€1 Million awarded to Midlands in Community Monuments Fund
Funding has been announced for projects under the Community Monuments Fund 2025. The Community Monuments Fund invests in archaeological heritage and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public. Funding goes towards the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments. […]
Midland Steel open €16m Portlaoise facility and announce North American market partner
Laois-based Midland Steel have announced a strategic partnership with Nucor Corporation to roll out their #FasterFix technology by exclusive agreement in the USA and Canada. Midland Steel is Ireland’s leading steel reinforcement company, while partner, Nucor Corporation, is the largest steel producer and recycler in the USA, marking a significant milestone in steel construction innovation […]
Midlands Flavours Launched by John McKenna
“The secret is coordination, people working together with a common goal. In the Midlands, we have something unique and brilliant. It’s not just Irish hospitality; it’s the quality of Irish ingredients. Coordination is what is needed among the four counties.” (John McKenna, McKenna Guide) The official launch of Midlands Flavours, a new initiative celebrating the […]
Local Enterprise Week, Midlands—What’s on?
Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to attend numerous events aimed at helping them start or grow their business as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week. This initiative by the Local Enterprise Offices, supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, takes place from March 3-7th across the country. The Midlands will […]
World Championships for 2 Offaly Schools
“The school has come a long, long way since Vex was introduced into our school four years ago. Now America is going to blow their minds, as it is at yet another level again completely.“ Joe Molloy, Teacher at Coláiste Choilm 2 Offaly Teams will go to Vex IQ Robotics World Championships Two teams from […]
Midlands Students Head to National VEX Robotics Finals
The National Finals of the VEX IQ Robotics Competition take place in MTU Cork this week, where Midlands teams will have the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage. The VEX Robotics Competitions enable students to take part in battles of engineering wits, coding prowess and teamwork collaboration. The winning teams at the All-Ireland will […]
CATEX 2025, where connections are made
What is CATEX? CATEX has long been recognised as the must-attend event for foodservice and hospitality, delivering incredible value to both exhibitors and visitors, with key decision-makers in the foodservice industry. In it’s 60th year, CATEX has been at the heart of Ireland’s foodservice and hospitality industry, serving as a cornerstone event for networking, business […]
Community & Enterprise Supports Events to Take Place across the Midlands
Communities and businesses in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath are invited to a series of special events designed to showcase the wide range of supports available to help them grow, develop, and transition towards a sustainable future. Taking place across a series of county events in the coming weeks, these free events will provide valuable […]
€13.25m for Active Travel in the Midlands
The National Transport Authority has allocated funds to local authorities across Ireland for the ongoing delivery of active travel schemes in 2025. Overall, Laois, Westmeath, and Longford will receive €3.5 million each, while Offaly will receive €2.75 million in Active Travel funding in 2025. Active travel grants help to deliver projects that will encourage walking and cycling […]
Technological Universities have higher employment rates than Universities
According to a new Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023 from the HEA (Higher Education Authority). The new research found that Technological Universities (TU) have higher employment rates than universities, as more of their graduates go directly into employment rather than pursue further study. The figures are contained in the new Higher Education Authority (HEA) study, which […]
Spotlight on Award-winning Laois Animator, Séamus Malone
Originally from Barrowhouse, Co. Laois, and now based in Bristol, animation director and writer Séamus Malone will helm Series 7 of ‘Shaun the Sheep’, currently broadcast in 170 territories worldwide. He also worked on the new ‘Wallace & Gormit’ movie coming to our screens on Christmas Day. Titled ‘Vengence most fowl’, the latest ‘Wallace & Gromit’ […]
Midlands: 3 things to do this Christmas
For many, the best part of Christmas is the buildup to the big day. In the Midlands region, there’s lots going on to get the whole family in the festive spirit, including local markets, ice skating, and visits to Santa. Here are some family-friendly Christmas events in the midlands this year; 1. Mullingar Winterfest Experience […]
Bretland Construction opens HQ in Edenderry
Leading construction company Bretland Construction has opened it’s new corporate headquarters in Edenderry, County Offaly. The official opening coincides with Bretland Construction’s 25th birthday in business. The premier construction company delivers projects across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors. The new headquarters will serve as a central hub for the company’s expanding portfolio of projects and […]
Science Week in the Midlands
Science Week takes place from November 10th and includes a wide range of activities facilitated by Midlands Science in Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath. Over the course of a week, a variety of free events will take place in schools and communities for people of all ages. Midlands Science Week provides a diverse range of activities, including astronomy, zoology, […]
Halloween in the Midlands, 2024
Get ready for a thrilling Halloween in the Midlands with our guide to many exciting events for children and adults alike in 2024. This year, the region is bursting with a variety of events that promise to thrill both the young and the young at heart. From haunted castles and spooky trails to pumpkin carving contests […]
