John Whelan
John Whelan has been a journalist, commentator, columnist, political analyst, campaigner, politician and publisher ever since he was 17. Having been Editor of the Leinster Express, Offaly Express and the Leinster Leader he has also contributed extensively on a number of issues to all of the country's flagship titles and programmes including the Irish Press, The Irish Independent, the Star, the Sunday Independent, the Sunday Business Post, The Sunday Times and Prime Time. He is founder of Communicate Ireland a PR, public affairs, event management and media services company.
He is the author of the popular camping blog, Vanhalla - Camper Heaven.
John Whelan: A fond farewell for Shane, a folk hero like no other from...
It was a rainy night in Dublin. We spilled out onto Dame Street.
Oblivious of the spills of rain and spray from the passing...
From the Archives – 1985 Election Memories: A Fianna Fáil landslide, first woman elected,...
This piece originally featured on LaoisToday on April 22 2019.
The local elections of 1985 in Laois were the most significant and dramatic in more...
From the Archives – Wired with Whelan: Celebrating the great Jim Yorke, a photographer...
This is an extract from Growing Pains and Growing Up, John Whelan's book celebrating 40 years in Journalism, published in 2018. It is available...
From the Archives – Election Memories: The turbulent 80s but Laois-Offaly resolutely remains Fianna...
This piece originally appeared on LaoisToday archives in the run up to the 2020 General Election. As this year is the 40th anniversary of...
Laois woman at the heart of the gruelling Bristol Channel swim in support of...
On July 22, five middle aged women will set off in relay format to swim across the Bristol Channel at its widest point –...
John Whelan: Timahoe – a towering example of the delights on our doorstep
This piece by John Whelan originally appeared on his Vanhalla - Camper Heaven blog earlier this year.
We have learned many things and a great...
In Pictures: A sneak peek as Zach Tuohy’s Wandering Elk cafe prepares to open
Something is brewing on Bull Lane in Portlaoise. And it’s not just the smashing new pavements and cobblestones.
It’s got a buzz about it. A...
John Whelan: Celebrating the great Jim Yorke, a photographer who excelled in a different...
This is an extract from Growing Pains and Growing Up, John Whelan's book celebrating 40 years in Journalism. It originally appeared on LaoisToday in...
Election Memories: FF leave seat behind them as Sinn Féin make a gain in...
This piece by John Whelan originally appeared on LaoisToday on January 19, 2020, ahead of last year's General Election.
Although joined at the hip since...
Election Memories: FF meltdown makes way for Stanley in Laois-Offaly in 2011
This piece by John Whelan was originally published on LaoisToday on January 26, 2020, in the run up to last year's General Election.
Have you...
John Whelan: Timahoe – a towering example of the delights on our doorstep
We have learned many things and a great deal this past year.
One of them has to be to appreciate the appeal of attractions and...
John Whelan: The Slieve Blooms – a cut above the rest
Far off hills are greener, or so the saying goes.
But for my money the Slieve Blooms would more than hold their own with any, near or...
Weekend Read: Laois and midlands crying out for camping facilities
Laois is crying out for improved camping facilities. The dogs on the street are barking it.
It is not a problem, but rather a great...
Weekend Read: Lar Lynch and the big white lie at the heart of the...
Lar Lynch was a fabled publican in the Market Square, or the Top Square as it’s more commonly known in Portlaoise.
Just after 10 o’clock...
Election Memories: The turbulent 80s but Laois-Offaly resolutely remains Fianna Fáil country
This John Whelan piece originally appeared on LaoisToday in the run up to this year's General Election as part of our Election Memories series.
So...
2002 & 2007 Election Memories: The rise and fall of Parlon and the PDs
This piece by John Whelan was published on LaoisToday in January of this year ahead of the 2020 General Election.
In the spring of 2002...
Meet the Laois man who’s been at more All Irelands than most of us...
This piece originally appeared on LaoisToday in September 2019 before the All Ireland football final replay and the National Ploughing Championships.
There is ‘Dad joke’...
1991 Election Memories: Liam Hyland champion of rural Ireland; Cathy Honan’s Senate term, the...
This piece by John Whelan originally appeared on LaoisToday ahead of last year's Local Elections
‘Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose’, the more...
2009 Election Memories: End of the Bertie era, end of the PDs, demise of...
This piece originally featured on LaoisToday on May 12 2019.
When Bertie Ahern won his hat-trick of general elections and was installed for his third...
1999 Election Memories: The count that ended up in court as Fianna Fáil glory...
This piece originally featured on LaoisToday on May 6 2019.
If it’s nail-biting drama, excitement and intrigue you are looking for, forget about the Game...
2014 Election Memories: Carnage even before the off, FF and FG power sharing, a...
This piece by John Whelan originally featured on LaoisToday on April 28, 2019, ahead of the Local Elections.
In the biggest blow to local government...
35 things we learned in the Coronavirus pandemic – 3 minute read … now...
With the world almost entirely shut down and unrecognisable from what it was just a couple of short weeks ago, John Whelan has put...
2004 Election Memories: No TDs, some PDs, a Sinn Féin breakthrough and a split...
This piece by John Whelan originally featured on LaoisToday on April 15 2019 ahead of last year's Local Elections.
While the country was still basking...
Fond memories and warm tributes for renowned vintage enthusiast
There have been glowing tributes and fond memories recalled following the death of one of Portlaoise town’s most senior citizens.
Joe Ryan from the Abbeyleix...
1979 Election Memories: The men in suits, the dealing in Donoghues, and Charlie McDonald...
Forty years ago in 1979 the first ever direct elections to the European Parliament were held in tandem with the local elections on June...
On yer bike – Laois gears up to improve safety and facilities for cyclists
Good news for cyclists and cycling enthusiasts in Laois this week as there are plans to increase and improve cycle lanes and other bike...
High speed broadband is coming at last – and a Laois man will deliver...
Sure, there have been lots of promises and lots of delays when it comes to high-speed broadband. But a solution seems finally in sight.
The...
Manager invited to visit Laois town ‘some dark night’
It sounds ominous alright.
But it’s not as sinister or salacious as it might first appear.
But yes, the Chief Executive of Laois County Council, John...
Concerns over privacy at County Hall ‘confession boxes’ to be addressed
Serious concerns about how members of the public are treated in terms of privacy, dignity and confidentiality at the local authority offices at County...
Laois trip to the States for St Patrick’s Day to proceed despite detractors
An official trip to the United States by a small Laois delegation on the occasion of the St Patrick’s Day festivities is going ahead,...