| Heywood Gardens | Killeshin | Mountmellick | Mountrath | Portarlington |

| Portlaoise |  | Rathdowney  | Rock of Dunamaise | Rosenallis | Slieve Bloom | Stradbally | 

| Slieve Margy | Tankardstown | The Heath | Timahoe | Vicarstown | Wolfhill |

Portarlington

Portarlington is a very attractive little town which was founded in the year of 1666 within a bend of the River Barrow. It received its name from Sir Henry Bennett, Lord Arlington (1618-1685) who, in Charles II's reign (1660-1685), was Lord of the soil. The property was passed on in 1696 to Henry de Massue, Marquis de Ruvigny, who became the Earl of Galway in William III's reign (1689-1702), and colonized the place with French and Flemish refugees, victims of the Edict of Nantes. After the Jacobite wars, the lands were given to General Roubigney, Earl of Galway, who established a thriving colony of French Huguenots in the town.  Separate schools and chapels were built for the English and French Protestants. At the beginning of the 18th century many French Huguenots had settled there. These together with the English colony, made Portarlington a centre for Silversmiths, Bankers and Education. Such activities ensured fine architecture and town houses. Today, there are a number of fine Georgian and earlier houses can still be seen and some orchards recall the settlers. Today their influence is still evident with examples of French architecture to be seen. One of the best examples is the St Paul’s Protestant Church.  A French Festival takes place in the town every year.

Portlaoise

Portlaoise is the main county seat of the County formaly known as Maryborough (The Fort of Lois) was a corporate town in the time of Elizabeth I, but there is little evidence of it's ancient importance left today. The castle, having been battered by the Parliamentary Army in the 17th century, can no longer be seen. This name, The Fort of Lois, was given to the town by the Irish to "Fort Protector" built here in 1547-1548 to protect the English settlers from the "Wild Irish". This was followed in 1556 by the plantation of the county and the settlement was renamed Mary Burgh after Queen Mary (1553-1558). It is interesting to note that Portlaoise wasn't always the main seat of the county. At one time Killeshin was known as the Chief Town of Co. Laois.

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Rock of Dunamaise

Crowned by ruined walls, this dramatic 150ft outcrop soars above the low-lying Laois countryside.  Before the arrival of St. Patrick in 432AD, the rock and surrounding land was the property of the O’More clan.  It has been recently excavated, and is beginning to resemble its former brilliance.

See Pictures of Laois

RATHDOWNEY

Irish speakers in the Co. Kilkenny always call it Raw-dhouna, i.e. Rath Domhnaigh, the Rath of the Domhnach or Church; and this, too, is the form of the name found in the Three Fragments of Annals. The Four Masters, on the other hand, write the name Rath Tamhnaigh (pronounced Raw-Thaouna), which signifies the Rath of Tamhnach, i.e. of the green meadow-field.

The "Rath" from which the name has its origin, was situated at the north side of Rathdowney Square, in Mr. Patrick Murphy's yard and garden, 150 yards north-east of the Protestant church. It was circular in shape, 25 or 30 yards in diameter and flat at the top, and raised about 8 ft. over the surrounding land. John Howard, of The Garrison, Rathdowney, who levelled the Rath, about 1840, informed the writer that he found it filled with human bones (but there were no skulls), and that he removed five cart-loads of them thence for interment elsewhere; that there were no traces of foundations of walls, nor headstones, and that if any such were ever there, they were removed before he could remember, the rath having been used as a cabbage garden even before he was born; and that he found there some bone pins 2 or 2½ ins, long, but no objects of iron or bronze, or anything else of interest. The presence of such a great quantity of human bones would certainly point to the Rath as the site of an ancient churchyard, and, consequently, of a Domhnach or Church.

The pre-Reformation parish church, if not the original Domhnach, stood on the site now occupied by Rathdowney Protestant church. It was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. It was taken down in 1818. The oldest Catholic monument in the graveyard dates from 1786. There are many Protestant monuments, the oldest dating 1751. There is no holy well.

