Tucked away peacefully in the heart of Ireland’s midlands, County Laois is a hidden gem where deep historical roots and scenic serenity beautifully converge. The awe-inspiring Rock of Dunamase stands as the county’s crown jewel; this ancient Norman ruin perches dramatically on a limestone outcrop, rewarding those who ascend it with sweeping, panoramic views of the island’s ancient heartland.
Beyond its historic ruins, Laois offers a captivating natural playground. The gently rolling Slieve Bloom Mountains provide a beautifully untamed backdrop, featuring a network of secluded hiking trails that wind through deep glens, hidden waterfalls, and landscapes that feel untouched by time. The county is also graced by the tranquil waters of the River Nore and the scenic Barrow Blueway, where visitors can enjoy leisurely cycles along historic towpaths or peaceful afternoon strolls through the unique ecology of the Abbeyleix Bog Walk.
Laois effortlessly balances its wilder landscapes with refined architectural beauty and a vibrant community spirit. The elegant, neoclassical grandeur of Emo Court and the magnificently landscaped Heywood Gardens invite visitors to step back into a world of aristocratic charm. Today, this rich heritage is celebrated through a dynamic cultural and culinary scene. The flourishing Laois Taste initiative champions local artisan producers, while the annual calendar comes alive with renowned events ranging from the spirited Stradbally Folk Festival to the internationally famous Electric Picnic, ensuring a richly rewarding experience for every traveller.
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Abbeyleix was levelled and rebuilt on higher ground in the 1790s by the de Vesci family, and its carpet factory wove rugs for the Titanic. Just outside town, the community-run Abbeyleix Bog is a restored raised peatland with two free loop walks and 25 of Ireland's 34 butterfly species.
Aghaboe, laois
Aghaboe Abbey gathers a thousand years onto one Laois field: the shell of a 14th-century Dominican friary, an 18th-century Church of Ireland building reusing Augustinian stonework, and a tree-crowned Norman motte. St Canice founded the monastery here in 576, and an 8th-century abbot, St Virgilius, went on to become Bishop of Salzburg.
Meath, meath
Stretching from the Wicklow Mountains to the Waterford coast, Ireland’s Ancient East packs millennia of Irish history into a compact, scenic region. Walk through UNESCO-listed passage tombs, wander medieval city streets, and explore world-class gardens – all just a short drive from Dublin.
Ballinakill, laois
Ballinakill holds the only known Patagonian eyewitness account of the 1641 siege, a rare historical footnote preserved in Irish archives. Just north of the village, the 18th-century Heywood Gardens unfold across sweeping lakes, pollarded lime avenues and a sunken garden guarded by resident turtles.
Ballintubbert Gardens & House, laois
Set in a quiet valley between Stradbally and Athy, Ballintubbert Gardens blends 19th-century design with modern organic practices. Wander through restored garden rooms, a historic herb collection and tranquil woodland walks across 14 acres of carefully curated planting.
Laois, laois
The River Barrow winds 192 km from the Slieve Bloom Mountains to Waterford Harbour, threading historic towns and a 111 km engineered navigation. Its towpath is the Barrow Way, a gentle 117 km trail that lets walkers and cyclists soak up castles, monastic ruins and vibrant riverside life.
Kildare, kildare
Gentle towpaths trace the Barrow Way’s 117 km route, inviting walkers to glide past historic towns, medieval castles and serene riverbanks. The easy, level trail offers a tranquil introduction to Ireland’s second-longest river, where every bend reveals a slice of living heritage.
Borris-in-Ossory, laois
Tucked in the rolling hills of west County Laois, Borris-in-Ossory blends centuries of history with lively community spirit. Its 19th-century stone churches, renovated community halls, and nearby rail links make it a convenient base for exploring the Rock of Dunamase, Emo Court, and the quiet countryside of the ancient kingdom of Osraige.
Durrow, laois
Step inside a meticulously restored 18th-century Irish manor where Viscount Ashbrook’s original grandeur meets modern hospitality. Set on 30 acres of landscaped gardens along the River Erkina, Castle Durrow offers individually styled rooms, a Chinoiserie-adorned dining room, and guided tours through heritage grounds.
Clonaslee, laois
Clonaslee sits at the northern edge of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, offering a quiet base for walkers and history lovers. From its 7th-century monastic origins to its role on the Slieve Bloom Way, the village blends Gaelic heritage with rugged midland scenery.
Clonenagh, laois
Clonenagh, a few kilometres from Mountrath, was one of early Ireland's great monasteries, founded around 548 by the famously austere St Fintan. Little stands now beyond a late medieval church ruin, a graveyard holding thirteen early cross-slabs, a capped holy well and St Fintan's tree – but the lore runs deep.
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Cullenagh Hills rise gently above the South Midlands, their holly-named slopes tracing the ancient boundaries of the O’Devoy clan. With a trig-point summit, quiet woodland paths, and clear views across the River Nore valley, it’s an accessible escape for walkers and history lovers alike.
Ballyhegadon Glebe, laois
Donaghmore's workhouse opened in 1853, after the worst of the Famine, built to hold the overflow that the Abbeyleix and Roscrea workhouses could no longer take. Local guides walk you through the restored dormitories and kitchen, and a second building holds a collection of farm tools and machinery covering rural Laois life up to the 1960s.
Durrow, laois
Set along the River Erkina, Durrow offers a mix of Norman heritage, leafy walking loops, and the elegant Castle Durrow Country House Hotel. Visitors can explore a lively market square, wander through centuries-old gardens, or follow waymarked trails through restored oak woodlands.
Emo, laois
Rising above the Slieve Bloom foothills, Emo Court blends grand Georgian architecture with serene woodland walks and a historic lake. Guided tours reveal period rooms, a Jesuit novitiate past, and the remarkable story of its 20th-century restoration.
