1 – Mary Wheatley Interview: Political life, ladies football and breaking the glass ceiling – a truly remarkable woman
We recently headed down to South Laois and were welcomed into the home of Mary Wheatley.
Mary lives in Doonane which is located just outside Crettyard and Newtown. She was a Councillor from 1985 – the first ever woman.
2 – Charlie McDonald Interview: The Ballyroan man who served as a councillor, Senator, TD and MEP
The old Chinese proverb, ‘May you live in interesting times’, is particularly apt for Charlie McDonald, the Ballyroan man who represented the people of Laois in the Council, the Dáil, the Seanad and in Europe.
He turns 89 next week and ahead of this Friday’s Local and European Elections he welcomed us into his home. His mind is sharp and his memory for detail is impeccable as he reflects on his life and times across the course of a wonderfully engaging chat.
3 – Several new ASD classes announced for Laois primary and secondary schools
Six Laois primary schools and four secondary schools have been approved for additional ASD classes.
These classes will help children with autism integrate into the traditional school system while also providing the full range of support that they need.
The schools availing of these services are Arles NS, Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix, Ballylinan NS, Scoil Eoin Phoil Naofa Ballyroan, Scoil Bhríd Rathdowney and St Joseph’s, Borris-in-Ossory.
4 – Death occurs of highly-respected Portlaoise business man Joe Cunneen
The death has occurred of Joe Cunneen, the Portlaoise-based business man who established Centrepoint Carpets.
Originally from Cork, Mr Cunneen opened Centrepoint Carpets in February 1990 after Shaws shut down their carpet section.
5 – From Rosenallis, to international rugby and on to Croke Park – the remarkable story of David Dooley
For some members of the Laois senior hurling panel, Saturday’s Joe McDonagh Cup final against Offaly will be the first time that they will have ever played in Croke Park.
This is the case for David Dooley but the talented forward is well used to stepping outside the norm.
6 – Celtic Challenge: Townsend goal and Fogarty scores crucial as Laois defeat Mayo for Division 3 glory
A 55th minute Liam Townsend goal was music to Laois’s ears as they claimed the Corn Michael Robinson Celtic Challenge U-17 title at the GAA National Development Centre on the National Sports Campus in Dublin.
The Harps clubman fired the vital score in this keenly contested encounter, which saw Mayo really put it up to Brian Flanagan’s charges.
7 – Strong Laois links to Offaly U-20 hurling success
There were a number of Laois links with the Offaly U-20 hurling team that claimed All Ireland glory on Saturday evening.
Offaly were 2-20 to 2-14 winners over Tipperary in front of a full house in Nowlan Park in Kilkenny for what was their first ever win at the grade.
8 – 2024 Local Elections: Count by count – How Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick was decided in 2019
To look at how a vote might go in this year’s Local Elections, one of the best starting points is the last election.
And the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District in 2019 was a real blockbuster – with all six outgoing councillors contesting again and two very strong first-time candidates arriving to really shake things up.
9 – Laois County Councillors accused of ‘election stunt’ with June 7 almost upon us
There was a huge dispute between councillors of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, with the Fianna Fáil councillors accused of “an election stunt” by their political rivals.
The issue, which stemmed from an annual fund available to each of Laois’s three Municipal Districts, spilled over into the May meeting of Laois County Council.
10 – Leinster Hurling League: Penalty shoot-out drama as Camross fail to retain Division 1 title
There was plenty of drama at the end of what was a very low scoring affair between Camross and Tullaroan in their Leinster League Division 1 final today in St Brendan’s Park, Birr.
After trailing by five points at the break Camross came out for the second half and allowed Tullaroan very few scoring opportunities while making the most of the ones they got themselves.