1465 (July 18). Dermod Hoily, cleric of Ossory Diocese, bound himself, as principal, to the Camera Apostolica, for the annats of the perpetual vicariate of the parochial church of Draithdonhnaigh (Rathdowney), in the said Diocese of Ossory, vacant by the deprivation of John Olanrn. And it is ordered that a provision be made to the said Dermod.
I641-2 (Feb.8). Barnaby or Bryan McWilliam Fitzpatrick of "Raghdowny," was outlawed by proclamation of the Lords Justices, for taking part in the great National Uprising of the previous year. He was afterwards Captain in the Confederate army, and was one of the last to lay down his arms in I652. One of his sons was slain before Borris-in-Qssory, in 1642.

1653. Rathdowney was forfeited by Morgan Cashin and Bryan McWilliam Fitzpatrick, Irish Papists, and granted, with portions of Ballyhenry, or Harristown. Ballybuggy and Kilcoran, to Captain Thomas Prior.

Rathdowney takes its name from the rath or ring fort, which until 1840 was at the end of the town square near the Church of Ireland church. It was a thirteenth century Norman manor. It developed as a town in the early nineteenth century with brewing as the main industry. As a town, it cannot boast of any great antiquity. It must have been a very small village in I665, as only about a dozen persons paid hearth money in the whole townland of Rathdowney in this year. Even since 1820 the town has been considerably enlarged.

Rosenallis

The origins of this quaint village dates back to at least the early Christian era.  There was a parochial church throughout the medieval period: recently a sheila-na-gig was discovered in the graveyard of the Church of Ireland church. Rosenallis grew as a village when like Mountmellick it became a Quaker colony and linen centre.  Less than a mile out of the village on the Mountmellick road is a beautiful "Society of Friends Rosenallis Burial Ground".  Places of interest include the Quaker Graveyard and the Church of Ireland Church.

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SLATEY, SLEATY, or SLETTY

This is a parish, in the barony of SLIEVEMARGUE, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, It is situated on the river Barrow, comprises 656 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued in 1837 at £728 per annum. Knockbeg is the residence of W. Carruthers, Esq.; and here is also that of Gerald Byrne, Esq. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, united to that of Shrule, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £60, and the gross value of the benefice is £106.3.1. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Killeshin. Here is a hedge school of 10 boys and 4 girls. St. Fiech is said to have founded a church and bishoprick here, in the fifth century, the latter of which was afterwards transferred to Leighlin; in the churchyard are two stone crosses of remote antiquity; and there are ruins of a small church called Slieb-teach, or "The House near the Mountains," which is said to have been originally a place of great importance.

Slieve Bloom

An unforgettable view can be enjoyed from the top of the Slieve Bloom Mountains’ many summits.  The area is a delight for walkers offering a range of tracks and paths in the numerous glens. The most famous walk is the Slieve Bloom Way.

Slieve Margy

Ancient Celtic Laois was divided into seven separate tribal territories. Slieve Margy, meaning the "Barony of the Small Kingdom" was one of these. It was controlled by the Ui Bairrche tribe until the mid 16th century. After this period the English Crown imposed their authority on the area. To ensure greater protection for the area King Philip & Queen Mary decreed the Plantations of both Laois & Offaly. This was the first attempt by the Crown to increase their control in Ireland with the use of Plantation Settlements.

The Slieve Margy is situated in the south eastern corner of Co. Laois, in the heart of Ireland. In ancient times Co. Laois was divided into seven tribal areas under the control of the MacEvoys, O'Deevys, O'Dorans, O'Dowlings, O'Kellys, O'Lalors and the most important of all the O'Mores. In 1556 Laois was constituted as Queens County, in honour of Queen Mary who had sanctioned the Plantations of Laois.

Stradbally

According to the LEWIS TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND 1837 Stradbally is described as a picturesque market, post-town, and a parish, in the barony of STRADBALLY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER situated in the heart of Co. Laois is overflowing with history and culture.  Stradbally Manor, the Georgian seat of the Cosby family.  The village is a hive of activity during the summer months hosting the Flower Festival and Steam Rally.

