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.
Peace prevails as €78m Laois Budget is approved
They met at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month and Laois County Councillors set aside any political differences or...
Death occurs of Bernie Daly proprietor of popular Portlaoise tavern
Bernie Daly who died on Monday was the former proprietor of one of the region’s best known and most popular pubs.
Bernie, who was pre-deceased...
Sadness as master butcher, publican and champion athlete passes away
Loughlin Delaney who has passed away after a long illness was well known in business and athletic circles throughout Laois. He was 65.
Better known...
Clonaslee College a buzz with science, biodiversity and building for the future
They don’t hang around in Clonaslee College.
This is Science Week and Clonaslee is a buzz of activity and excitement as they have lined up...
Subversive poet Arthur Broomfield likes to keep it surreal
Poets get away with murder. Arthur Broomfield certainly does.
In this age of oppressive political correctness Arthur takes poetic licence and stretches it so far...
Dessie Brennan – the only medal he wants is another senior title for Joseph’s
Dessie Brennan is a legend.
No, that’s a bit of an understatement. He’s a living legend. A legend in his own lifetime.
That’s the sort of...
DUP jibe taken as a slur at Laois meeting
The Chinese have a saying that there is nothing under the sun that is not political.
And so it is. Even the make-up of Strategic...
Cocaine is everywhere in Laois is stark Garda warning
Cocaine is everywhere in Laois. Possession of drugs offences in Laois so far this year are up by a quarter.
That’s the stark warning from...
Garda alert – beware of dark evenings, bogus callers and stolen bikes
The good news is that thefts in Laois are down significantly in the first nine months of this year, registering a fall from 987...
New Senator from Laois-Offaly takes up post today
Laois-Offaly has a new Senator.
Green Party councillor, Pippa Hackett from Geashill, was elected to the post unopposed on Friday last, November 1, which was...
Check this out mate, a Laois chess tournament
So check this out! What a great idea.
A junior chess tournament for all primary school children in Laois.
The event is the brainchild of the...
Election posters ‘an important part of the democratic process and creating public awareness’
Politicians in favour of the continued use of election posters during future campaigns have set out their reasons for doing so in no uncertain...
Laois man was world renowned cinematographer
Jack Conroy who has died in Naas was a world renowned cinematographer, who at the height of his career was a much sought after...
No posters, no thanks, we’ll pass here in Laois
Yet another attempt to have election posters prohibited in Laois has gone down in flames.
Cllr Noel Tuohy is the poster boy for the ‘No...
Winter gritting costs Laois €500k but for some it’s just salt in the wounds
Winter is coming.
The clocks are gone back; the evenings are bet and there’s a frosty bite in the mid-term mornings.
But Laois County Council are...
‘Disgrace’ and ‘minefield’ of ‘bullying’ vulture funds needs to be tackled
The role that vulture funds are playing in repossessions, homelessness, buying up housing stock and tax avoidance needs to be investigated.
That’s the view of...
Laois man at the heart of the action in West Cork
This piece was first published on the LaoisToday website on July 21, 2019.
Laois is no stranger to people who arrive in the county to...
Laois family at the centre of High Court swine flu test case
A well-known and highly respected Laois family are at the centre of the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix case currently running before the High Court.
The...
Fancy a surf? 6 tips from Laois Surfers to get you started
They said it couldn’t be done!
And in all fairness the idea of a Laois Surf Club is right up there and as highly unlikely...
John Whelan: Clendennen withdrawal marks another twist in Laois-Offaly general election saga
There’s not a sign of a poster, or the hint of a date, much less a vote cast, but the drama surrounding the build-up...
Abbeyleix Bog set for further national exposure on TV today
The story of Abbeyleix Bog continues to woo audiences nationally and is set to feature yet again on TV.
The ongoing success of the heritage...
Effort to block apartments in Portlaoise development fails
Despite extensive objections from numerous residents in the area, Laois County Council have sanctioned plans for a new social housing development on the Abbeyleix...
Leaves Festival of Writing and Music programme in Laois a real page turner
The programme for this year’s Leaves Festival of Writing and Music programme, the festival of writing and music is a real page turner.
Celebrating the...
Cost of street lights and ramps continue to soar
Building inflation is back with a bang it seems and apparently no one wants to do a small job again.
As County Councillors wrestle with...
Dozens of boom time Laois estates left in limbo
Ghost estates that blighted many Laois towns after the banking and property crash of a decade ago may be banished, but the problems still...
13 new rural CCTV schemes approved for Laois
Good news this week for communities right across the county who have been fundraising and preparing to establish CCTV Schemes in their localities.
There had...
Laois Gardai were diverted to Drogheda to tackle gang feud
There are extra Garda on duty across Laois, there is a greater Garda visibility and there will be additional Garda deployed in the county...
Pauline Madigan upbeat and determined to run for Fianna Fáil
To paraphrase the famous quote, rumours of her political demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Pauline Madigan, has defiantly confirmed her...
After 54 years a new Garda HQ complex confirmed for Portlaoise
A new Garda Divisional headquarters building complex has been announced for Portlaoise.
The long overdue breakthrough for the development of a modern and fit-for-purpose Garda...
Local candidate poised to win Senate seat
A local candidate is in pole position to win the upcoming Seánad bye-election.
Cllr Pippa Hackett from Geashill and an Offaly County County Councillor having...