1 – Sadness as young Laois man dies tragically in New Zealand
A young Laois man has lost his life tragically in a freak accident in New Zealand.
Sean Clear from Ballacolla died late last week after a tragic accident while working.
2 – Two Laois students move to top of the class at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Two Laois students were awarded first and second places based on their aggregate marks across all modules in the Royal College of Surgeons recently.
Eimear Corri and Caoimhe Dignam are in Year 2 of Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) at the college.
3 – Laois hotel receives ‘Great Place to Work Certification’ for the second year in a row
The four-star Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise has been awarded the Great Place to Work Certification for 2023.
This is the second year in a row that the Laois hotel has been awarded the accolade.
The accolade – which is granted to businesses that champion positive and aspirational company cultures – is recognised in over 60 countries, with more than 7,000 organisations surveyed each year.
4 – Sadness as well-known Laois man Pat Hooban passes away
There is deep sadness in Laois following the passing of the well-known and highly-regarded Pat Hooban.
Mr Hooban, a well-known builder and a very popular member of Portlaoise rugby and Ballyfin and Portlaoise GAA communities, has died.
5 – ‘Public money should not be used’ – Laois Councillor fumes over Ploughing Association monument
A Laois County Councillor says that public money should not be used to pay for the erection of a monument which commemorates the World Ploughing Championships.
Back in September, President Michael D Higgins unveiled a monument at the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska.
6 – ‘Shoddy workmanship’ blasted in Laois as calls made for ‘work to be checked before payment made’
‘It is like some lad came and just tipped over a wheelbarrow of tarmacadam and then left it there’.
That was the view of Councillor Aidan Mullins in relation to works that are being carried out along Main Street in Portarlington at present.
The Sinn Fein Councillor made the comments as he called on the Council to replace the tarmacadam used in recent footpath repairs and replace the brick paving.
7 – Additional signage requested following traumatic collisions between deer and motorists on Laois road
A request for additional signage to warn motorists about deer crossing a Laois road has been approved.
The road in question is from the village of Ballybrittas back to the Montague Hotel.
8 – Kingston hits 1-10 as Laois battle hard to overcome tough Carlow challenge
The Laois footballers maintained their 100% record in Division 4 of the National League – but only after surviving a serious battle from Carlow in Dr Cullen Park.
Laois were five points down early in the second half after conceding a second goal but Laois responded with eight points in a row to take control of the game and the brilliant Paul Kingston, who finished with 1-10, made sure of the win late on with a goal.
9 – 15 transfers approved by Laois GAA ahead of the 2023 club season
Laois GAA have approved 15 transfers internally ahead of the 2023 club season.
Mountmellick are the big beneficiaries with four of the transfers coming to them.
10 – All smiles as Laois shop sells winning All Cash Spectacular ticket worth €200,000
It was a day of huge celebrations at Lotto HQ in Dublin after two separate syndicates from Dublin and Laois claimed in excess of €500,000 in combined prizes.
The Laois syndicate, who have opted to remain anonymous, won from a €10 All Cash Spectacular ticket.
