Brought to you by Laois Tourism
It’s the final weekend before Christmas and the party season shows no sign of stopping with so much to do over the next 10 days.
There’s lots of music of all types, Santa is still around in Emo and Ballacolla for any last changes to the Christmas lists.
There are lots of chances to get out on some great walks around our beautiful county over the festive season.
Finally all of Laois Tourism would like to wish you and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
We’ve really enjoyed putting together the What’s On Guide and discovering so many amazing things to see and do all around the county. Here’s to a busy 2019!
THURSDAY DECEMBER 20
Busk for Cuisle
Get your friends and family together and come along to the Busk for Cuisle this Thursday evening, December 20 AT 5pm outside Kavanaghs Pub-Portlaoise on Main Street to raise funds for The Cuisle Centre Cancer Support.
There will be lots of local musicians playing and it promises to be a brilliant, fun, festive evening, suitable for all the family. All proceeds to the very deserving Cuisle Centre.
Christmas Jumper Night- Lilly’s Bar
Lilly’s Bar Portlaoise are have a fun Chirstmas Jumper night with prizes for the best Christmas jumper. Come along and enjoy the live music & DJ and a late bar from 9pm to 2am.
ABBA Forever
This is a great night out for all ABBA lovers. The Dunamaise Arts Centre hosts Abba Forever this Thursday night. A great way to get the Christmas season going with a high quality “feel good” production.
Tickets are €23/€20 and the show begins at 8pm.
James O’Connor – Live Music
Local musician James O’Connor plays Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue from 10pm. This is always a great favourite.
Traditional Music – The Heritage Hotel & Spa
Enjoy traditional music in the bar of the Heritage Hotel & Spa every Thursday night in December. It’s a lovely way to welcome the weekend.
There is no cover charge and the guys will be playing from 9.30pm-11. 30pm. For more information contact the hotel on 057 8645500.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 21
Pogueology
Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue hosts another local favourite Pogueology. This tribute act to The Pogues recreates the passion, energy and mayhem of The Pogues. T
ickets are extremely limited so move fast if you want to be there. Tickets cost €15 from here and gig begins at 9.30pm
Boots & Kats
Lennon’s Bar & Venue will be rocking Friday night with a serious production and Special Effects. It is set to be of the biggest events of the year from and one of the hottest acts in the country.
Tickets are €11 and there isn’t too many left so grab them here. Gig begins at 10pm.
Durrow Fusion Laois Christmas Ball Teen Disco
The Castle Arms Hotel is hosting a teenage disco to kick off the Christmas festivities. This is strictly a non-alcoholic event with top tunes and great craic.
There will be the usual freebies of minerals and popcorn. The disco runs from 8.30pm-11.30pm. Tickets are € 15 , to purchase see in SuperValu.
Primary School Christmas Disco
As a fundraiser for Naomh Eamann Camogie Club a Christmas disco will be held in Castletown Community Centre. The disco is for primary school children and will run from 6-8pm and costs €5 per child.
Carol Service – Camross
The annual carol service will take place in the parish centre Camross at 7pm. Following a wonderful carol service there will be a mulled wine and mince pies reception. A perfect festive event.
Santa Claus in Ballacolla
Santa Claus is coming to town! Manor Stone Garden Centre is all ready to host Santa and provide a magical experience for young and old.
Come along to the elf village with lots of fun & games, photo ops and light refreshments. Book a slot to visit Santa, make sure you have your list and you’ve been good.
Costs €10 per child with various times available between Friday 3pm-7pm and 1pm-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Phone Freda on 085 807 0278 to book.
Ceolchoirm Nollaig 2018
The Annual Spink Comhaltas Christmas concert will be held in Knock Community Hall from 6:30pm-9:30pm. All are welcome.
Christmas Jumper Night – Sheeran’s Coolrain
There will be lots of fun and creative creations at Sheeran’s Bar Coolrain. Lots of prizes on the night for the best jumpers. Music and sing song guaranteed.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 22
Kids’ Christmas Cupcake & Bake your own Santa Cookies Classes
Get ready for Santa this Saturday in The Kitchens, MDA – Mountmellick Make estive cupcakes (decorated), Cookies for Santa, Reindeer food for Rudolph & team.
All equipment & ingredients provided. Refreshments will be served during both classes. Book both classes for discount – €30 per child, €20 per sibling.
€20 /€15 per child – depends on class 10am-1pm (Cupcake class) 1.15pm-3pm (Santa Cookies) To book visit here.
The Fanzines
The Fanzines play Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue this Friday night. There is no cover charge and the gig kicks off at 10pm.
Aslan – ‘Feel No Shame’
Aslan are back in Portlaoise for their 30th anniversary tour. Another very popular band with Laois audiences so act quick if you haven’t got tickets.
The gig is running in Midlands Park Hotel and tickets cost € 27. Doors open at 8pm and Aslan are on stage at 9pm. Tickets are on sale from the hotel reception.
Santa’s Grotto Emo Court
Santa’s back in Emo this weekend and he’ll be there on certain dates until the 24th Dec. Each child will be greeted by Ellie Elf & brought to Santa’s beautiful grotto where they will help Mrs Claus prepare her cookies, have a chat with Santa & receive a gift.
