Heritage Week in Laois

Fáinne Geal An Lae!

Date and Time: Saturday 13th August 2022, 7am - 11am

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: Abbeyleix Bog Car Park, Abbeyleix Manor Hotel R32 VE24

Description: A basic photography session (very) early in the day, held while walking in the scenic location of Abbeyleix Bog, before most everyone else is even awake yet! Your local Guide, will show you around the Killamuck Loop, a looped walk, popular with locals and visitors alike! Weather dependant, wear appropriate footwear. Loop walk is c 8km.

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087 1737852

 Link 

Pens, Parchment, Pigments and Patience!

Date and Time: Saturday 13th and Thursday 18th August 2022, 7pm-9pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: Columbanus Room, Church Of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix R32 KN53

Description: Step back in time, to the age of Monastic Ireland and have a go at using a Quill-Pen to write in the style of our ancestors. Learn about Zoomorphic and Anthropomorphic Art, that was used in such priceless treasures as the Book of Kells, as well as the ancient Ogham Alphabet. Numbers limited, so early booking is advised.

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

Open Day at Tenakill House

Date and Time: Sunday 14 ^th  August, 2pm

Organiser: Lalor Tenakill House Restoration Committee

Description: Tenakill House, Raheen, Abbeyleix, the ancestral home of one of the most prominent nationalist political families in Ireland was built c. 1770 and is now in the fifth year of restoration. The conservation to date has seensubstantial works to the exterior walls and further work is planned for 2022.

There will be an open day at Tenakill House, with a video of the house restoration project and tours of the house from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Location: Tenakill House, Raheen, Mountrath R32 X4W7

Contact: E  carmodys@gmail.com 

A Night Out With The Stars!

Date and Time: Saturday 13th and Saturday 20th August 2022, 11pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: Abbeyleix Bog, Manor Hotel Car Park, Abbeyleix, R32 VE24

Description: Come and look upwards and outwards, into the great unknown amid the natural dark sky setting of Abbeyleix Bog in County Laois. Learn about how to spot stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae plus other objects in the night sky over the course of this two-and-a-half hour workshop. Aimed at family groups. Numbers are limited, so early booking is recommended. Event is dependent on weather. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a torch.

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

Guided Walks of Abbeyleix Bog

Date and Time: Sunday 14th August and Friday 19th August both from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Organiser: BirdWatch Ireland Laois Branch and Abbeyleix Bog

Location: Abbeyleix Bog

Description: Guided walk of insects and birds of Abbeyleix Bog with Des Finamore (BWI) and Hugh Shepard (Abbeyleix Bog Project)

Contact: E  desfinnamore@eircom.net 

Gramophone Music at Emo Court

Date and Time: Sunday 14 ^th  August, 2pm

Organiser: OPW

Location: Tearooms, Emo Court, Emo R32 DTP8

Description: Come along and hear some lovely gramophone music at the Emo Court Tearooms.

Contact: E  emocourt@opw.ie 

Donaghmore Workhouse Open Day

Date and Time: Sunday 14th August, 2pm - 5pm

Organiser: Donaghmore Workhouse Committee

Location: Donaghmore Workhouse, Donaghmore, Co Laois R32 PC58

Description: Donaghmore Workhouse will hold an open day on Sunday 14th August from 2pm to 5pm for all to learn about the famine, with a short pageant during the afternoon. The day is free to all with tea and coffee available. The Workhouse and Agricultural Museum will be open all week, with 20% reduction on usual admission cost for Heritage Week.

Contact: E  trevorstanley92@gmail.com  T 086 - 8296685

Guided tour of Historic Portlaoise

Date and Time: Sunday 14th August, 3pm

Organiser: Laois Heritage Office

Location: Meet at JFL Statue, County Hall, Portlaoise R32 EHP9

Description: Guided tour of the history and heritage of Portlaoise Town, led by Michael Parsons of Laois Heritage Society, former chair of the Heritage Council of Ireland. This will be a walking tour at a gentle pace. The event is weather dependant.

