History

Founded 560 years ago and located some 50 miles SW of Dublin, Portlaoise (say Port-leash) owes its existence to the suppression of one of many Irish rebellions against the English. In 1547 the 2 families (O'Moores and O'Connors) who controlled the land in this part of Ireland were routed and the English established a fort to enforce their supremacy and protect the Southern flank of the Pale (the English occupied area around Dublin). Initially the fort went through a number of name changes but in 1556 the whole county was planted with English settlers and named Queen's County with the fort named Maryborough, after Queen Mary. The neighbouring county, Offaly, the former stronghold of the O'Connors, became King's County.

The name was changed back to Portlaoise in 1922 following the granting of independence to the republic.

Over the last decade or so the population has grown enormously with new housing developments around the outskirts. In 2002 the population of the town and its immediate environs was 17,000 and by 2006 it had grown to 22,000 whereas in 1991 it was 9,000 (Source = Irish Census). Much of this increase is made up of people who have moved out of Dublin and commute daily to that city (approx. 1hr by road or rail).

A significant number of the newcomers are 'non-nationals', from Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. The town made headlines internationally last year (2007) when the town council selected as mayor a former asylum seeker from Nigeria.

Parts of the original fort can still be seen but most of the buildings in the town centre are Georgian or later.

The main source of employment is the two prisons, Portlaoise prison and the Midlands Regional Prison. The prison service also has its principle training establishment in the town.

The town lies at an important transport intersection, where the main roads from Dublin to Limerick and Cork diverge. Recent attempts at increasing local employment opportunities have centred on the development of the town as a transport interchange or inland port. A new rail coach repair works was opened earlier this year and this complements railway sleeper manufacture which has been ongoing for some years but has reduced lately as the national programme to upgrade the rail system comes to an end.

There are several modern shopping centres, none of which is yet fully occupied, as well as the main town centre. Many of the businesses in these belong to chains that will be familiar to UK shoppers. There is a library, cinema, courthouse and arts centre. The town is the administrative centre of County Laois, another major employer housed in a modern office complex. Adjacent to Aras an Chontai (English: County Hall) is a newly developed "town plaza" with trees and fountains. Nearby is a statue of James Fintan Lalor (see below)

There are two hospitals - St Fintans and The Midland Regional Hospital. The former was originally an 'insane asylum' and once housed upto 800 patients (there is an interesting thread on the BBC History MB discussing the various definitions of people qualified for consignment to such institutions, see History). It still has a small number of patients with mental health problems but most of the building is occupied by various clinics and social welfare offices, including the registry office. The latter should not be construed as meaning the only midland regional hospital as there are others so named at Tullamore and Mullingar.

There are Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist Churches as well as a Kingdom Hall of Jehova's Witnesses and a place where Muslims meet for worship. At present (mid to late 2008) the RC church of St.Peter and Paul is undergoing extensive renovation. Meanwhile services are held in the gymnasium at the new Portlaoise College (see below)

The former Maryborough Gaol is now home to the Dunamaise Theatre and Art Centre where music, dance and drama performances are held 2-3 times a week. This building also contains an art gallery and internet cafe. There is a multi-screen cinema showing all the latest releases whilst the Dunamaise Theatre has screenings of "art house" films.
Several of the town centre pubs hold live music sessions, especially at weekends. There are 4 main hotels and several B and B establishments.
There are numerous restaurants, not all of them associated with the pubs, including several Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian as well as those serving traditional Irish food.

The town is home to O'Moore Park, Ireland's 2nd national GAA stadium. There is also a modern leisure centre and both soccer and rugby clubs.

Portlaoise is bisected by the Triogue River which flows from South West to North East. Alongside the river are 2 parks - 'People's Park' South West of the town centre and the Triogue River Park North East of the town centre.

It's difficult to say precisely how many primary schools there are as any official listing for Portlaoise also includes some of the outlying villages. There are at least 6, and at least 2 secondary schools. there is also a newly built FE college.

Famous people associated with Portlaoise include James Fintan Laler, a leading 19th century campaigner for land reform, one of whose brothers led a miners' rebellion in Australia and became an Ausralian MP; Colonel James Fitzmaurice, a pioneering aviator and Dr Bartholomew Mosse, the son of King William III's former chaplin who had become rector of Maryborough, he is famous for creating the first mother and baby hospital in the British Isles.

Nearby Towns:

Mountmellick to the North, famous for Mountmellick Lace this town was founded by Quakers and was once a centre for the manufacture textiles and iron work. The textile connection earned it the nickname "the Irish Manchester".

Portarlington to the East straddles the border with Offaly. Nearby is the village of Emo and Emo Court, a typical Georgian country house lovingly restored by the recently deceased former owner during the 1960's and '70's and now owned by the state and open daily for guided tours. There is free admission to the gardens.

Stradbally to the South East is famous in modern times for the annual music festival called Electric Picnic held on the Cosby Estate. This estate is worth a visit in its own right.

Abbeyleix and Durrow to the South: The first of these was rebuilt by the De Vesci family who introduced carpet manufacture in the 19th century. The floor coverings for the ill fated SS Titanic were made here. Visit the museum, the sensory garden and the nearby Heywood House Gardens. Durrow is celebrating its tri-centenary this year (2008) and is home to Durrow Castle, now a hotel and leisure complex.

Mountrath and Castletown to the West are a typical Irish market town and village respectively. Near to Castletown is Gash's Gardens which ought not to be missed by anyone with an interest in gardening.

Ballyfin in the North-West has a large country house and estate, until recently a seminary but now being converted into yet another country house hotel and leisure complex.

Surrounding countryside:

There are few points within the town where it is not possible to see either the Slieve Bloom Mountains which rise to the North West or the Dysart Hills to the South.

The Rock of Dunamaise about 4 miles to the South of the town is an important heritage site with evidence of Viking, Norman and earlier occupations.

Like much of Ireland, large areas of the surrounding countryside are peat bog and the national processor and marketer of peat products, Bord na Mona, is another important employer whose activities in the area are in decline.

Farmland is mostly livestock with any crops grown as animal feed for own use. There are a large number of timber plantations with saw mills located on the ourskirts of Portlaoise and in Mountrath.

Links:
Rock of Dunamaise

Laois

Laois Heritage trail

Portlaoise Heritage trail

Dunamaise Theatre