Midlands company wins National Organic Award
Bord Bia has revealed the winners of the National Organic Awards, which included the Laois/Offaly company Garryhinch Mushrooms. The National Organic Awards celebrate the achievements and high standards of the increasing number of organic growers, producers, and manufacturers in the country. Overall, there are seven awards, including the ‘New & Innovative Award,’ which went to Garryhinch […]
In business for 160 years, SHAWS opens in Athlone
With a recently appointed CEO and a brand-new store opened this week in Athlone, the well-known Irish retail business Shaws Department Store continues to grow. Presently, Shaws operates 16 stores in the main provincial towns of Ireland and employs almost 1000 people. The most recent store has just opened in the Golden Island Shopping Centre, […]
Midlands Clár Projects receive €1.8 million
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €11.4 million to deliver 264 projects under the 2024 CLÁR Programme. The investment in the four counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath in the Midlands region is €1.8 million. The investment will support the development of sports and outdoor facilities such as […]
Two Midlands Schools among the first to offer Climate Action Subject for Leaving Cert
St Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry, and Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington, will be among the first in the country to offer Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development as a subject from the start of the 2025/26 school year. In the country 43 schools have been selected for Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development. 57 postprimary […]
A day trip to Abbeyleix House & Farm
For Heritage Week, 2024. I was invited to cycle with Pedal Vintage, Durrow, through the grounds of Abbeyleix House & Farm. Along with showcasing the estate’s beauty—now owned by John Collison—the cycle paid tribute to Hughie Sheppard, who passed away this year. Hughie established the first Bulfin cycle ten years ago to explore Heritage on […]
Join Us in Supporting Our Midlands Paralympic Athletes!
35 athletes have qualified to represent Team Ireland for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They will compete across 9 sports with the first of the athletes competing on August 29th. The Games get underway today in Paris, and there are two Midlands athletes carrying the hopes of Ireland with them. Portarlington’s Nicole Turner will compete […]
Funding announced for ‘Town Centre First’ projects in the Midlands.
€2.6 million in funding has been announced to support the development of a wide range of Town Centre First projects. Minister Heather Humphreys, TD, today announced the funding will assist local authorities in creating a pipeline of significant, well-developed projects in local towns across Ireland. A total of 53 projects will be supported with up […]
5 Midlands SMEs to showcase at the Local Enterprise Village
Five Midlands businesses will get a chance to exhibit their businesses to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, County Laois, next month. The businesses will feature in the Local Enterprise Village, which houses over 30 small businesses and will be located at the centre of this year’s National Ploughing Championships from […]
In 2023, 1,700 Midlands businesses engaged in upskilling.
In 2023, over 4,600 people and 1,700 businesses in the Midlands region participated in upskilling with Skillnet Ireland Business Network. The vast majority (96-98%) of companies that upskilled their workforce with Skillnet Ireland in 2023 were small and medium enterprises. Skillnet figures breakdown 58% of those who undertook training were men and 42% were women, […]
Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme funding for the Midlands
Minister Malcolm Noonan T.D., has announced more than €458,000 in funding for 36 local community groups and organisations for projects across Ireland under the expanded Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2024. The scheme is aimed at community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement conservation and restoration […]
Midlands projects to share €3.8m
15, sustainability-focused projects in the Midlands will receive grants under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, co-funded by the government and the EU. The grants will enable projects to develop initiatives such as innovation and community hubs, green energy projects, and heritage initiatives. The funding aims to empower local organisations to respond to […]
Great Taste Award winners from the Midlands
Dozens of food producers in the midlands have been recognised in this year’s Great Taste Awards. Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme who put food or drink to the test with a panel of over 500 experts. And even more great news for Athlone Chocolate Producer, Bon Chocolatiers […]
Midlands’ hectic August Bank Holiday
The Midlands is set to become a hive of activity over the course of the next few days, with a wide variety of festivals and cultural activities across the region. Here’s a taste of just a few of the many events taking place throughout the midlands, including live music in Longford’s St. John Church, outdoor […]
Olympics 2024: Midland Athletes
Who are the Irish Olympians competing in the Olympic Games in Paris? Let’s focus on the Olympians from the midlands on Team Ireland. With the largest-ever contingent of 133 athletes en route to Paris, Team Ireland is already breaking records. Ireland is commemorating its centenary of the team’s debut as an independent country in the […]
Funding provides learning opportunities for diverse communities in the Midlands
“It continues to support community education partners make sure that these learners are not left behind.” The Education Training Boards in the Midlands have released two fantastic pieces of good news. Longford and Westmeath ETB have been awarded €200,000 in REACH funding to assist marginalised learners in accessing community education programmes, and the Offaly Traveller […]