Contact: E  ccasey@laoiscoco.ie 

Viciously Vexing vexillology

Date and Time: Sunday 14th and Friday 19th August 2022, 7pm - 9pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: The St. Columbanus Room., Church Of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix R32 KN53

Description: Come along and enjoy an evening, learning all about flags from throughout history and the modern age, all while designing and making your very own pin-on badges from safety pins and different coloured seed-beads! All materials are provided on the night!

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

Vintage Games Exhibition

Date and Time: Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th August 2022, 10am - 4pm

Organiser: Abbeyleix Heritage House

Location: Abbeyleix Heritage House, Ballyroan Rd, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix R32 H244

Description: V.I.N.T.A.G.E. is an event for kids and adults to experience a range of fun and historical toys and board games! Featuring classics such as chess, to the oldest board games known to exist, V.I.N.T.A.G.E. will have something for everyone! Perfect for families, couples or groups of children.

Contact: E  heritagehouseabbeyleix@gmail.com  T 057 - 8731653

Prep - Melt - Pour - Prise - Trim!

Date and Time: Monday 15th and Saturday 20th August 2022, 7pm-9pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: Columbanus Room, Church Of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix R32 KN53

Description: Have a go at metal-casting your very own Toy Soldier or Chess Piece from a wide range of choices! Learn how to prepare the mould; melt and pour the metal into it and apply the finishing touches to your masterpiece! Early booking is advised. All participants should be aged nine or older on the day of the Workshop. All materials and full instruction will be provided.

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

Guided Walks of Byrne Biodiversity Farm

Date and Time: Tuesday 16th August 2022, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4pm

Organiser: Patrick Byrne

Location: Patrick Byrne's Farm, Killabban Co Laois

Description: Guided walking tour of Patrick Byrne's farm, which is managed to benefit biodiversity. The farm walk will include information on planting and managing native hedgerows, managing for pollinators, beetle banks and other farm biodiversity management. Suitable for farmers, tidy towns groups, communities and individuals. Parking is limited on site, please car pool if possible. The event is free but booking is required. Please email Pat to book and for exact location details.

Contact: E  pat@byrnebiodiversity.ie  T 086-1952373

Furniture Upcycling Demo

Date and Time: Tuesday 16th August 2022, 11.30am

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Mountrath Library, Shannon Street, Mountrath, R32 D576

Description: Furniture Upcycling demonstration for adults – learn how to prep, paint and decorate your furniture. Booking required.

Contact: E  mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8756378

Dots, Dashes, Codes & Ciphers

Date and Time: Tuesday 16th August 2022, 7pm - 9pm and Sunday 21st August 2022, 7pm - 9pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: The St. Columbanus Room, Church Of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix R32 KN53

Description: Ever fancied yourself as a bit of a Secret Agent? Why not dip your toe into the oft-times murky waters of Spies and Secret Agents and find out all manner of interesting facts about codes and ciphers throughout history.  All materials will be provided. This is a very entertaining Workshop and although aimed at “Junior Agents”, adults get a lot of fun out of it as well so don’t be shy!

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

The Story of the Abbeyleix Fountains

Date and Time: Tuesday 16th August 2022, 7pm-9pm

Organiser: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns

Location: Heritage House, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix R32 H244

Description: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in conjunction with Abbeyleix Heritage House will present a "walk and talk" event to tell the fascinating story of the five public fountains which grace the streets of this heritage town. We will start with a slideshow in Heritage House followed by a guided walk through the heritage town to see the fountains and hear an update on our fountain restoration plan currently being undertaken by Richard McLoughlin of Lotts Architecture with the support of the Heritage Council. We will also launch our innovative GPS-led self-guided heritage trail which has been developed by Andy Kinsella of Winfopoint.

