1 – Huge shock as Laois priest’s horse romps to victory on Day 2 of Cheltenham
There has been a huge shock and Laois success on Day 2 of the Cheltenham horse racing festival.
Lecky Watson romped to glory in the Brown Advisory Novices´ Chase at 2pm at odds of 20/1.
2 – Portlaoise CBS twins crowned winners of Laois Student Enterprise Awards for 2025
Two students from Portlaoise CBS were crowned the overall winners at the Laois Student Enterprise Awards this week.
Conor and Ross Dunne impressed the judges with their project Mooving.ie.
3 – Promising young Laois jockey with ringside seat for Cheltenham
The annual Cheltenham festival was centre stage this week and a young Laois woman had a ringside experience as she continued her apprenticeship in the horse-racing world.
Holly Dunne from Portlaoise is an apprentice jockey, based with Henry de Bromhead in Waterford, and is part of his team in the Cotswalds all week.
4 – Death occurs of well-known Portlaoise man Andy Molloy
The death occurred this week of Andy Molloy, a long-time resident of Mountmellick and a Portlaoise native, at the age of 85.
Mr Molloy was well-known through a range of community endeavours, including the Portlaoise Christmas Lights committee, The Rock National School, Mountmellick Traders Association and Portlaoise and Laois GAA.
5 – Laois town plagued by ‘rampant dumping’ and ‘yobs’ causing problems, local Councillor says
A Laois town is being plagued by “rampant dumping” and “yobs” causing problems in the area.
That is according to local Independent County Councillor James Kelly, who was speaking at the March meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District.
6 – In Pictures: Dinner Dance season concludes as Crettyard celebrate 2024 success
There were great celebrations this week as members of Crettyard GAA came together for a dinner dance.
The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel was the venue for what was one of the final dinner dances of the year.
7 – Fixture details confirmed for new-look Laois SHC
The schedule of games was confirmed for this year’s Laois SHC, which will have a new-look format and an increase in numbers to ten teams.
The championship will also start a week earlier than usual and the final will be two weeks later than it was in 2024, and will be the week after the senior football decider.
8 – Upward trend continues for new car sales in Laois despite a 15% nationwide decline
There were 205 new cars sold in Laois during the second month of the year, up over 4% from the 196 sold in February 2024 according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
While the car industry will welcome the 4.5% rise, it is significantly less than the increase seen in February 2024, which saw a rise of 21% here in Laois.
9 – Customer was king to Val McCartney as he retires after 44 years’ service
The farming community around Ballacolla gathered at the local Tirlán premises on Friday last to wish Val McCartney well as he retired after 44 years’ service.
Tirlán staff and farmers made presentations to Val for his outstanding customer service and dedication.
10 – LoveLaois Podcast: The Friday Panel joined by tillage farmer, brewery owner and now TV star – David Walsh-Kemmis
Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett sit down for this week’s Friday Panel podcast with a very special guest.
David Walsh-Kemmis of Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally joins the lads for a chat.