Midlands Winners at the Irish Hospitality Awards
The Irish Hospitality Awards 2024, celebrate the dedication, skill and customer service of the professionals that work within establishments where excellence is standard. The awards acknowledge those who make a positive difference in this challenging sector, ensuring their customers always receive top services and unforgettable experiences. The winners were announced at a prestigious ceremony held […]
Over €32million in investment grants announced for regenerative tourism projects in Midlands
Fáilte Ireland has announced the first round of approved investment grants for projects under the EU Just Transition Fund which are being delivered as part of its Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU. 22 projects across the wider Midlands region have been approved for €27.1million investment […]
Funding Boost for Midlands Women’s Groups
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today announced funding to support 70 Women’s Groups in the Midlands and 500 nationwide. Under the initiative, small grants are being provided to assist groups in every single county to enhance/improve their facilities and to purchase equipment. Minister Humphreys made the announcement during a visit […]
Midlands to receive €1.8 million in funding for Great Outdoors
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD , has today announced a €16.1 million investment in outdoor recreation projects right across the country. See below for funding breakdown for the midlands region. The investment from Minister Humphreys will see a huge investment in Outdoor Adventure Tourism. Right across the country, there will be funding for projects such […]
June Bank Holiday events, Midlands
Laois Laois will be the event base for Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run. The historic vintage route, featuring over 100 vintage and classic cars will also travel through Carlow and Kildare, arriving back in Laois on Monday June 3 for a BBQ Finale at Treacys Pub, The Heath in Portlaoise. Highlights include visits to […]
New Midlands Food and Drink Directory Launched to Showcase the Best of Produce from the Region
The online directory hosts over 100 food & drink producers listed from across the Midlands region Midlands Ireland has officially launched a new Midlands Food and Drink Directory at an event held in Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in Stradbally, Co. Laois. This comprehensive directory celebrates the rich culinary heritage and diverse offerings of the Midlands […]
Midlands food businesses selected for Grow with ALDI Competition
Three Midlands Producers have been selected among the 27 finalists for the Grow with ALDI Competition, 2024. Among this year’s finalists is Tullamore-based business BiaSol, Le Skinny Chef from Laois and Westmeath’s Sugar Plum Sweetery. Celebrating the launch of Grow with ALDI 2024. Photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland The 27 ambitious suppliers have earned […]
Festival of Gardens and Nature to take place in Ballintubbert Gardens and House
The newest festival to take place in the Midlands is a unique celebration of gardening and nature. The Festival of Gardens and Nature will take place in the beautiful surroundings of Ballintubbert Gardens and House in County Laois on the weekend of 20th and 21st April 2024. Garden designer Catherine FitzGerald has teamed up with […]
€628,000 for Midland outdoor recreation
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Thursday March 28th,) announced funding of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects. The investment, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will be key to enhancing our mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches. It will also […]
Midlands Company, Integrileads, Opens Doors
IntegriLeads are an award-winning ‘appointment-setting’ company based in Bloom HQ, County Laois, who work with national and international clients. They work with Marketing and Sales departments in companies to convert leads into business. The company is managed by three Laois women; Aisling Kirwan (Sales Director), Jayne Delaney (Operations Director) and Eimear O Connor (Delivery Director). […]
Laois Mountain Biker is an Eco-Hero
For Laois man Stephen McEvoy, mountain biking is much more than a hobby, it’s about keeping trails clean and litter-free. Stephen, is a founder of TrashFreemtb, and he recently received the ‘Outsider Eco-Hero of the Year award’ from Outsider.ie, in recognition for not only his litter-picking, but also his work in galvanising the Irish mountain […]
Midlands Companies for National Enterprise Awards, 2024
Four Midlands companies are going forward to the 2024 National Enterprise Awards, which takes place at the Mansion House in Dublin on May 23rd. 31 companies will be competing against eachother for a share of the €35,000 prize fund. The National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar. Categories this […]
Local Enterprise Week, Midlands 2024
Local Enterprise Week is organised every year by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country. This year Local Enterprise Week takes place from Monday, March 6th to Friday, March 10th! Check out some of highlights taking place in the Midlands region. Longford Highlights Join the Local Enterprise Office Longford, in conjunction with Longford Chamber, on Monday, 4th March 2024, […]
Midlands allocated €15.5 million for Active Travel
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated €15.5 million in funding to local authorities in the Midlands with a view to spending on walking and cycling infrastructure in 2024. This substantial investment will fund approximately 800 Active Travel projects throughout the country, with 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure between 2020 and […]
Athlone Hosts Inaugural Para-Athletics Festival