Contact: E  info@abbeyleixheritage.com  T (057) 873 1653

Doing Local History in Laois

Date and Time: Tuesday 16th August 2022, 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Organiser: Rua Research Location: Bloom HQ,Mountrath Description: Doing Local History in County Laois is a two-hour workshop that will look at ways for local communities to find historical sources and information to aid them in identifying historical, and archaeological projects to preserve and protect in their community. Contact: E ruaresearch@gmail.com

Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum Open Day

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 10am - 4pm

Organiser: Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum

Location: Mountmellick Museum, Irishtown, Mountmellick R32A0PK

Description: We invite you to enjoy our museum visitor experience, free of charge, including a welcome video and guided tours at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm, and 4pm. Hear the stories of Mountmellick's rich Quaker history, the Famine, Mountmellick Workhouse and the girls transported to Australia, Mountmellick Embroidery's original and contemporary exhibits and the dynamic women involved since 1825, and much  more! Enjoy our refurbished museum and view the latest additions to our collections. We will have information and booking forms for embroidery classes and workshops for the coming season, promoting it as a 'living craft'. Here at the museum, our origins are deeply rooted in the past, but our vision is firmly set on the future.

Contact: E  mountmellickmuseum@gmail.com  T 057 8624525

Hands on History - Making Prehistoric Pottery

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August, 10am - 11am

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Mountrath Library, Shannon Street, Mountrath, R32 D576

Description: A special hands on workshop for ages 4  to 13 years. Booking required.

Contact: E  mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8756378

Hands on History - Making Prehistoric Pottery

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 12.15pm - 1.15pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Abbeyleix Library, Market House , Main Street, Abbeyleix, R32CY65

Description: A special hands on workshop for ages 4 to 13 years. Booking required.

Contact: E  abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8730020

Biodiversity Guided Tour

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 2pm

Organiser: OPW

Location: Emo Court Gardens Emo R32C44V

Description: Join our gardener in period costume for a guided tour highlighting Biodiversity on Wednesday 17th Aug at 2.00pm

Contact: E emocourt@opw.ie T 057 - 8626573

Hands on History - Making Prehistoric Pottery

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 3pm - 4pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Durrow Library, Chapel Street, Durrow, R32 EP94

Description: A special hands on workshop for ages 4 to 13 years. Booking required.

Contact: E  durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8736090

Birds, bees and Biodiversity in Laois with Éanna Ní Lamhna

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 6pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Portlaoise Library, Lyster Square , Portlaoise, R32X702

Description: Join biologist, environmentalist, author and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna for a no-nonsense but humorous talk on the importance of local biodiversity and wildlife in Co. Laois. This is a free event, but places are limited, so booking is essential.

Contact: E  portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8622333

Historical Notes

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 7pm-9pm

Organiser: Sandymount Heritage

Location: Columbanus Room, Church Of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix R32 KN53

Description: March through time and discover how crucial the roles of musicians were in civilian and military life. Get your hands on a reproduction, historical, "Rope-Tensioned” Drum and learn some authentic period drum beats, while your Guide accompanies you on his Fife and eventually - His set of Píobmhór! Very hands on - Very interactive - Very Loud! Numbers are limited so early booking is highly advised.

Contact: E  sandymount.heritage@gmail.com  T 087-1737852

Famine Commemoration

Date and Time: Wednesday 17th August 2022, 7.30pm

Organiser: Errill Tidy Towns

Location: The Square Errill

Description: Unveiling of commemorative plaque and seat at the village centre, to mark the 175th anniversary of the establishment of a soup kitchen in Errill at the height of the Great Famine.

Contact: E patrickcleary1507@gmail.com

Literature at 11

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 11am

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Portlaoise Library, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, R32 X702

Description: A Special Heritage week edition of this regular series will feature local authors and writers

Contact: E  portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8622333

Mountmellick Swift Project

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 3pm

Organiser: Creative Ireland Laois

Location: Mountmellick Library O'Moore Street, Mountmellick R32 PX61

Description: Launch of the Mountmellick Swift project with a talk on swifts from Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland and a presentation on the planned public mural from Creative Ireland Laois.

Contact: E  alawlor@creativelaois.ie 

Cattle Drives, Crime Waves and Republican Police, Laois in the 1920s

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 6.30pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Mountrath Library, Shannon Street, Mountrath, R32 D576

Description: A local history talk by Terry Dunne, Laois Local Historian in Residence. Booking required.

