Colt over a long number of years one of those families is the Grants.
Bosco, who lived beside the home place in Colt, celebrated his 50th birthday before Christmas but by then he was fighting a battle with cancer that began last spring.
7 – Management teams for six Laois GAA squads confirmed for the 2023 season
The management teams for the six Laois GAA hurling and football squads for the 2023 season have been confirmed.
The majority of the Senior management teams have already been published.
8 – Beautiful tribute paid as ‘Chilly’ Ward ‘who was Port to his bones’ to be laid to rest
There is deep sadness in Portarlington this week following the passing of one of its most loved characters.
Philip ‘Chilly’ Ward passed away peacefully at the Regional Hospital Portlaoise after a brief illness on Monday.
Chilly was known far and wide across the county – and most so for his love and involvement with GAA.
9 – Laois off to winning start with hard-working performance in Sligo
Billy Sheehan’s Laois kick-started their National Football League Division 4 campaign with a promising win away to Sligo in Markievicz Park.
Sligo were expected to be one of the stronger teams in the division and started the game as slight favourites.
But Laois, having been relegated to the bottom division last season, were keen to make a good start in their bid for instant promotion and will be very pleased with the result.
10 – New Labour councillor confirmed following Noel Tuohy’s retirement
Laois County Council is set to get a new councillor following the decision of the Labour party locally to select a replacement for Noel Tuohy.
Tuohy had been a councillor for the Portlaoise Municipal District since his election in 2014 but announced late last year that he was retiring from the role on health grounds.
A meeting of party members in Laois in the Midlands Park Hotel decided to back Noel’s wife Marie to take on the role – and she will be officially co-opted at the February meeting of the council later this month.