Kildare, kildare
One of the few Irish waterways recorded in the 12th-century Book of Leinster, the Figile River winds through the Midlands with legendary ties to Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Its peaceful banks host the scenic Figile River Walk, historic stone bridges, and quiet stretches perfect for angling and birdwatching.
Castletown, laois
Set along the banks of the River Nore near Castletown, Gash Gardens is a four-acre horticultural showcase born from a dairy farmer’s vision. Wander past the striking Moon House stone cavern, lily-filled ponds, and meticulously curated borders filled with rare perennials, old-fashioned roses, and woodland specialists.
Ballinakill, laois
Set into a sweeping hillside near Ballinakill, Heywood Gardens combines Frederick Trench’s dramatic 18th-century landscape with Sir Edwin Lutyens’ Arts-and-Crafts formal garden. Wander terraced walks, explore three historic lakes, and take in panoramic views across seven counties.
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Trace five thousand years of history across County Laois with a free, self-guided heritage trail. From the soaring Timahoe Round Tower to the poignant Donaghmore Workhouse, the multilingual app and audio guide bring local stories to life at your own pace.
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During the 9th-century Viking raids, monasteries along the Barrow and Nore were set aflame, scattering treasures across the landscape. The self-guided trail links those scarred ruins with a free 67-minute audio narration that weaves saints’ miracles and Norman reforms into each step. Walkers can hear echoes of that turbulent era while exploring round towers and Romanesque doorways.
Portlaoise, laois
The Midlands sits at the geographical and mythological centre of Ireland, spanning four counties of gentle plains, winding rivers and rich heritage. From the druidic Hill of Uisneach and the Iron Age Corlea Trackway to the Norman walls of Athlone Castle and the scientific legacy of Birr’s Great Telescope, this inland region offers a deeply layered travel experience.
Mountmellick, laois
Once known as the 'Manchester of Ireland' for its textile industry, Mountmellick blends Georgian architecture with a living craft tradition. Explore the Embroidery & Heritage Museum, follow the self-guided town trail, and use the compact centre as a base for walks in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Irishtown, laois
Explore a quiet museum dedicated to Mountmellick Work, a distinctive white-on-white embroidery tradition born in the early 19th century. Visitors can view historic samplers, join hands-on stitching workshops, and follow a self-guided trail through the town's historic streets.
Mountrath, laois
Mountrath is a compact County Laois market town that quietly bridges medieval heritage and modern rural life. Bypassed by the M7, it offers a traffic-free centre, a riverside promenade, and a convenient launchpad for hiking the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Stradbally, laois
Situated on a limestone ridge south-east of Stradbally, Oughaval Wood blends centuries of Irish history with vibrant woodland walks. From the haunting ruins of St Colman's monastic site to the poignant famine-era Cobbler’s Castle, the forest offers cultural intrigue and natural beauty.
Portarlington, laois
Straddling the River Barrow, Portarlington earned the nickname “the Paris of the Midlands” thanks to its wave of French Huguenot settlers in the late 17th century. Their legacy shapes the town’s tidy Georgian streets, historic churches and annual mid-July French Festival, while the newly refurbished Market House and riverside Blueway trails make it a welcoming base for exploring Laois.
Portlaoise, laois
Portlaoise blends 16th-century Tudor history with modern Midlands energy. Explore the ruins of Fort Protector, wander the Great Heath, or catch a direct train to Dublin from this transport crossroads.
South of Portlaoise, laois
Step back in time at Raheen, County Laois, where the Mass Pit marks the site of clandestine 18th-century worship. Visit the striking 1857 Gothic Revival St Fintan's Church, explore the surrounding Laois countryside, and experience the warm welcome of this authentic rural community.
Rathdowney, laois
Stepping into Rathdowney, the town square bursts with the quiet gravitas of 19th-century stone façades and the solemn Croppy's Grave memorial. Beyond, the surrounding countryside reveals the lingering outlines of a vanished 7th-century ringfort that gave the settlement its name.
Kilkenny, tipperary
The River Nore winds 130 km from Devil’s Bit Mountain through limestone valleys, medieval castles and lush gardens before meeting the Barrow at Waterford Harbour. Anglers, paddlers and walkers alike can enjoy world-class trout fishing, gentle kayaking and heritage trails framed by the iconic Woodstock Gardens.
Rock of Dunamase, laois
Majestic silhouettes of ruined walls rise from the limestone outcrop, greeting travellers with a sense of ancient defiance. From the 9th-century drystone fort that repelled Viking raids to the Norman stone castle gifted to Strongbow’s daughter Aoife, the site offers sweeping Laois plains and a palpable echo of Ireland’s turbulent past.
Clonaslee, laois
The Slieve Bloom Mountains form a rugged, ancient ridge straddling County Laois and County Offaly. Walk the 71-km Slieve Bloom Way, navigate blanket bogs to reach Arderin Peak, and explore a landscape steeped in Fianna legend and rich upland wildlife.
Stradbally, laois
Set in the heart of Laois, Stradbally blends industrial heritage with vibrant cultural events. Visitors can explore the Irish Steam Preservation Society’s museum and woodland railway, trace the origins of British racing green, and experience one of Europe’s most celebrated music festivals each summer.
Stradbally, laois
Stradbally Hall combines a stately Georgian mansion with the Irish Steam Museum and a volunteer-run woodland railway. Set across 550 acres of ancient oak woodland near Portlaoise, it offers hands-on industrial heritage, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly outdoor pursuits.
Timahoe, laois
Perched on the R426, Timahoe offers a striking 30-metre Romanesque round tower, a lively heritage centre and a bluebell-carpeted esker walk. History, art and nature sit side-by-side, making it a perfect stop on the Laois Monastic Trail.
