- Rock of Dunamase: Near Portlaoise, this dramatic hilltop ruin of a 12th-century Norman castle sits on a 9th-century fort site. Visitors can expect to explore crumbling walls and towers with panoramic views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains and surrounding plains. Free to visit, with interpretive signs detailing its history, including links to Strongbow and Aoife. Ideal for history buffs and those seeking scenic photo opportunities.
- Emo Court and Gardens: Near Emo, this 18th-century neo-classical mansion, designed by James Gandon, is managed by the OPW. Visitors can expect guided tours of elegant interiors (seasonal, April–September) and strolls through 250 acres of formal gardens, lake walks, and woodlands with exotic trees. The gardens and grounds are free to explore year-round, with a café on-site. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- Slieve Bloom Mountains: Spanning Laois and Offaly, these low, rolling mountains offer a network of hiking and cycling trails, including the Slieve Bloom Way (34km loop). Visitors can expect scenic walks through heather-covered hills, forests, and waterfalls like Glenbarrow Falls, with chances to spot deer and birds. Free to access, with trail maps at visitor centers like Kinnitty. Ideal for outdoor adventurers and those seeking tranquility.
- Heywood Gardens: Near Ballinakill, these Edwardian gardens, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1912, are a hidden gem. Visitors can expect to wander through formal Italianate gardens, a sunken garden with a fountain, and a woodland with gothic arches. The gardens are free to enter, open year-round, and offer peaceful views of the Laois countryside. Perfect for gardeners and those seeking a serene escape.
- Abbeyleix Heritage House: In Abbeyleix, this museum, housed in a former school, explores Laois’s history, from the de Vesci family to the town’s carpet-making past. Visitors can expect exhibits on local industries, a recreated 19th-century classroom, and artifacts like the 1916 Rising flag. The adjacent sensory garden is a bonus. Open Tuesday to Saturday, with a small entry fee. Ideal for history enthusiasts and families.
- Timahoe Round Tower and Heritage Centre: In Timahoe village, this 12th-century round tower, one of Ireland’s finest, stands beside a ruined medieval church. Visitors can expect to explore the tower’s exterior, with its unique Romanesque doorway, and learn about its monastic history at the small heritage center. Free entry to the site; the center has limited hours. A quick, atmospheric stop for those interested in early Christian history.
- Castle Durrow Gardens: Part of the Castle Durrow estate, a 1710s country house near Durrow, these 25-acre gardens feature formal parterres, a woodland walk, and a walled garden. Visitors can expect leisurely strolls among rose beds and rare trees, with a café at the castle hotel. Gardens are free to explore for visitors; open year-round. Perfect for garden lovers and those seeking a refined setting.
- Stradbally Steam Museum and Narrow Gauge Railway: In Stradbally, this museum celebrates Ireland’s steam-powered heritage with vintage engines, tractors, and a 1km narrow-gauge railway. Visitors can expect seasonal steam train rides (check schedules, often during events like the August Steam Rally), interactive exhibits, and a look at industrial history. Entry fees apply for rides and events. Ideal for families and transport enthusiasts.
- Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum: Near Rathdowney, this restored 19th-century famine workhouse offers a poignant look at Ireland’s Great Famine (1845–1852). Visitors can expect guided tours of the grim workhouse buildings and an agricultural museum with vintage machinery. Open seasonally, with a small entry fee. A sobering experience for those interested in social history and Ireland’s past.
- Brittas Lake and Clonaslee Waterfall: In the Slieve Bloom foothills near Clonaslee, Brittas Lake is a serene spot with a short loop trail, while the nearby Clonaslee Waterfall (Glendineoregan) offers a scenic cascade. Visitors can expect peaceful walks, picnic areas, and opportunities to spot wildlife like red squirrels. Free to visit, with parking available. Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet outdoor retreat.
Attractions
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
County Laois:
Ireland’s county Laois offers a serene blend of historic sites and natural landscapes, with the Rock of Dunamase providing panoramic views from its ancient castle ruins. Emo Court’s elegant Georgian mansion and gardens offer a peaceful retreat, while the Slieve Bloom Mountains provide hiking trails through rolling hills. Laois is Ireland’s ninth smallest county by size (1,719 square km) and tenth smallest by population (91,877). Population peaked at 153,930 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 44,595 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Laois is Ireland’s 27th most visited tourist county with around 52,000 international visitors per year.
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