Contact: E  mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8756378

Ballintubbert Garden Open Day

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 10am – 3pm

Organiser: Ballintubbert Gardens

Location: Ballintubbert Gardens and House Ballintubbert R14 E954

Description: To celebrate becoming Ireland's First Organic Certified Ornamental Garden, we are flinging the gates open on the 18th August for Heritage Week. Come and spend the day in this place of wellness and peace. Wander through the formal organic gardens, run wild in the long meadow, play hide and seek in the woodlands and perhaps play skittles in the Orchard. The good cups are out and we will be offering teas and coffees and sumptuous cakes from the pop up tea shop. Jenifer the head gardener will tell the story of the organic journey and how you can do the same at home. It does involve spraying but only with nettle and comfrey tea. Last visitors accepted at 3pm. Pre booking is essential  www.ballintubbert.com/experiences . Adults €10 euro and children under 12 free.

Contact: E events@ballintubbert.com T 087 3981191

The Ivo De Vesci Photographic Collection

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 6pm - 8pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Abbeyleix Library, Market House , Main Street, Abbeyleix R32CY65

Description: The Ivo De Vesci Collection documents the De Vesci family and landed estate in Laois from 1900-1957 and is a collection of local, social and national historical significance. Digitisation will have long term impacts by creating a preservation copy of a collection that is vulnerable and opening public access to a private collection. This two part event will feature presentations from Sinead Holland Local Studies Librarian on the digitising of the collection (supported by the Heritage Council), followed by a talk by Tom De Vesci on  Lady Emma De Vesci, her work and legacy.

Contact: E  abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8730020

Bridges of the Nore - A Laois Perspective

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August, 7pm

Organiser: Nore Vision

Location: Castletown Community Centre R32 F624

Description: Talk on Bridges of the Nore with Fred Hamond, Industrial Archaeologist, who has surveyed the bridges and mills of Laois

Contact: E  mags.morrissey@cklp.ie 

Lucy Franks and Helen Roe - Pioneers of Sustainable Heritage projects in Ireland

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 7pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Portlaoise Library, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, R32 X702

Description: A talk by local historian and former Laois Historian in residence Regina Dunne on the lives and achievements of two Laois ladies, Helen Roe of Mountrath  and Lucy Franks of Castletown.

Contact: E  portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8622333

Ronnie Mathews Archive Collection -

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August 2022, 7pm

Organiser: Laois County Library Service

Location: Portarlington Library, Main Street, Portarlington, Co. Laois, R32 PY58

Description: The archive collection of Portarlington historian Ronnie Mathews was  acquired by Laois County Council in 2021  . Ronnie Mathews, a well-known historian and author of several books on Portarlington, had collected documents, maps and artefacts relating to the town over his whole life, and the collection also includes some items collected by his father.

The material was   carefully archived and catalogued by the Laois County Library Service, and arrangements made for any necessary conservation. Funding was made available through the Creative Ireland Programme (2017 - 2022). Orla Connaughton, Archivist will give a presentation on the project and overview of the collection

Contact: E  portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8643751

Opening of Fado Faces Exhibition

Date and Time: Thursday 18th August, 7pm

Organiser: Dunamaise Arts Centre

Location: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise

Description: An exhibition celebrating the lives and stories of older people in Laois through a series of traditional portrait paintings and digital art by a selection of local artists, supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council..

Contact: E info@dunamaise.ie T 057 - 8663355

Bats about Rooks

Date and Time: Friday 19th August 2022, 8.30pm - 10pm

Organiser: Laois Heritage Office

Location: People's Park, Car Park, New Road, Portlaoise.

Description: Join Irish Wildlife Trust Laois Offaly Branch, BirdWatch Ireland and Kildare Bat Group for a walk through the People’s Park, Portlaoise. We will hear from Ricky Whelan about the Rookery just outside the park at the Downs, now known to be the largest roost in County Laois, and then walk through the park along the Triogue to hear about bats from Anna Collins of Kildare Bat Group.  A free, family friendly event. As we will be out after dark along the river bank, children must be accompanied by adults. Wear suitable clothing and footwear, it may be wet underfoot.

