1 – #LoveLaois: The bakery helping to make Abbeyleix the food hub of Laois
For this week’s LoveLaois we made the trip to Abbeyleix to sample one of the most Instagramable food establishments in the county.
Mueller and O’Connell Bakery has been a staple of the town for a number of years now and its reputation has only grown around Laois thanks to their award-winning offerings and spectacular service.
2 – Fr Paddy: Time to think – RIP Kevin (Caoimhín) O’Neill
“Kevin was a giant of a man in so many ways,” Fr Paddy said.
Throughout his life in all things his role was one of captain; the eldest and proud captain of the O’Neill family whom he cherished and adored.
Captain of many teams and associations from hurling and all things GAA.
3 – Concerns raised as Mountrath in line for a newly designated Emergency Accommodation Centre
A local County Councillor has expressed his concerns regarding a Mountrath property being offered as an Emergency Accommodation Centre.
The six councillors in the Borris-Mountmellick Municipal District were informed recently in correspondence from Laois County Council.
4 – New Heywood principal is on home territory
With four young children, GAA playing and coaching commitments and a new job as principal of Heywood Community School, Eamon Jackman has a packed diary.
Growing up on a farm in Ballinakill, close to the Kilkenny border, in Barna, out the Castlecomer road, instilled a strong work ethic. He will bring all his multi-tasking skills to his new role on home territory.
5 – Laois woman with multiple sclerosis fundraising for life-changing treatment
Rayanne Dooley from Borris-in-Ossory was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a week after she turned just 22.
It took a few years to be diagnosed and due to covid it took even longer. Rayanne had multiple relapses and began losing mobility in her legs at an alarming rate.
6 – End of an era as Heywood CS principal Philip Bowe retires
Going to school with the Salesian Brothers in Ballinakilll had a lasting impact on him, according to the outgoing principal of Heywood Community School, Philip Bowe.
From the small parish of Moyne, Templetouhy, near the Kilkenny/Laois border, he was educated by the Salesians for fifth and sixth year from 1977/’78 and ‘78/’79.
7 – ‘Ireland’s easiest festival’ – Brilliant layout of Forest Fest shown in finalised map
Music lovers attending this year’s Forest Fest won’t need to walk 500 miles to see their favourite bands – as a finalised map of Ireland’s easiest festival shows.
More than 100 artists, including I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) duo The Proclaimers, will entertain almost 10,000 revellers a night as the family-friendly fiesta returns to Emo for its second year from July 21-23.
8 – Portarlington pushed all the way by St Joseph’s but hold on to win ACFL Division 1 title
Portarlington continued their dominance of the local club football scene in the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence at the weekend by getting the better of St Joseph’s in the ACFL Division 1 final.
It’s their fifth trophy to win in less than two years, following on from their three-in-row of Laois SFC titles – as well as the 2021 league success.
9 – Major obstacle on new Stradbally footpath ‘presents a serious hazard to pedestrians’
Laois County Council have delivered a new footpath linking Stradbally town to Oakvale cemetery on the N80 Carlow Road.
However, the project has not been smooth sailing.
10 – Shane Keegan: Rekindling tradition is key to bringing success back to Portlaoise GAA
New Laois GAA Head of Coaching and Games believes that it’s only a matter of time before Portlaoise are a considerable force once again in both codes in the county.
The Town have fallen a long way from the dominant position they once held.
From winning both senior hurling and football titles as recently as 2004, they are no longer a senior hurling club and their underage football success has completely dried up.