At the recent Indoor Diversity Games and Para Athletic Festival in Athlone’s International Arena, schools from all over the midlands took part in both individual and team categories. Six of the ten team categories contested were won by Offaly schools. This js part of a new competition concept known as Future Stars. The Indoor Diversity […]
Midlands Arts Grants for 2024
Here are a selection of the Arts Grant funding available now throughout the midlands. The funding is essential to ensure a standard of high quality art is produced by artists in the region. It serves It offers to support artists for a period of time, and in so doing responds to the needs of those […]
636 new jobs supported by Local Enterprise Offices in the Midlands in 2023
Local Enterprise Offices provided support to the highest number of jobs across the country since it began in 2014. In 2023, it contributed to the creation of 6,640 jobs across the country. 82% of new jobs created by LEO client companies were outside of Dublin. 636 of these new jobs were in Laois, Longford, Offaly […]
Midlands schools to benefit from almost €500,000 in STEM funding
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced a trebling of the budget for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grants to €4.7m. The announcement, which comes as a result of phenomenal demand, marks a significant stride towards advancing STEM education in schools nationwide. Midlands schools will benefit from almost a half a million in […]
Spotlight on Laois farmer Francie Gorman elected as next IFA president
A county Laois farmer, Francie Gorman is the new President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) taking up office in January, 2024. The Ballinakill farmer, who runs a 130 acre dry stock family farm, is the first Laois man to be elected to the role since the late Pádraig Walshe. By the looks of it, […]
Midlands Census 2022 – Employment, Occupations and Commuting
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released Census 2022 Profile 7 – Employment, Occupations and Commuting. Here are highlights of some of the main results for Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. The publication focuses on people at work, unemployed, and outside the labour force, occupations and main sectors of employment, as well as on the commuting patterns […]
O’Mimos Sauces a sizzling success
Mimo is adding fresh sage and plenty of it to her Apple Jam sauce mix when I arrive at her house in Portarlington, County Laois. With her husband Seamus O Flynn, she runs O’ Mimos sauces. They set up their successful Sauce business a week before lockdown making; ‘Not so hot’, the ‘Hot Hot’ and […]
Minister Humphreys announces almost €300,000 in funding for Outdoor Projects in the Midlands
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced funding of almost €2.3 million to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland. The investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be key to enhancing outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches. The projects, when ultimately […]
Midlands Christmas Markets & Santa Visits
If you want to find out where your local Christmas Market is this year, have a look at our list of where and when they will be taking place across Laois, Longford, Westmeath and Offaly. Supporting local is the driving force behind many of our local Christmas Markets. It is an opportunity to meet old […]
Full S.T.E.A.M ahead in Laois and Offaly
A new initiative from LOETB in partnership with Laois and Offaly County Councils will see nine post-primary schools benefit from €10,000 worth of S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths) equipment and support. This is part of a new programme to support the development of digital skills among students in LOETB schools over the next […]
Healthy ÍON oils produced in Laois
“I really love the Irish way of living, especially the magnetism of the Irish people” (Andrea Milley) It took Andrea and Markus Milley, both hailing from Germany, to return home to realise how much they cherished Ireland. Now settled back on their farm in Clonanny, Portarlington, they are producing their own edible cold pressed oils. […]
A look at Midlands Science Week
The Midlands Science Festival, supported by Science Foundation Ireland, as part of National Science Week, is taking place from 7th – 19th November. The theme for Science Week 2023 is Human, which asks people to consider what it means to be human in today’s world, and how the decisions we make today will impact the […]
3 Midlands winners in the 2023 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards
Representing the four corners of Ireland, the winners of the 2023 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards were announced at an event hosted by Bord Bia at their new Global Hub in Dublin. Celebrating 25 years, the independent Georgina Campbell Awards are Ireland’s longest running food and hospitality awards. They recognise and honour Ireland’s standard-bearers in food and […]
The Future is Fiorbhia Farm, Laois
“I’m the only one in Ireland doing this!” Laois regenerative farmer, Brendan Guinan is talking about agroforestry, which is defined as ‘agriculture incorporating the cultivation of trees’. Brendan tells me “here in Fiorbhia Farm in Laois, it is the only 100pc biological agro-forest in Ireland”. Using no chemicals, electricity, or outhouses, he has transformed a 30-acre […]
Abbeyleix Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2023 in big day for the Midlands
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (6 October) announced Abbeyleix, Co. Laois as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2023. Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin with the event live-streamed to thousands more online. This year, 887 towns were competing for the […]
Midlands Sports Clubs to get over €553,500
As part of a €4.86 million investment from the Department of Sports and Culture, through the Dormant Accounts Funding in Local Sport Partnerships, sport clubs in the midlands are due to receive €553,500 euros in funding. The Dormant Accounts Fund enables unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland to be utilised to support […]
Are ya Ploughing?