Contact: E  ccasey@laoiscoco.ie  T 087-9470778

Power of Meadows for Pollinators

Date and Time: Saturday 20th August 2022, 10.30am – 11.30am

Organiser: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns

Location: Grounds of St Michael and All Angels Church Of Ireland Abbeyleix R32 AW62

Description: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns will host an outdoor event for Heritage Week on the grounds of St Michael and All Angels to tell the story behind this project. Dr Fiona MacGowan, our resident botanist, will be on hand to set the scene and to identify some of the key species in the grassland swards.

Our partners in the Laois Offaly Wildlife Trust will showcase their power scythe which will be used to cut the meadow in this beautiful location in the shadows of the church. We will also bring along one of our Austrian Scythes to give a flavour of how the hay would have been cut in the old days.

Finally, as a nod to the Power of Words Poetry Festival that is happening in Abbeyleix that weekend, we will aim to recite a verse or two in celebration of biodiversity.

Contact: E  info@abbeyleixtidytowns.net  T 087 2181429

Ballykilcavan Tour - sustainability in nature, heritage and business

Date and Time: Saturday 20th August 2022, 2pm - 3.30pm

Organiser: David Walsh-Kemmis

Location: Ballykilcavan Farm, Stradbally, Co. Laois R32 Y0PK

Description: Tour of Ballykilcavan, the 13th generation Walsh family farm just outside Stradbally. Co. Laois, with a particular focus on the efforts being taken to preserve natural and built heritage, and also on sustainably creating and running the on-farm craft brewery. Ballykilcavan has just been named small sustainable business of the year in the national PwC / Sunday Business Post sustainability awards, and also won the sustainability award in this year's national Small Firms Association awards. On this fully guided tour, owner David Walsh-Kemmis will explain the sustainability measures being undertaken at the brewery, and highlight the restoration of the 18th century farmyards and the regenerative agriculture practices used on the farm, including efforts to promote biodiversity. The tour is fully outdoors and involves 800m of walking on flat ground.

Contact: E  david@ballykilcavanbrewing.com  T 086-3484128

Fitz and the Famous Flag

Date and Time: Saturday 20th August 2022, 3pm-4pm

Organiser: Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee

Location: Midlands Park Hotel, Jessop Street, Portlaoise, R32KV20

Description: Presentation to Laois County Council by Mr B. Ross MacMahon of a US Flag which was presented to Col James Fitzmaurice during the tour of the United States undertaken by the three aviators following their successful crossing of the Atlantic from Europe to America, in April 1928. This priceless artefact is a tangible link to the enormous celebrations all across the US following the flight, which opened up air traffic between Europe and the US. The presentation will be followed by a talk on Fitzmaurice and the US Tour by Teddy Fennelly, Chair of the Col Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee.

The event will also feature the launch of the Col Fitzmaurice Digital Archive, featuring original archive material collected by Teddy Fennelly, conserved and digitised with the help of Heritage Council funding, and now made available online through the  Laois Local Studies Digital Archive  

Please let us know of any specific accessibility needs and we will do our best to meet them.

Contact: E  heritage@laoiscoco.ie  T 087-9470778

Picnic and Trad Music Event in aid of LOFFA and Ukrainian Charities

Date and Time: Sunday 21st August 2022, 11am - 5pm

Organiser: Heath House

Location: Heath House, The Heath, Portlaoise  R32 VH28

Description: A family event among the sunflowers with teddy bears picnic and traditional Ukrainian music. Donation entry, all proceeds to Laois Offaly Families for Autism and Ukrainian Charities. Weather dependant.

Contact: E  roisinoconnellhussey@gmail.com 

Wetlands of Laois

Date and Time: Sunday 21st August 2022, 3pm

Organiser: Wetland Surveys Ireland/ Laois Heritage Office

Location: Ridge of Capard

Description: Join the team from Wetland Surveys Ireland to hear about the Wetland survey of Laois to date, and visit one of the sites that is part of the survey. The Ridge of Capard is partof the Slieve Bloom Nountains SAC and has wet heath and blanket bog habitats,as well as panoramic views.