This place, anciently called "Mon-au-Bealing", was the site of a Franciscan monastery founded in the 12th century by the chief of the O'Mores, which, in 1592, was granted with all its possessions, comprising several castles, to Francis Cosby and his heirs, to hold as of the Castle of Maryborough, in capite, by knight's service, at a yearly rent of £17.6.3., and to provide nine English horsemen. This grant was, in 1609, confirmed and renewed by Jas. Ist to Richard, son of Alexander Cosby, together with the manor and lordship of Timahoe. The town is one of the most pleasant in the county: it is situated on the banks of a small river which flows into the Barrow, in a vale surrounded by lofty hills, and in a district richly embellished with cultivated demesnes. The principal street is spacious: the number of houses, in 1831, was 306, mostly well built: the river is crossed by a bridge of three arches. The southern branch of the Grand Canal passes along the eastern side of the barony into the vale of the Barrow, opening a communication with Dublin and the towns on that river, but there are no manufactures, nor is any trade carried on, excepting that arising from the produce of two flour-mills on the stream that runs through the town. The market is on Saturday; and there are fairs on May 6th, July 10th, Aug. 21st, Sept. 14th, and Nov. 21st. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town; general sessions of the peace are held here twice in the year, and petty sessions on alternate Fridays. The court-house is a neat building, and attached to it is a small bridewell, containing three cells, two day-rooms and an airing yard. There is a dispensary, and also a savings' bank.

The parish comprises 1373 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is good, and much of it in demesne; the system of agriculture is improved, and very excellent limestone is procured, which is used for building and other purposes. The vicinity is beautifully varied. Stradbally Hall, the residence of T. P. Cosby, Esq., is a handsome mansion adjoining the town, and situated in a highly embellished demesne, within the limits of which was formerly the ancient castle of the O'Mores.  Brockley Park, formerly occupied by the Earl of Roden, and now the residence and property of W. D. Farrer, Esq., is pleasantly situated on the opposite side of the town. In the vicinity are also Ballykilcavan, the seat and improved demesne of Sir Edw. Welsh, Bart.; Kellyville, the residence of Thos. B. Kelly, Esq.; Timogue, of Thos. Budds, Esq.; Ballymanus of M. Dunne Esq.; Moyanna, of J. Lyons, Esq.; Vicarstown, of Jas. Grattan, Esq.; Rahinduffe, of Mrs. Baldwin; Derry, of John Baldwin, Esq.; Lohihoa, of R. Dexter, Esq.; Clopook, of Mrs. Mahon; and Esker, of T. Bailey, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, united by act of council, in 1774, to the vicarage of Moyanna, and in the patronage of T. P. Cosby, Esq.: the rectory is impropriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The tithes amount to £208.14.2., of which £139.9.7. is payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the vicar. The glebe-house is a good residence, and the glebe comprises 12 acres; the gross tithes of the benefice amount to £207.13.9. The church, a handsome building in the town, was erected in 1764 by subscription; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £321 for its repair. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Moyanna, Corclone, Timogue, Fossey, and Kilcolmanbrook: the chapel in the town is a spacious edifice, and a handsome chapel has been lately erected at Timahoe in the Gothic style, capable of accommodating 4000 persons. About 80 children are taught in the national school, which is wholly supported by Mrs. Cosby; and there are several private schools. There was formerly a charter school, for which a building was erected at an expense of £3000, of which sum £300 was a gift from the late Poole Cosby, Esq. A battle is said to have been fought at Stradbally bridge between the first settlers of the Cosby family and a native sept, in which the leaders on both sides were killed. Near the town are the ruins of an old church, the walls of which are about six feet thick and of considerable height: under one end is the mausoleum of the Cosby family. Four miles to the south is the Dun of Clopoke, an isolated rock, in which are various singular cavities; it has a level summit, formerly encompassed with a rampart of stone, and was a fort of the O'Mores; the ascent is steep and rugged; it is now remarkable only for the romantic views which is commands along the range of hills in its vicinity and the rich pastures of Timogue.

