1 – ELECTED: Laois man Francie Gorman confirmed as new president of the IFA
Laois man Francie Gorman has been elected as the new president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
After an extensive campaign Gorman was elected at Tuesday’s count in the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin.
2 – In Pictures: Laois primary school teacher launches brand new sports book
A new sports book has been launched by a Laois primary school teacher.
The launch was held on Wednesday, December 6, at Kavanagh’s of Main Street in Portlaoise.
3 – Clough-Ballacolla turn to club legends to manage senior hurlers for 2024 season
Clough-Ballacolla have gone internal and will have two club legends on the line with their senior team for 2024.
Willie Hyland has been appointed as boss for the coming season and he will be assisted by fellow stalwart Mick McEvoy.
4 – Two Laois rugby players included in Ireland underage squad
Two young Laois rugby players have been included in the Ireland U-18s schools squad ahead of next year’s Six Nations.
Jack Deegan from Ballyadams and Lee Fitzpatrick from Portarlington have both been named in the training squad that was announced by Irish Rugby this week.
5 – In Pictures: ‘Winter Wander’ around Abbeyleix proves a popular success
Laois PPN Member Groups received a warm welcome for ‘Winter Wander’, a guided tour of Abbeyleix – winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2023.
The guided tour was held in collaboration with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns.
6 – Laois rural pubs hit by lack of taxi services as numbers closing in the county increase
Not only do rural Laois pubs face the usual challenges of a fall-off in customers due to tougher drink driving laws and the legacy of Covid but they are badly affected by the lack of taxi services operating outside Portlaoise.
This is according to Diarmuid Casey, secretary of the Laois branch of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.
7 – Winner confirmed following first ever LaoisToday QuizCast live final
Brian Hogan has been confirmed as the first ever winner of the inaugural LaoisToday QuizCast competition.
He was crowned the champion after coming out the right side in the final against Murt Norton.
8 – John Whelan: A fond farewell for Shane, a folk hero like no other from Soho to Shinrone
“It was a rainy night in Dublin. We spilled out onto Dame Street.
“Oblivious of the spills of rain and spray from the passing traffic we were already soaked to the skin, from the inside out. Sweating.”
9 – Inspirational Laois woman completes 250th parkrun to celebrate her 70th birthday
The banks of the Grand Canal at the small picturesque village of Vicarstown were buzzing on Saturday morning where the weekly parkrun had a small bit more significance than usual.
More than 150 people were in attendance for the 9.30am 5km parkrun – where the wonderful Noeleen Condron from Killeshin completed her 250th parkrun.
10 – Laois man raises more than €13,000 following Ultra Marathon in memory of his late friend and teammate
Jamie Malone from Graiguecullen ran the Longford Ultra Marathon back in August in memory of his friend, Paddy Branagan.
Paddy, also from Graiguecullen, died unexpectedly in the United States in May of last year and Jamie has raised €13,095 in his memory.