Supported by the Local Biodiversity Action Fund of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Contact: E  patrick@wetlandsurveys.ie 

Heritage Walk at the Grand Canal

Time and date: Sunday 21st August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Meeting Point: Crean's Vicarstown

Description: Come along and identify some flowering plants along the canal edge and explore some of the built heritage of the canal which was operational in 1791.The walk is approximately 8km, loop to start at Crean's in Vicarstown

Contact: Sean Murray, Laois Archaeology, E  laoisarchaeology@gmail.com  T 086 2102397

Twin Trees Heywood Festival

Date and Time: Thursday 18th to Saturday 20th August 2022, Daily

Organiser: Twin Trees Festival Committee

Location: Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, R32 FE04

Description: The Twin Trees Heywood, Art & Culture Festival 2022, takes place in the beautiful setting of Ballinakill Village & Heywood Gardens, Co. Laois. The event as always is a celebration of the history and heritage of the former Charter village, and the exquisite Lutyens designed formal garden, at Heywood Demesne.

The main event this year is our Three Day Tutored En Plein Air Painting, which is suitable for beginners and established artists alike with painting in Heywood Gardens, Heywood Demesne, and Ballinakill Village. Tickets can be purchased for all three days, or for any individual day. The tutors for our En Plein Air event, are renowned artists, Jock Nichols and Bridget Flannery. Other festival events will include a Guided Historical Walk, a Fishing Competition, and Yoga In Heywood Gardens, with Simon Rogers, of Blackhill Woods Retreat.

Contact: E  andywalsh99@yahoo.com  T 083 - 4554040

Web:  http://twintrees.ie/ 

Stradbally Hall House Tours

Date and Time: All Week, 9am- 1pm daily on the hour.

Organiser: Thomas Cosby

Location: Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois R32 YC5X

Description: Stradbally Hall is a historic house located on a 500-acre estate in Stradbally, Co. Laois. House tours are available throughout Heritage Week 2022: am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm. No advance bookings are necessary. Please come to the main gate on Main Street, Stradbally, 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

Admission: adults - 10 euro, children - free.

Contact: E  thomascosby1974@gmail.com  T 086-8519272

Mountmellick Heritage Display

Date and Time: All Week, open during library opening hours

Organiser: Mountmellick Heritage  Society

Location: The Gallery, Mountmellick Library, O'Moore Street, Mountmellick R32 PX61

Description: Mountmellick Heritage Group will curate an exhibition for Heritage Week 2022 on the rich and long history of Mountmellick its town and environs and will include documents, photographs, memorabilia and other artefacts

Contact: E  mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057 8644572

I-Spy Garden Trail

Date and Time: All Week, open during library opening hours

Organiser: Laois County  Library Service

Location: Mountmellick Library Sensory Garden, O'Moore Street, Mountmellick R32 PX61

Description: Call into Mountmellick library Sensory garden and complete an "I-Spy garden nature trail". Return the completed garden trail to the desk and get a small prize! Take the opportunity to enjoy the summer blooms and sensory features

Contact: E  mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8644572

Laois Cumann na mBan Exhibition

Date and Time: All Week, open during library opening hours

Organiser: Laois County  Library Service

Location: Mountmellick Library, O'Moore Street, Mountmellick R32 PX61

Description: The exhibition was curated by Mountmellick native Bernadette Dunne with the support of Laois County Library as part of its Decade of Centenaries Programme. The stories of the Laois women that feature in the exhibition are compiled from official records housed in the Military Archives and the oral histories gathered by Bernadette. The Cumann na mBan exhibition and related events are part of a long-term and on-going engagement by Laois Local Studies in projects bringing back into the light women’s experience of the revolutionary period. It is hoped that the exhibition will encourage the public to share and record for posterity more stories relating to the forgotten women of revolutionary Laois.

Contact: E  mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie  T 057-8644572

Emo Court Guided Tours

Date and Time: All Week, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm.