Afterwards, they will have hot chocolate & a cookie in the Tea Rooms. €15 per child. Adults go free. Booking by prior reservation. Ph: 057 8633964 (9.30am-16.00pm)
Kora Griffin – Live Music
Kora Griffin plays Sheeran’s Pub Coolrain this Saturday night. There is no cover charge and gig begins at 10pm.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23
Emo Village Christmas Market
The evening Christmas market at Emo Village is a lovely way to ease into the Christmas celebrations. Come along and browse the stalls and soak up the Christmas atmosphere. Starting from 6pm. For more information call 087 780 3970.
Transmitter – 5th Annual Christmas Craic’r.
The ever popular Transmitter plays a special gig this Sunday at Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue. It will very special evening from 7pm.
This year the band have decided to combine their usual brand of music, hell-raising and general tomfoolery with the School Tour to raise much needed funds for the Kolbe Special School In Portlaoise.
Tickets are €12 from the venue. There will also be several additions to the night to give you that extra bang for buck.
Stradbally Town Xmas Draw & Party
The Xmas Draw and Party is aways a top night to kick-off the Xmas festivities. Hosted by Stradbally Town AFC there will be live music by The Shamrockers, finger food and €300 first prize up for grabs! So come along to Napper Tandys from 8pm for a great night.
Big Spoon Christmas Party – Live Music
Andy Bergin’s Bar hosts the Big Spoon Christmas party. With lots of great live music and craic from 7pm.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 25
Christmas GOAL Mile
The GOAL Christmas mile takes place from 10am to 12 noon on Christmas morning in Oakvale Woods, Stradbally.
Whet your appetite for dinner with a walk, jog or run one mile for charity. All donations welcome.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is The Durrow Leafy Loops Walk. This walk is a Grade B 14km walk and takes 4 hours so a good level of fitness is required.
Meeting point is at Castle Arms Hotel at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership.
Ballyroan Abbey’s Annual St Stephens Day 5km Run
Why not join the annual St Stephen’s day 5k fun run where you can work off the Christmas dinner and swap Santa stories.
Lots of prizes for adults and juvenile runners on the day with refreshments served after in the community hall. Registration from 10.00 run begins at 11am sharp.
Laois Hospice Annual St Stephen’s Day Walk
Join the annual mountain walk for Laois Hospice in Clonaslee on St Stephen’s day. There will be 2 walks with the longer one beginning at 12 noon and the shorter one at 1pm.
Registration is at the Clonaslee Community Centre before both walks. Sponsorship/ donations are requested on the day.
Gathabawn Loop St Stephen’s Day Walk
Another annual charity walk and a great excuse to get out and about! This year’s charities are Lisdowney Saint Vincent De Paul and Gathabawn Rural Development Group. There are two loops, one is the full 12km and the shorter one is 7km.
The walk begins at 12 noon and registration takes place at Mackey’s Bar from 11.30am. Soup will be provided for all walkers at the end.
The Jury – Live Music
Another favourite play Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue St Stephen’s Night. There is no cover charge and the gig begins at 10pm.
Kora Griffin
Kora Griffin is back in Sheeran’s Pub, Coolrain with live music from 10pm. There is no cover charge
THURSDAY DECEMBER 27
Derryounce Festive Family Walk
Walk off the Christmas excesses with a lovely festive 6km walk around Derryounce Woods. Registration is from 11am at Marion Hill entrance to the woods with the walk beginning at 11.30am sharp.
Light refreshments will be held at the half way point and the organisers are suggesting that you wear your Christmas jumper or hat to add to the fun of the day.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 28
Annual Clonenagh Tractor Run
Sheeran’s Bar Coolrain is the start and finishing point for the annual 6k run, walk or jog at 11:30am. The vintage car, Honda 50 & tractor run begins at 1:50pm. There will be music and craic galore for the night, so a great day to be enjoyed in the village.
The Valves – Live Music
The Valves play Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue at 10pm there is no cover charge.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 29
Done & Dusted – Live Music
Done & Dusted play Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue from 10pm. No cover charge.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 30
Transmitter
Transmitter return to Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue from 9pm. The gig costs € 5
HOLLABACK in Durrow
The Harps GAA present Hollaback from the people who brought you Smash Hits as they present HOLLABACK, playing nothing but noughties. The gig begins at 10pm Lennon’s Bar & Venue. For tickets information contact Lennon’s.
Slieve Bloom Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is Brittas Lake & Castlecuffe Woodland Walk. This walk is a Grade B 12km walk and takes 4 hours so a good level of fitness is required.
Meeting point is at Castle Arms Hotel at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership.
MONDAY DECEMBER 31
HOLLABACK New Year’s Eve Party
Ring in the New Year with the people who brought you Smash Hits as they present HOLLABACK, playing nothing but noughties.
Tickets are € 13.50 and the gig begins at 10pm in Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue. For tickets see www.ticketweb.ie.
Timmy Chambers – Live Music
Timmy Chambers is ringing in the New Year in Sheeran’s Pub, Coolrain. This one-man show will have the place rocking from 10pm.
If you would like to have something included in our What’s On Guide email us on info@laoistoday.ie or call 057 8670722
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Retired Portlaoise Hospital porter turns home in Christmas wonderland
