Caroline Allen
Caroline Allen is a freelance journalist based in Portlaoise. She has written for numerous local and national publications and lives outside Portlaoise with her husband Martin and sons Evan and Colin
Portlaoise College students work to improve job opportunities for adults with autism
After learning that 85 per cent of adults with autism are either unemployed or under-employed, a group of students at Portlaoise College have been...
Laois man and girlfriend set to scale the heights of Kilimanjaro in aid of...
A Timahoe man and his girlfriend are raising funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Micheál Conlan and Kirsha Rice - students at Maynooth University who...
Weekend Read: Timahoe men’s choir hits a high note as they are set for...
“What’s not to like about meeting up with your friends in the pub on a Monday night?” queries Roghan Headen about Timahoe’s new men’s...
Weekend Read: Laois friends demonstrate drive with new food truck business
At a time when many restaurants are closing their doors, two young Laois men have gone against the grain and are expanding.
El Fuego, a...
From Denis O’Brien to London and back – Meet the New Laois Chamber Alliance...
Last week, Laois Chamber Alliance announced that Jackie Carroll has been appointed as their new CEO.
Succeeding Caroline Hofman, Jackie will aim to boost business...
The Laois woman rubbing shoulders with global music stars in Los Angeles
As tour production co-ordinator for Aerosmith and Lionel Richie, Los Angeles-based Fiona Marie Booth is used to rubbing shoulders with artists.
The trailblazing Laois woman...
Lights, camera, action as Portlaoise Panto Group set to take to the stage with...
Brimful of laugh out loud antics, song and dance, Portlaoise Pantomime Group’s production of ‘Cinderella’ will run at the Dunamaise Arts Centre from today,...
Weekend Read: Pioneering Ballyfin farm gives food for thought
"There is a food revolution occurring from the grassroots of farmers up, who are disillusioned with the current farming system. We are leading the...
From the Archives: The Portlaoise man who walked to Spain in memory of his...
This piece was originally published on LaoisToday on August 6, 2022.
A Portlaoise man has gone the distance to remember his beloved sister who died...
From the Archives: The story of the Laois man playing a key role in...
This piece was originally published on LaoisToday on November 12, 2022
A Laois man is playing a key role in the planning of the new...
‘When readers tell me they get lost in my books, I know I have...
A Laois man who for many years worked as a detective Garda, has now turned his hand to crime writing.
Ray Croke’s latest book ‘Bitter...
Laois rural pubs hit by lack of taxi services as numbers closing in the...
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...
Francie Gorman: ‘If you told me three months ago I’d be where I am...
His son, Tom’s, 10th birthday party at Roll and Bowl, Portlaoise, took more out of him than the previous five months on the IFA...
Portarlington film maker’s heartrending take on Christmas makes for compelling viewing
When acclaimed Portarlington documentary film maker Ken Wardrop was 12 years of age, his maternal grandmother who often stayed with the family, died on...
Tributes paid in Arles NS as long-serving teacher who became acting principal retires
Hailed as an ‘unwavering pillar’ of Arles National School for many years, Ms Catherine Lawlor’s dedication and guidance was highlighted recently as she celebrated...
New CEO of Laois Partnership: ‘The overall aim is to make Laois a better...
“The overall aim of what we do is make Laois a better place to live for all.” That’s the perspective of Caroline Lydon who...
Made in Dagenham: Child’s play at Portlaoise musical
Two local children are enjoying the spotlight as they perform in Portlaoise Musical Society’s ‘Made in Dagenham.’
Talented Oliver Treacy (10) and Aoife Cathcart (9)...
Shock at death of missionary priest Fr Seán Murphy just weeks after golden jubilee
Just a short time after he returned to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Rath, to celebrate his golden jubilee on October 14 last,...
‘Made in Dagenham’: Love of music continues to bring Ballyfin man back to the...
One of the standout talents of Portlaoise Musical Society is Ballyfin native Eoghan Fingleton whose love of music has endured since his childhood.
Eoghan (36),...
‘Made in Dagenham’ revved up and ready to go for Portlaoise Musical Society
Costing approximately €50,000 and involving around 100 people, Portlaoise Musical Society’s 2023 show ‘Made in Dagenham’ is revved up and ready to take to...
Concern CEO praises local volunteers and Laois woman gears up for yet another fundraising...
The newly appointed CEO of Concern Worldwide was in Portlaoise on Friday last to give a picture to dedicated local volunteer collectors of the...
Abbeyleix builds on 64 years of Tidy Towns’ effort for big win
“The win is a nice endorsement of good work delivered but the real motivation is to make things better for our community and create...
Work never stops as Abbeyleix continue to make strides as a sustainable town
Abbeyleix is now making significant strides as a green and sustainable town, according to Robbie Quinn, Tidy Towns chairman, fresh from their brilliant recent...
Weekend Read: New Laois Chamber Alliance president James McElwee on the potential of Laois
People regularly calling to the house for prescriptions and in one case, for lipstick late at night, are among the memories of the recently...
In Pictures: World Champion Irish dancer Ronan honoured at civic reception
A 20-year-old Crettyard-based world champion Irish dancer was honoured at a civic reception hosted by Laois County Council on Thursday last.
Ronan Brennan is originally...
In Pictures: Fr Seán Murphy returns to Rath to celebrate golden jubilee
Fifty years after he was ordained there, Fr Seán Murphy returned to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Rath, on Saturday last to celebrate...
Young woman missing after attacks in Israel has been a regular visitor to Laois
A 22 year-old woman who is missing in Israel after Hamas militants launched a series of surprise attacks on Saturday, has been a regular...
In Pictures: County twinning with Tennessee addresses opportunities and challenges
A delegation from the county of Williamson, Tennessee, in the US, which is twinned with Laois, has made contact with Laois IFA with a...
Mountmellick shocked and saddened by loss of Bríd O’Mahony
The unexpected death of Bríd O’Mahony (nee Monaghan) from Ashgrove, Mountmellick, on Monday, September, 25, following a brief illness, just months after the passing...
From Portlaoise to Paris – Colleagues embrace pedal power to raise money for Down...
A four-day charity cycle covering a distance of 540km from Portlaoise to Paris got underway on Wednesday morning last, September 20.
The primary goal of...