Cultural Attractions

SOLAS Eco Garden Centre

Only 17km away is SOLAS Eco Garden Centre in Portarlington,  it includes an indoor 22,000 sq. ft. garden shop and a 4 acre outdoor area constructed from recycled 40ft containers featuring a  food court, a retractable roof greenhouse and 40ft Light tower  Each Saturday morning from 10am – 2pm it hosts one of the largest and best farmers’ market in Ireland and runs regular gardening and craft courses for adults and children. See the Events section of their website for more.

Lough Boora Discovery Park

For centuries Lough Boora has given humans shelter, warmth and a unique contact with the forces of the natural world. History, ancient and modern, is around you and under your feet when you visit Lough Boora.
N 53°13’24.9″
W 007°43’44.5″

http://www.loughboora.com/

Heritage House Abbeyleix, Museum & Model Railway

Abbeyleix is the oldest planned estate town in Ireland. It inspired the architect Thomas Wyatt when he was commissioned to design a new town at Westport, Co. Mayo in 1780. The Museum in Heritage House tells the story of this town, from ancient prehistory up to the 20thcentury.
Abbeyliex county Laois

http://www.abbeyleixheritage.com/

The Rock of Dunamase

Is a rocky outcrop in the town land of Dunamase in County Laois, between Portlaoise and Stradbally. The rock, 151 feet above a flat plain, has the ruins of Dunamase Castle, a defensive stronghold dating from the early Hiberno-Norman period with a view across the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

https://laois.ie

Dunamaise Theatre

Located in the heart of Portlaoise town, this is the local centre of the arts with regular concerts, art exhibitions, film viewings and much more.

http://www.dunamaise.ie/

Emo Court

Located near the village of Emo in County Laois, is a large neo-classical mansion, formal and symmetrical in its design. It was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for John Dawson, the first Earl of Portarlington. Other buildings by him include the Custom House in Dublin. The house and gardens were taken into ownership by the Irish state in the 1990s, and is now managed by the Office of Public Works. The estate is open to visitor and guests can avail of a tour of the house and walks around its manicured gardens and lake. There is a cafe on site and the grounds are ideal for picnics.

http://www.emocourt.net/

The People’s Park, Portlaoise

There are a number of recreational parks in the town of Portlaoise; the people’s park on the Timahoe Road is without question the best. Easily accessible from the hotel the park has a car park at the entrance and is surrounded by an idyllic stream and bridges. Bring a picnic and relax at the outdoor eating area, feed the ducks and swans in the large pond, partake in some light exercise in the outdoor gym, follow the fairy trail through the woods and try and find all their little houses and let the kids burn off some energy at the play area with swings, zip line, slides see saw, roundabouts and sand pit

Irelands Ancient East

Come to Irelands Ancient East and you’ll find 5000 years of history telling some fantastic stories.

View the site for more information!