66,250 people attended Day One of the 2023 National Ploughing Championships. Let’s take a look at highlights for Wesdnesday and Thursday. With heavy rain yesterday, the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins said, “I must say you are all surviving very well as loyal supporters of the Ploughing!” The 82 year old President pointed out […]
Top 10 Events for Culture Night in the Midlands
The theme for Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is One Night for All-Oíche Dár Saol. Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir on Septmeber 22nd is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and […]
Rothar Rogues from Durrow, Laois
“Rothar Rogues are a mens shed on wheels,” according to founding member Hughie Shepherd. ‘Mary’s Kitchen’ in Ballyragget is a meeting point and pit stop for Laois’ Rothar Rogues. Drinking tea and eating cake is certainly an important part of the daily routine for it’s members. Hughie tells me with a laugh, they are a […]
Local Enterprise Village showcases Midlands Companies at the Ploughing Championships
Spotlight on Four Midlands Businesses at the Local Enterprise Village Year on year, the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships. This year, over 30 small businesses from across the country will get an opportunity to sell and promote themselves to crowds of almost 300,000 […]
National Ploughing Championships, the Statistics
The National Ploughing Championships has grown to be Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural trade expo, with approximately 300,000 attendees over three days. We are taking a look at the statistics behind the larger than life event which runs next week from September 19th to 21st. From 25 to 1,700 stands “There were 25 stands at that […]
May the force be with Anna May McHugh
As I approach the IPA (Irish Ploughing Association) Headquarters in Ballylinan, County Laois, I realise I am not entering an office but a home. Anna May’ McHugh’s house is of course the home of the Ploughing, only a few kilometres from Ratheniska where the Championships take place. There are scores of people upstairs and down, […]
Dream comes true for Stradbally singer
“It’s a dream come true to be able to play at one of Ireland’s biggest music festivals” (‘Just Alice’ winner of Electric Youth) Stradbally singer Alice Laffan (Just Alice) has just won the Electric Youth Competition and will now perform on the Hazelwood Stage at the Electric Picnic this weekend. With great excitement she said, […]
The new Portlaoise Library
Aoife Moore, librarian, walks with a spring in her step as she shows me around the stunning new Portlaoise Library. The brightness and vast space are the first things that catch your eye. The high walls and open plan of the building create an atmosphere ideal for calm and concentration. The front lobby offers a […]
Behind the Scenes at the Electric Picnic
“It’s turned into a great big monster now at this stage.” (Tom Cosby, Stradbally Hall) As I drive towards Stradbally Hall to meet owner Thomas Cosby, I take note of the tranquil surroundings just before the 19th Electric Picnic begins. There is already a lot of activity on the ground, with barriers going up, stages […]
Carrigmeal is Laois’ Tir na nÓg
New Outdoor Classroom There’s a reason why the looped walk in Carrigmeal in County Laois is called Tir nÓg. Named after the land of eternal youth, landowner James Deegan has dedicated 70 acres of his land to his beloved children and grandchildren. Next month when the schools reopen, a beautiful outdoor wooded classroom will be […]
Midlands Events for National Heritage Week
Where history comes alive… The theme for National Heritage Week 2023 from August 12th– 20th is ‘Living Heritage’. This theme is centred around the practices, knowledge and skills that have been passed from one generation to the next and are still in use today. Let’s look at activities taking place in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford […]
5 Midlands Festivals for the August Bank Holiday
With a series of highly anticipated gatherings, including the renowned Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023, the Midlands solidifies its position as Ireland’s premier events destination. Here are 5 things to do for the weekend. 1: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The Fleadh Cheoil is back in Mullingar this August bank holiday weekend. With an estimated half […]
Dove House are ready for the Scarecrow Festival
Meet the All-Ireland Scarecrow reigning champions from Tús Nua, Dove House, Abbeyleix. They have just delivered their latest creation ‘The Capitalist Pig’ to The Scarecrow Festival in Durrow which kicks off this weekend in Laois. Dove house are going for three in a row! Fifteen members of Tús Nua in Abbeyleix have been working together […]
Midlands’ The Merry Mill is Finalist in 2023 EU Organic Awards
The finalists of the 2023 edition of the EU Organic Awards have been announced, with Laois-based organic food producer The Merry Mill one of just 24 finalists from across 11 EU countries. The awards saw applications from all over Europe, with the winners to be announced at the official award ceremony being held in Brussels […]
July Festivals in the Midlands
July is always a good month for the smaller festival, the calm before the storm perhaps. Ahead of the big Summer festivals like the Electric Picnic and Fleadh Ceoil na hEireann in Mullingar, let’s take a look at what the smaller festivals are doing across the midlands for the month of July. From Forest Fest […]
Bowes celebrates 10 years in business
This week, Bowes Foodhall & Café In Durrow County Laois, celebrates it’s 10th birthday. In July last year, Food Critic, Tom Doorley stopped off on his trip from Dublin to Cork and wanted to start a campaign for more ‘Boweism’ when he entered the foodhall. In his Daily Mail article, he had high praise “Bowe’s […]
Behind the Scenes at Durrow Scarecrow Festival
What happens when you walk into a room and find 40 mammies staring back at you? Worse still, ‘40 Scarecrow Mammies’, showing all sort of expressions, from anger to kindness and the one we fear the most, the mammy with the ‘disappointed stare’. Let’s go behind the scenes at this year’s Durrow Scarecrow Festival in […]
Emo Court most visited OPW site in the Midlands
The Office of Public Works (OPW) have announced that 2022 was another successful year for visitor numbers at its heritage sites. The number of recorded visitors last year exceeded 15 million, up by 2.3 million on 2021, an increase of 18%. In the Midlands alone, over half a million people visited OPW heritage sites which […]
Census 2022 : Midlands Region Results
Longford, the second least populated county in the State, has recorded the biggest percentage increase of 14.1 per cent between 2016 and 2022 according to new figures. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (30 May 2023) released Census 2022 Summary Results, which details the population changes in the six years since April 2016. The […]
