- Jeremiah Grant Bar & Eatery (Portlaoise): Located on Main Street, this gastropub is a cornerstone of Portlaoise’s nightlife, offering a modern menu with local ingredients and a lively atmosphere. Named Pub of the Year at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards, it’s known for its top-tier carvery, extensive drinks menu, and big screens for sports. A vibrant setting with excellent pub grub, particularly Sunday roasts, craft beers, and sports screenings. Ideal for a lively night out or a hearty meal.
- The Bog Road (O’Gorman’s) (Portlaoise): Situated on the outskirts of Portlaoise, this gastropub is the sister venue to the original O’Gorman’s, offering a modern dining experience with a focus on quality food. Awarded Best Gastro Pub at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards, it’s celebrated for its carvery and welcoming atmosphere, maintaining the high standards of its sibling. A cozy yet contemporary setting with delicious meals, especially roasts, and a friendly vibe, perfect for families or post-night-out dining.
- O’Gorman’s Bar (Portlaoise): On the outskirts of Portlaoise, this traditional pub is a local favorite, known for its hearty carvery and warm hospitality. Its reputation for one of Laois’s best carveries and its role as a sports-watching hub with large screens make it a standout. A welcoming atmosphere with excellent food, good pints, and sports on TV, ideal for a relaxed Sunday session or casual drink.
- Bob’s Bar (Durrow): Located on the banks of the River Erkina in Durrow, this quirky pub incorporates an old boathouse, adorned with vintage photos and memorabilia. Its unique decor, friendly atmosphere, and renowned trad music sessions draw visitors from far and wide, making it a cultural gem. A cozy, eclectic interior with live music, great craic, and a warm welcome, perfect for those seeking an authentic Irish pub experience.
- Poole’s Bar (Rosenallis): A quaint country pub in the small village of Rosenallis, north of Portlaoise, known for its lively sessions and community vibe. Its reputation for great craic, especially after local GAA victories, and storytelling by regulars make it a true local haunt. A traditional, no-frills pub with good beer, lively music, and friendly locals, ideal for experiencing rural Laois’s charm.
- Napper Tandy’s (Stradbally): Situated in Stradbally, 11km from Portlaoise, this pub offers a mix of great beer, food, and live music, with a focus on sports viewing. Its versatility as a one-stop pub for food, drinks, music, and sports, plus its proximity to the Electric Picnic festival site, make it a local favorite. A lively atmosphere with quality pub grub, sports on TV, and music sessions, perfect for festival-goers or sports fans.
- Fleming’s Bar (Ballylinan): Located in Ballylinan, this cozy pub is known for its traditional music sessions and warm, inviting atmosphere with glowing open fires. Its nickname “Fleming’s Cosy Bar” reflects its homey feel, with interconnecting rooms and a focus on local musicians, creating a quintessential Irish vibe. A snug, traditional setting with live trad music, tasty beer, and a cozy ambiance, ideal for a relaxed evening.
- Moloney’s Bar (Mountmellick): On O’Moore Street in Mountmellick, this pub, over 100 years old, is a local institution known for its live music and vibrant weekends. Celebrating its centenary in 2016, it’s famous for sing-song sessions where visitors might join performers on stage, creating a unique community feel. A bustling pub with live music, good drinks, and a friendly crowd, perfect for those seeking a lively, traditional experience.
- Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue (Portlaoise): At 28 Main Street, this family-run pub offers a traditional bar downstairs and a first-floor venue for music and comedy, with excellent sports coverage. Its multi-purpose setup, hosting top musicians and comedians, and its reputation for quality service make it a Portlaoise staple. A warm, traditional pub with great pints, live entertainment, and sports on TV, ideal for a fun night out or match day.
- Morrissey’s (Abbeyleix): On Main Street, Abbeyleix, this historic pub combines a traditional bar with a grocery shop, offering a cozy setting and good drinks. Its preserved historical features, like mosaic tiles and old shop-front elements, create a nostalgic atmosphere, blending pub and heritage. A charming, old-world pub with friendly service, good beer, and a unique setting, perfect for history buffs and casual drinkers.
- O’Dea’s Bar & Bistro (Portarlington): On Main Street, Portarlington, this gastropub is known for its modern Irish cuisine and welcoming atmosphere, blending pub and dining experiences. Awarded Best Emerging Irish Cuisine at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards, it’s a go-to for quality food in a pub setting. A modern gastropub with delicious, locally inspired dishes, good drinks, and a friendly vibe, ideal for a refined pub meal.
- The Abbey Gate Bar (Abbeyleix): Located on Main Street, Abbeyleix, this traditional pub offers a cozy atmosphere with good pints and a focus on local hospitality. Its central location in the heritage town of Abbeyleix and its welcoming, no-frills vibe make it a local favorite. A classic Irish pub with friendly service, quality drinks, and a relaxed setting, perfect for a low-key visit.
- The Anvil Inn (Portarlington): On Main Street, Portarlington, this pub combines traditional charm with a focus on good food and drinks, popular among locals. Its reputation for a warm welcome and hearty pub grub makes it a reliable spot in Portarlington’s pub scene. A traditional pub with tasty food, good pints, and a community feel, ideal for a casual meal or drink.
- Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant (The Heath): Located in The Heath, near Portlaoise, this gastropub is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and quality food, including a notable kids’ menu. Its 2019 Irish Restaurant Award for Best Kids Size Me Menu highlights its appeal for families, with a focus on hearty meals. A welcoming, family-oriented pub with excellent food, a cozy setting, and a relaxed vibe, perfect for a family outing.
- The Horseshoe Inn (Abbeyleix): On The Square, Abbeyleix, this traditional pub offers a warm atmosphere, good drinks, and a central location in a historic town. Its role as a community hub in Abbeyleix, with a focus on local charm and quality service, makes it a notable spot. A cozy, traditional pub with friendly locals, good beer, and a historic setting, ideal for a relaxed pint or chat.
Pubs
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.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