Tankardstown

According to the LEWIS TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND 1837 Tankardstown is a parish, partly in the barony of Ballyadams, Queen's county, and partly in that of Kilkea and Moone, county of Kildare, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S) from Athy, on the road to Carlow; containing 1918 inhabitants.  It is situated on the River Barrow, and comprises 8938 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £4056  per ann. : within its limits are some quarries of limestone.  The state of agriculture is progressively improving, and the Barrow navigation affords great facility for the conveyance, the improved and handsome residence of the Very Rev. Dean Trench; Farm Hill, of Geo. Evans, Esq. ; and Leinster Lodge, of J. Perrin, Esq.  The parish is in the diocese of Dublin, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Athy : the tithes amount to £325. 19. 4.  In the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union of Athy.  About 120 children are educated under the National Board; and there is a private school, in which are about 30 children.  On the margin of the Barrow is a Danish rath.

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The Heath

The great Heath of Maryborough is one of the most well known sites in the county. It features Iron Age ring barrows, Bronze Age cultivated ridges, Rail Shane, an old aenoch where annual meetings were held, and a stone called Leach Keta, where the seven septs of Leix met.

TECOLME

Adjoining Corbally are the remains of the old church of this parochial district, the name of which signifies "the house of St. Colum, Colman, or Columba,"-these names being radically the same. The saint who gave name to this place is, most probably, St. Colman of Oughaval, Parish of Stradbally, who was of the family of the O'Mores of Leix, and a disciple of St. Columbkille, under whom he spent some years at Iona. He established himself at Stradbally about the middle of the 7th century.

Of the church at Tecolme only the west gable remains, in which was the doorway. Mounds indicate the outlines of this church, from which it appears to have been about 36 feet long by 18 wide. It is called in the locality, Teampull. A graveyard, in which it is situate, has ceased to be used for interment.

The Swan

This is one of the newest villages in Co. Laois & it is named after the pub!! In 1935 to create employment in the area Mr P.J. Fleming opened a Fire Clay Factory because all fireclay products were imported. The Swan offered an ideal location because it was at the centre of the fireclay deposits and local coal provided the energy source

Timahoe

The village of Timahoe is situated beautifully in a broad and fertile valley.  The houses are built around a large central green commonly known as the Goosegreen.  It takes its name from teach mo-Chua Mochua's House. St. Mochua established a monastery here in the seventh century. Burned in 1142, it was refounded by the O'Mores.  A 12th century round tower standing 96ft high is located in the village.  There was a monastic community here as late as 1650 when the friars were murdered by Colonel Hewson's troops at a spot known locally as "Boher a wurther" or the murdering road. Sights include an impressive Romanesque doorway and the Town Castle, built by Hugh de Lacy in 1189

Vicarstown

Vicarstown is an attractive inland harbour on the Grand Canal offering activities such as walking, cycling, boating and fishing.  Buildings of interest include the 1860’s Grattan School and Grattan Lodge built in 1882 by Henry Grattan’s granddaughter, Lady Pauline Grattan Bellow.  The 9th century Viking Ship fortress ‘Dunrally’ is located close by on the banks of the river Barrow.

Wolfhill

The Hill of the Howling Wolves. Similar to the Swan & Rossmore Wolfhill was an important coal mining area until the 1920’s.  The unexpected mountain setting gives the church of Wolfhill a sense of pilgrimage to a place apart. It is an area rich in archaeological evidence. The "Ass's Manger" is probably a Neolithic / Bronze age tomb. A Druids Alter (chambered cairn) probably dates from the same time period and was quite possibly used as a pagan place of worship. The altar gives its name to the townsland, Monamanary: the Plateau of the Druidesses. There is evidence that a stone circle surrounds it, the origin & usage of which are uncertain.

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