Biodiversity week, Midlands
Biodiversity Week takes place from Friday, May 19 to May 28 with free events and workshops and aims to engage the public in a range of nature-related activities, from bat walks, to dusk choruses, plant identification events and much more. Let’s have a look at the events taking place across the midlands. Biodiversity week, Westmeath […]
The Laois Garden Trail
Have you heard of the Laois Garden Trail? It is a wonderful trail that includes 12 gardens, from Emo to Heywood, Durrow Castle to Gash Gardens, there are so many beautiful spaces to explore and perhaps re-discover. In this article, I will explore a variety of what Laois has to offer. The 12 gardens attract […]
Grow Remote Summit 2023
The Midlands is set to host a major National Remote Working Conference on June 8-9th, with an impressive line-up of international leaders and experts in Remote Working descending on Portlaoise to bring together the remote working community, leaders in government, business innovators, and employers to explore the future of work. The last 2 years has […]
Darkness into light, Midlands
Darkness Into Light started in 2009 with 400 people walking in Dublin’s Phoenix Park and has since grown to become a global movement in suicide awareness. This year, hundreds of thousands of people will rise in the darkness and walk into the brightness of dawn in 15 countries, across 5 continents. Many people who have […]
Midlands festivals this May Bank Holiday
The Midlands comes alive this weekend! In the aftermath of the very successful Granard Booktown Festival last weekend in Longford, the midlands really is the place to be this May Bank Holiday with the amount of festivals happening across the region. From the mountain Biking Blitz to Portlaoise Tradfest , the All Ireland Drama Festival […]
New Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Festival
This weekend (April 28th – 30th), will see a major new event take place in and around the Slieve Bloom mountain bike trails, with sites in both Laois and Offaly, hosting a series of family-friendly bike-themed activities. The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Festival is a three-day festival event intended to showcase the spectacular Slieve Bloom […]
Degree Course Access for Midlands students
“A student could complete the first year of a computing course in Laois/Offaly ETB and then have a guaranteed route into SETU to pursue a degree.” (Minister Simon Harris) For the first time in Ireland, there will be guaranteed access to a degree programme that starts in further education and concludes in higher education. A […]
The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence opens in Portlaoise
The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence has been officially opened by Minister Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The 10,000 square foot Low Carbon Centre of Excellence, a dedicated centre for the development of new business and economic activity, will in turn support and assist a transition to a low carbon economy. […]
Laois artist Alan Meredith wins award
Laois artist, Alan Meredith is one of seven artists to receive a Golden Fleece Award of €35,000. The funding is for artists working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts and was established as a charitable bequest by Helen Lillias Mitchell (1915-2000). Alan lives and works from his studio in Laois, creating pieces […]
Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms
Garryhinch Wood Exotic is a long-standing family-run farm by Joe & Dolores Gorman, on the banks of the river Barrow on the borders of counties Laois and Offaly. They started off with 2 tunnels in 1989 successfully growing ‘button white mushrooms’ until July 2016 when their business collapsed due to Brexit. At the time, they […]
‘Hummingbird’ Portarlington, a home away from home.
“I do believe, we are being guided” Gillian Treacy Gillian Treacy and her husband Ronan took over ‘Mooney’s Drapery’ in the centre of Portarlington in 2019. Now a thriving cafe and interior design shop, Hummingbird Interiors, is a buzzing hub of activity. Gillian was severly injured in a car accident in 2014 which took the […]
Increased funding for 35 community-based organisations in the Midlands
Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has announced that almost 400 community organisations nationwide will receive additional funding under the Community Services Programme. See below for list of organisations from Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath who received funding. The Community Services Programme is an initiative designed to support community-based businesses, social enterprises […]
Midlands communities receive €4 million in Community Recognition Funding
Minister for Rural and Community Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State Joe O’Brien, have today set out the details of the €50 million Community Recognition Fund. This major initiative, the first of its kind, is designed to specifically support communities across the country that have welcomed and are hosting families and citizens from Ukraine and other […]
Laois filmmaker needs your help!
A young up and coming filmmmaker, Reuben Harvey from Abbeyleix, County Laois is certainly one to watch. Just 22 years of age, he is shooting his final graduate film for Dun Laoghaire National Film School IADT, at the end of January in his hometown of Abbeyleix. Last year, he won a Royal Television Society Undergraduate […]
Football centre of excellence for Midlands
A new 27 acre site, for a football centre of excellence in the midlands, has been purchased between Tubber and Clara, County Offaly. The land purchase is now complete at Woodfield (outside Clara) for the first Midlands football centre of excellence. There are certainly exciting times ahead as a design team will commence the planning […]
RTÉ’s new Midlands Correspondent says she has a “dream job”
When Longford native Sinéad Hussey stepped into the shoes as Midlands Correspondent for RTÉ, she knew that covering the large midlands area would be no easy task. She takes us through some of the big stories she covered in the second half of 2022 when she took up her role and had to hit the […]
The stunning Malt House in Stradbally will be home to RTÉ’s ‘Operation Transformation’
Operation Transformation (OT), hosted by Kathryn Thomas will broadcast from Stradbally, County Laois when it returns to our screens next week! Each week the leaders will meet the experts in the beautifully converted 19th Century, Malt House in Stradbally as they chart their weekly Health Check-In. While the 2023 series will use the Malt House […]
Start a new Course in January, 2023?
