Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Laois from 20 March to 1 May 2026, blending heritage, literature, music, outdoor adventures, and family fun across Portlaoise, Rathdowney, the Slieve Bloom Mountains, and other spots. This spring period offers a relaxed, community-focused vibe with nature in bloom.
Major Festivals
- Festival of Free Thought (The Thomas Prior Festival) (27-29 March): A distinctive weekend in Rathdowney honouring Thomas Prior (co-founder of the Royal Dublin Society). It features lively debates, historical talks, community workshops, and discussions on innovation, independent thinking, and local heritage.
- Slieve Bloom Walking Festival (1-4 May, starting 1 May within the period): One of Ireland’s longest-running walking festivals in the Slieve Bloom Mountains (based around Kinnitty and Clonaslee). It includes guided hikes from gentle woodland strolls and family-friendly routes to more challenging ridge treks, with stunning spring scenery, bluebells, wildlife spotting, and often traditional music sessions in local pubs post-walk.
Arts, Music & Culture
- Leaves Festival of Writing & Music (dates TBC, typically late April/early May in past years, but often November-check for 2026 confirmation): A celebration of literature, spoken word, and music held in Portlaoise and Laois library branches. It features author readings, poetry slams, workshops, screenings, and intimate live musical performances highlighting Irish creativity.
- The High Kings: Step Out Solo Tour (20 March): A dynamic live performance by the acclaimed Irish folk group The High Kings at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, delivering modern interpretations of traditional ballads and high-energy folk anthems.
- Acoustic Night with Jack O’Rourke (10 April): An intimate evening of piano-driven, soulful vocals in the historic setting of St. Peter’s Church, Portlaoise.
Family & Seasonal Events
- Easter at Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park (28 March – 5 April, or aligned with Easter 3-6 April): A popular family Easter celebration near Rathangan (on the Laois/Kildare border) with a massive Easter egg hunt through ancient woodlands and peatlands, treasure trails, train rides, indoor play areas, outdoor adventures, and visits from the Easter Bunny.
- The Great Heath 10k & 5k Run (Easter Sunday, 5 April): A community road race across the scenic, historic plains of The Heath near Portlaoise, suitable for runners of all levels.
- Castle Durrow Spring Garden Self-Guided Tours (throughout April): Peak spring viewing at the magnificent 18th-century Castle Durrow estate in Durrow, with self-guided walks through formal gardens bursting with bluebells, tulips, and seasonal blooms.
Heritage & Community
- Timahoe Round Tower Heritage Talk (18 April): A guided exploration and talk at Timahoe Heritage Centre on one of Ireland’s finest Round Towers, focusing on its exceptional Romanesque carvings, monastic history, and Viking-era significance.
- The Stradbally Steam Rally “Work Weekend” (late April): Pre-season open days at Stradbally Hall’s Steam Museum, where enthusiasts can view vintage steam engines being prepared and fired up ahead of the main summer rally.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Laois is known for its grand estates and vibrant community spirit, hosting some of Ireland’s most iconic modern festivals alongside traditional agricultural shows.
- Laois Drama Festival (March): A competitive amateur drama festival held at the Mountmellick Community Arts Centre featuring top theatrical groups from across the country.
- St. Patrick’s Day Festival (March): Local celebrations across the county, with notable parades in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, and Mountrath featuring community floats and music.
- Thieve’s Market & Festival of Lace (May): A heritage celebration in Mountmellick focusing on the famous local “Mountmellick Lace” tradition with exhibitions and craft stalls.
- Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run (June): A major vintage car rally following the historic 1903 race route through the scenic roads of Laois, Kildare, and Carlow.
- Barrowfest (July): A community water and music festival in Graiguecullen/Carlow border celebrating the River Barrow with boat trips, music, and family fun.
- Fuintown (July): A family-friendly festival in Portlaoise town center featuring street theatre, circus performers, and creative workshops.
- Ossory Show (July): A large traditional agricultural show held near Rathdowney featuring livestock competitions, vintage machinery, and local crafts.
- Durrow Scarecrow Festival (July/August): An award-winning, quirky nine-day festival where the village is filled with hundreds of creative scarecrows, alongside a “Scarecrow Village” for kids.
- Electric Picnic (August/September): Ireland’s largest arts and music festival, held at Stradbally Hall, attracting 75,000 people for world-class headliners, comedy, and “MindField” talks.
- National Ploughing Championships (September): Though the location can rotate, it is frequently held in Ratheniska, Laois; it is Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural trade exhibition and cultural event.
- Old Fort Quarter Festival (September): A heritage-themed music and food festival in Portlaoise based around the site of the original 16th-century fort.
- Leaves Festival of Writing & Music (November): A literary event in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix that brings together writers and musicians for a weekend of readings and performances.
- Christmas at Emo Court (December): A festive celebration at the historic neo-classical mansion featuring twilight tours, artisan markets, and seasonal music.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Laois:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