Organiser: OPW

Location: Emo Court Gardens, Emo Court, Emo R32 DTP8

Description: Guided tours of the gardens with guides and gardeners in period dress.Join our guides in period costume for a variety of daily tours highlighting external features and history of the house.

Emo Court and parklands is open from 8:30 am - 9:00 pm. Tours are every day during National Heritage Week, at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm.

Contact: E  emocourt@opw.ie 

Laois Garden Trail – Free Garden Tours

Date and Time: All week, Check each garden for dates and times

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members

Location: Laois Garden Trail

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens.

Emo Court (R3 C44V) - tours every day at 10.30am, 12 noon and 3pm - No booking required. The tour includes the walled garden.

Heywood (R32 K4V6) - tours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1pm – No booking required.

Other gardens on the Laois Garden Trail are offering tours which MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited! See Eventbrite link below.

Selous Lodge (R32 PK19 )

Dunmore Country School R32 HC93

Clonohill Gardens R32 NF80

Gortnalee Gardens Eircode  R32 C8 K0

Charis Gardens Eircode R14 TC61

Book free garden tours from the list  above  at this link .

 Gash Gardens  and  Fruitlawn Gardens  have separate events and charges.

Castle Durrow Gardens Eircode R32 EA02 are open every day but no tours are available

Sensory Gardens at Dove House is also a member of the Laois Garden Trail but is not currently open to visitors due to Covid.

Ballintubbert Gardens and House have a special open dayAugust 18th -  details and booking here 

Laois Garden Trail Gash Gardens

Date and Time: 20th August, 11am - 12pm and 2pm - 3pm, €7 per person  Book on website 

Organiser: Gash Gardens

Location: Gash Gardens Castletown R32 K068

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens.

Gash Gardens is a large garden developed by a farmer with a love of all plants! Book your tour on the website www.gashgardens.ie.

Tours on 20th August, 11am - 12pm and 2pm - 3pm, €7 per person

Contact: E  info@gashgardens.ie 

Laois Garden Trail Selous Lodge

Date and Time: Laois Garden Trail open all week, check link below for booking, dates and times

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members

Location: Selous Lodge R32 PK19

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Tours MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited!

 Book garden tours here 

Laois Garden Trail - Dunmore Country School

Date and Time: Laois Garden Trail open all week, check link below for booking, dates and times

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members

Location: Dunmore Country School R32 HC93

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Tours  MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited!

  Book garden tours here 

Laois Garden Trail - Clonohill Gardens

Date and Time: Laois Garden Trail open all week, check link below for booking, dates and times

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members

Location: Clonohill Gardens R32 NF80

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Tours  MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited!

  Book garden tours here 

Laois Garden Trail - Gortnalee Garden

Date and Time: Laois Garden Trail open all week, check link below for booking, dates and times

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members

Location: Gortnalee Gardens R32 C8K0

Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Tours  MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited!

  Book garden tours here 

Laois Garden Trail – Fruitlawn Gardens

Date and Time: Thursday 18th and Friday 19th August, 11am - 12pm and 2pm - 3pm, €10 per person.

Organiser: Laois Garden Trail, Fruitlawn Garden

Location: Fruitlawn, Abbeyleix, R32 W5W7

Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens. On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Fruitlawn is a garden full of interesting and unusual plants in the garden designed by Arthur Shackleton The Guided Tours can be booked by phone or email and can accommodate a maximum of 15 people. The admission fee is €10 pp.

Contact: E arthurshackleton9@gmail.com; T 057- 873 0146

Laois Garden Trail - Charis Garden R14 TC61

Date and Time: Laois Garden Trail gardens are open open all week, check link below for booking, dates and times Organiser: Laois Garden Trail members Description: Laois Garden Trail is a group of 12 gardens in Laois that open to visitors. As gardeners we are all involved in increasing biodiversity and support for wildlife in our gardens.  On the Guided Tours of our gardens during Heritage Week we will offer advice to visitors on how to improve the biodiversity of their gardens. Tours  MUST BE BOOKED as places are limited! Click here to book free tour of Charis Garden.