Why not start the year 2023 afresh by taking up a new course with your local Further Education and Training Centre? We have compiled a list of some part-time and FREE courses taking place across the midlands, that range in skills from ‘Mindfullness’ to Bookkeeping, Art or even Construction. Most people think they can only […]
Family walks in the Midlands over Christmas
Fancy walking off the Christmas turkey, taking a little breather from the in-laws or just dragging your child away from their brand new Nintendo Switch over Christmas? Here are the ‘Midlands Walks of Christmas’, both forest and trail ways, to help you shake off the cobwebs. So lace up your boots, get your scarves ready […]
Brewing up a storm!
Breweries in the Midlands There is no better time of year than Christmas to support your local brewery. Beer consumption in Ireland can often lack variety, as it is often the same beverages that are sold in the majority of pubs. This may be due to demand and lack of knowledge of what else is […]
Over €1.8 million to upgrade 18 Community Centres across the Midlands region
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, along with the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD, have today announced funding of over €1.8 million for the upgrade and development of 18 Community Centres across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. The announcement under the new Community Centre Investment Fund represents the largest ever capital investment […]
Midlands Finalists in National Digital Awards
Digital Business Ireland, together with Permanent TSB have announced the top five finalists in each of the 22 categories of this year’s National Digital Awards. Seven finalists have been announced from the Midlands. The annual series rewards businesses, people and organisations who have demonstrated excellence in digital. Focusing on three of the nominees, congratulations to […]
Laois will be the home of RTE’s ‘Operation Transformation’, 2023
‘As the Clinical Psychologist on Operation Transformation I am overjoyed that Laois, my home county is our home for 2023 – the blue zone in the heart of Ireland’ (Dr. Eddie Murphy) This year, RTE’S popular TV series Operation Transformation will make Laois it’s home! The stunning setting of the Malt House Stradbally will be […]
Community Monuments Fund 2023 – Call for Projects
€6 million will be invested in next year’s Community Monuments Fund helping owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future.The core aims of the Community Monuments Fund are to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local monuments and historic sites. Core Aims of the Fund The core aims of this Fund are […]
Rock of Dunamase book launches
The High Fortress: A Guide to the Rock of Dunamase will launch this Wednesday, 23rd November at 7.15pm in the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise. The High Fortress, sees experts sift the evidence to tell the story of Dunamase and its surrounding territory from prehistoric times to the eighteenth century, in a clear, accessible way. The […]
Midlands Christmas Markets, when & where!
It is that time of year again where Christmas Markets are getting their stalls ready around the midlands. Packed with local food and crafts, mulled wine and Santa’s grottos, you dont have to go abroad to find your little bit of Christmas before the big day! As early as this Saturday, local markets from Clonmellon […]
Abbeyleix Bakery on the Rise
David began his career with Conrad Gallagher in the Pastry Section of one of his restaurants and it was here he met and his future business partner, Wellie Lopes da Silva, who is originally from Sao Paulo. It was at the restaurant where their “great friendship” began and Wellie and David now run their successful […]
The ‘Spirit’ of the Midlands!
This is the time of year where Chamber Award Ceremonies are held across the country. It is an opportunity to reward and recognise local businesses and sole traders. But, how do you recognise the heart and soul of a community? This is called the ‘Spirit of the Community Award’. So how does a pub in […]
Laois ‘Leaves Festival’ kicks off this week
“The Leaves Festival is a great opportunity to hear from contemporary writers, enjoy the art of conversation, listen to musicians and appreciate film.” (Leaves Festival Co-ordinator, Muireann Ní Chonaill) The Leaves Festival 2022 brings the best of Irish writing, poetry, film and music to County Laois this Wednesday November 9th. The star attraction will be […]
Men’s Sheds in the Midlands to get €62,000.
