- Rock of Dunamase Visitor Enhancements: Funded by €1.8 million from the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism Scheme, this project includes a new car park, improved road access, on-site interpretation facilities, and enhanced visitor experiences such as immersive audio-visual elements and potential shuttle services, aiming to attract more tourists while preserving the historic site’s medieval ruins and panoramic views.
- Emo Court House Reopening: Following extensive restoration works in 2025, the neo-classical mansion and its gardens will fully reopen to guided tours from mid-March 2026, offering visitors refreshed interiors, improved accessibility, and enriched historical insights into this iconic James Gandon-designed estate.
- Slieve Bloom Mountains Signage Strategy: A €152,350 grant under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will fund new destination signage and interpretive information boards across key areas, improving wayfinding and educational experiences for walkers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts exploring the mountains’ trails and scenic viewpoints.
- Ómós Guesthouse and Restaurant Opening: Set to open in summer 2026 in Abbeyleix, this renovated Victorian property features a 16-bedroom luxury guesthouse and a 30-40 seat fine-dining restaurant led by acclaimed chef Cúán Greene, providing a new high-end culinary and accommodation experience focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
- Forest Fest Music & Arts Festival: Returning from 24-26 July 2026 in the village of Emo, this boutique festival offers a weekend of music, arts, and community events in a scenic forested setting, with limited capacity for an intimate atmosphere featuring Irish and international acts.
- Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival: Scheduled for 28-30 August 2026 at Stradbally Hall, Ireland’s largest gathering of music, arts, theatre, comedy, and holistic activities returns with diverse lineups and immersive experiences, drawing large crowds to the county’s premier end-of-summer event.
- Laois Outdoor Recreation Plan Implementation: This new five-year strategy (up to 2030), approved in late 2025, will guide eco-friendly developments including enhanced trails, off-road cycling routes, water activities on canals and rivers, and improved accessibility across natural amenities like the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Grand Canal, boosting health-focused and sustainable tourism.
- European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Award Shortlisting Outcomes: As Laois competes for the 2026 title, ongoing regenerative initiatives such as low-carbon transport in Portlaoise, bog restoration projects like Abbeyleix Bog, and village regeneration will continue to enhance sustainable visitor offerings, potentially gaining international promotion if awarded.
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