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
Meet the Laois woman who injected some creativity into her retirement with fabulous results
A former anaesthetist is injecting lots of creativity into her retirement.
Kate Ramsbottom from Ratheniska who worked at both Portlaoise and Tullamore hospitals, now crafts...
Laois man seeking to achieve World Record for charity fundraiser at Ploughing Championships
Dairy farmer turned massage therapist Patrick Kelly from Castletown will attempt to set a world record in driving a tractor and trailer in reverse...
‘We want Laois Pride to be as big and successful for the community as...
“I’m so excited to say that this week is the first ever Laois Pride,” said Shauna Golden, co-chair of the initiative.
Originally from Athlone, Westmeath,...
Electric Picnic remembers one of its biggest fans as ‘Buddy’s Lane’ opened
One of Electric Picnic’s biggest fans was poignantly remembered this year as ‘Buddy’s Lane’ was created on the woodland route from Pink Moon crossroads...
Meet the Laois woman playing a big role the 20th anniversary celebrations of the...
A Stradbally native is at the centre of planning for the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris – The Centre...
Laois Celtic trad punk band The Outcast Crew set to rock Spike Island at...
Celtic trad punk band The Outcast Crew will take to the Spike Island stage at 1.30am on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
The Laois band comprises: Brian...
Meet the Laois indie rock band getting ready to wow the crowds at Electric...
Having played Electric Picnic in 2014, indie rock band, The Lost Messiahs, are thrilled to find themselves back at Stradbally Hall, playing the word...
Laois brothers set to kick off Electric Picnic on Spike Island Stage on Friday
With musical talent on both sides of the family, it’s little wonder that brothers Hugh and Ciarán Finn from Rathdowney, who will play the...
Thomas Cosby: ‘It’s a working weekend for us and we have to look after...
“I missed it for the last two years, but it has come back with a bang and got a bit bigger,” said Thomas Cosby...
Meet the Laois woman who is an author and a very successful dairy farmer
Growing up, it was never Lorna Sixsmith’s intention to farm. Today the author and dairy farmer milks 160 cows at Garendenny, Crettyard, alongside her...
Laois farming couple receive joint honoury life membership of Irish Farmers’ Assocation
A Ballybrittas farming couple received joint honorary life membership of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) at a function in the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise, recently.
Tillage...
Full steam ahead for Anna May as countdown is on for National Ploughing Championships
Her working days kick off from 7.30am and she is busy late into the night. The powerhouse that is octogenarian Anna May McHugh, managing...
In Pictures: Camogie memories with Anna May as Ballylinan crew gather for reunion
Carefree days of changing into playing kit behind open car doors and in ditches, and trips to Belfast and other parts of the country...
New to the Area: Ukrainian family in Portlaoise building a new life and immersing...
A Ukrainian family living in Portlaoise has got involved with the local Tidy Towns effort in a bid to give something back to the...
Alan Meredith – the Mountmellick designer seeking to grow his international custom base
While most of designer Alan Meredith’s striking installations and furniture end up in private collection, often outside the country, he has exhibited at Electric...
From the Borris Road to a Dublin art gallery owner – the story of...
Commuting from Mountrath to the capital where his eponymous art gallery is a key part of the cultural scene, is “challenging but doable,” says...
Cars, tractors and motorbikes to hit the road this weekend as Laois Vintage Run...
Vintage cars, tractors and motorbikes are all set to roll out in sun soaked style for the Laois Vintage Limited sponsored road run in...
A legend of the Irish dancing scene – the incredible career of Gabrielle Lynam
When Portlaoise woman Gabrielle Lynam was born in 1957, her feet were turned upwards, and she had to wear calipers.
“My mother brought me...
The story of the Portlaoise man who walked to Spain in memory of his...
A Portlaoise man has gone the distance to remember his beloved sister who died from stomach cancer during the pandemic, and to raise funds...
Inside story of life as a prison officer in Portlaoise makes for riveting read
For the vast majority of people who lived in Portlaoise over recent decades, little was known about the goings on in the town’s maximum-security...
Back in business: Laois cake shop owner delighted to re-open after battling cancer
From crunching the numbers to having her cake and eating it, Sarah Walsh followed her passion in opening Miscellany Cakes.
Today (Friday, July 29),...
The Sunday Interview: The retired Portlaoise garda who is now an author of thriller
Behind closed doors in scenic Fisherstown, a scribe toils on action-packed plots that probe the nefarious world inhabited by Detective Superintendent Kate Bowen. She’s...
Our Wedding Story: Chantelle Murphy and Rory Coss
Working in The Blow Dry Parlour in Portlaoise, you’d be forgiven for thinking that getting glammed up for her big day would release Chantelle...
The Sunday Interview: The young Portlaoise man with a string of local businesses
At just 30 years of age, Portlaoise man David Finn is a serial entrepreneur who has built up a string of local businesses without...
The Sunday Interview: A new challenge for Aileesh after life in Ballyfin Demesne
Having established what has been dubbed ‘the world’s best hotel’ at Ballyfin Demesne, Aileesh Carew has moved on to become sales and marketing director...
Our Wedding Story: Mary Gallagher and Liam Phelan
Portlaoise couple Mary Gallagher and Liam Phelan - who tied the knot on August 19 last year - are the first to feature on...
Portlaoise chocolatiers all set for Valentine’s Day
Forget France and Belgium, a creative contemporary chocolatier in Portlaoise is tasting success, thanks to its handmade confections.
And they're bracing themselves for a busy...
New baby and a busy business – hectic times for Heidi Higgins
With a new baby and a spring/summer collection just launched, life is full-on for Portlaoise fashion designer, Heidi Higgins. Little Matilda Maher – Heidi...