Every Men’s Shed in the country will receive €2,000, as part of a nationwide grant of €800,000 from the Department of Social Protection. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced the funding to support 400 Men’s Sheds across the country. She said “I’m delighted to be in a position to support our […]
New Glamping site proposed for Laois
A new glamping site could be on it’s way to the Slieve Bloom Mountains, County Laois. A planning application for ten glamping pods has been lodged to Laois County Council. The proposed development was made by John Maher for Cappanagraigue, Clonaslee on the Maher family farm. He is looking to “construct a glamping development consisting of […]
On the ‘MOO-VE’ TO SOLAS
From this weekend in Solas Eco Garden Shop, Portarlington, you can now buy ‘Moo Cow Milk’. ‘Moo Cow fresh milk’ was created by husband and wife team Mícheál and Cora Finlay who are dairy farmers in Portarlington. It will be on sale from ‘SOLAS Farmers’ Market’ through their state-of-the-art milk vending machine. It comes in […]
Sports Partnerships in Midlands get €466,995
The Midlands welcome an announcement today by Sport Ireland of an investment package of €466,995 euros in Tranche 1 Dormant Accounts Funding. The money will aim to boost sports initiatives such as ‘Sports Hubs’, ‘Get Girls Active,’ ‘Youth Leadership,’ and specialised disability training courses. Inclusivity is core within sport and this funding will help engage […]
Laois hosts National PPN Conference 2022
Delegates from 31 PPNs representing 18,000 PPN member groups from across Ireland attended the National PPN Conference 2022 in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise last weekend. Alongside workshops PPN members were brought to a number of locations across the county to showcase the amazing work done by Laois PPN member groups. On the tour, they […]
Halloween in the Midlands
How will you spend your Oíche Shamhna? Let’s have a look at a number of ‘Spooktacular’ events, walks, workshops and film screenings across the Midlands that are happening especially for the Bank holiday weekend and week ahead. LONGFORD Longford’s annual Dead of Night Festival returns this Halloween! This free and frightful festival is sure to scare all […]
Laois gets a dedicated centre for music!
This weekend, the newly refurbished Laois Music Centre, Church Avenue, Portlaoise, home to both Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois, will be opened. Laois Music Centre houses both Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois, and welcomes over 750 music students each week to take part in music classes, bands, orchestras, and […]
Laois win big at National Heritage Awards.
Laois bagged two big wins at this year’s National Heritage Awards Congratulations to Teddy Fennelly who won the 2022 ‘Heritage Hero Award’ while the Biodiversity Award went to Birdwatch Ireland, in association with Kildare Bat Group and Laois Heritage Office. The National Heritage Awards has recognised the enormous contribution of individuals and community groups across […]
6 Green Flag Awards for Midlands Parks
It’s Green Flag time in the Midlands! A total of 6 of the best Parks in the Midlands have won coveted Green Flag Award status for 2022/2023 in the latest accolades from the International Green Flag programme. The Midlands Parks included in this year’s Awards are – The Mall, Longford – Dún Na Sí Moate […]
Stradbally Steam goes Green!
Laois is leading the way to de-carbonise and re-fuel the Heritage Railways while keeping everything moving along! In September, Ireland saw the first passenger train to be hauled by a steam locomotive using a 100% renewable biomass-based coal substitute. This was on the Stradbally Woodland Railway, a short narrow-gauge line with steep gradients. Being in woodland, […]
Destination Midlands
As the National Ploughing Championships announce that they’re on their way back to Laois for 2023, let’s look at the many festivals that are making the Midlands ‘the home of events’ in Ireland. Over 1 million people visited the Midlands region in recent months, attending a packed calendar of many of Ireland’s top Summer Events, […]
A big week for Abbeyleix Bog
For Abbeyleix Bog, and the surrounding community, it is an important week. Restoration works began on Monday (Oct 3rd), involving the construction of marginal berms along the edge of the cutover bog in Abbeyleix, County Laois. Berms act like a dam, keeping water on the bog. This will help to enhance the re-establishing of Sphagnum […]
Midlands celebrates at Irish Restaurant Awards
It was a great night for Midlands Food and Drink at the Irish Restaurant Awards, with the Leinster awards seeing the best in food and drink from our region celebrated at a big annual event for the industry in association with The Irish Times. The quality of food and drink in the Midlands region continues […]
Culture Night 2022
Culture Night is one of the biggest nights in the Arts calendar, we take a look at what’s happening in the Midlands this year. OFFALY are be central to RTÉ’s Culture Night special. They broadcast live from Lough Boora Discovery Park on RTÉ One. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and a selection of guest artists perform. […]
Ploughing 2022 opens in Ratheniska
All roads lead to Ratheniska, Co. Laois for the next 3 days, as the Midlands plays host to the National Ploughing Association / Championships and World Ploughing Championships 2022. With 300,000 visitors due to attend over the course of the event, it’s one of the biggest events in the country, with up to 1,700 exhibitions […]
Electric Picnic
Ireland’s largest gathering of music & arts, and the ultimate rock n’ roll circus, Electric Picnic has established itself as one of the world’s most unique festivals. With a great selection of music, art, theatre, comedy, food and holistic health, it’s the most delightfully diverse end of summer party on the Emerald Isle. Ireland’s premier […]
National Ploughing Championships
The annual event attracts crowds of up 300,000, as the largest agricultural event in Europe. The 3 day festival is about so much more than just Ploughing, celebrating the very best of Ireland from the heart of the country in Co. Laois. All roads lead to Ratheniska, Co. Laois each September, as the Midlands plays […]
