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.
Clampdown on illegal dumping continues across Laois
This is Clean Up Laois Week and the local authority are redoubling their efforts to clamp down on illegal dumping across the county.
A whole...
New sports hall and TJ Doheny World Title fight in Town gets Council’s blessing
Portlaoise is a renowned sporting town and now local councillors have thrown their weight behind two further major sporting initiatives which they hope will...
Council throwing the kitchen sink at cleaning up Laois
Toilet bowls and cisterns, sofas, televisions, freezers, mattresses, you name it and it has been found dumped in the bogs, hedgerows, forest tracks and...
Project Manager sought for Laois Creative Ireland programme
Those with an interest, aptitude and suitable qualification will be interested in applying to project manage the 2019 Creative Ireland Programme in Laois.
The Arts...
Laois woman set to run in Local Elections for new political party Aontú
Brought to you association with People First Credit Union
Laois woman Sinéad Moore is to run for Peader Tobín’s new party, Aontú, in the upcoming...
Election Diary: Registering to vote, no election posters and delay on electronic tagging
Brought to you association with People First Credit Union
Are you registered to vote?
Are you registered to vote in the forthcoming local and European elections?...
Laois Minister embroiled in ‘bizarre’ drink-driving row
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is this morning at the centre of what he himself described as a “bizarre” drink-driving row, due to comments made...
Applications sought for Creative Ireland grant fund in Laois
The Laois Arts Office has notified that applications are now open for the Creative Ireland grant fund in the county.
Laois has been allocated €111,774...
Laois County Council reveal housing targets for 2019
Eighty-six housing units is the target set out for Laois County Council for this year. This is an increase on the 2018 target of...
Insurance burdens are driving Laois businesses to the wall
Hefty insurance bills and spiraling premiums are crippling small businesses and in some instances it is driving them to the wall.
Laois County Council...
Uproar over Respond housing deposit scheme
There was uproar at this week’s Laois County Council meeting over the revelation that the Respond Housing Agency are charging deposits to successful applicants.
The...
Brutal broadband the burning issue as it hits businesses and workers in Laois
Unreliable and poor quality broadband is the burning issue on the doorsteps as the canvassing for May’s local elections gets underway in earnest.
Councillors’ ears...
John Whelan: Don’t mind what they say, of course there’s an alternative Government
Remember 7 Days? Ok, Today Tonight then?
Today Tonight Election Specials with Basil Chubb, Brian Farrell and John Bowman. Now there’s an A-Team of number...
Well-known Portlaoise business honours 20-year-old gift voucher
There is no disputing but that we live in the digital age. Virtually everything is available online.
However, there is a downside to the digital...
Zach Tuohy ambitious as ever as he tackles his 10th Aussie Rules season
Time flies when you’re having fun. It certainly has for Portlaoise footballer Zach Tuohy. Where did the last ten years go?
This weekend Zach, the...
Tributes paid following sad passing of well-known Laois woman
The death has taken place of Mrs Mary Daly from Portlaoise. She was 92 years of age.
Mrs Daly is the mother of Fianna Fail...
Former Stradbally Rector is fondly remembered
The death has occurred of former Stradbally Church of Ireland Rector, the Very Rev William Beare.
He was highly regarded, much respected and fondly remembered...
Montague and Hazel Hotels to be retained as Direct Provision Centres
The Department of Justice have confirmed that both the Montague and Hazel Hotel are to be retained for use as Direct Provision Centres for...
New Laois pub all set to open doors for St Patrick’s weekend
If you are going to open a new pub what better time to do so than in time for the St Patrick’s weekend national...
Portarlington Councillor in running with five others for European nomination
Fianna Fáil will move this weekend to put in place its final selection of candidates for the forthcoming European Parliament elections.
The Party is going...
Children at the heart of Portlaoise St Patrick’s Day festivities
It’s less than a week away and the countdown is well and truly on for what promises to be one of the best ever...
In Pictures: Well done to John Dunne when it’s all said and done
It’s a scholarly work is John Dunne’s book. In plain speaking entitled, ‘A Book About Portlaoise’.
A beautifully crafted and caringly produced historical hardback which...
Official barrier to safety railings at pedestrian crossings
Local authority officials are opposed to the erection of any further safety railings at pedestrian crossing junctions councillors have been told.
While it used to...
Men’s Shed get stuck in on latest Triogue clean-up
“You can’t beat the meitheal of men working together,” asserts a determined Basil Mannion. Basil is the Community Water Officer for Laois and much...
Poetry continues to rhyme for Portlaoise author
What a wonderful lift I got when the postman arrived this morning in a snowy-slushy, yet-to-make-up-its mind spring season in Timahoe.
There it was, suitably...
Brakes put on Portlaoise land disposal
The clampers have been put on a proposal to sell off a site at Clonminham Industrial Estate for the time being at least.
The site...
Laois hits the right note with its own sound of music
The sound you hear in the background is the sweet music of success that is the Laois School of Music and its partner project,...
Calls for stricter curbs on knife crime
Calls have been made for stricter laws, such as mandatory sentences in an effort to curb knife crime.
The appeal was made to Justice Minister,...
Syrian families due to be housed in Laois this year
Over one hundred Syrian refugees will be accommodated in Laois later this year.
The Department of Justice and Equality has advised the local authority that...
Portlaoise housing estate left in ‘complete darkness’ by overgrown trees
One side of St. Brigid’s estate in Portlaoise is completely in the dark at night as the street lights are overgrown by trees.
The Council...