|
County Laois
Province: Leinster
County Size: 23rd in Ireland
Land Area: 664 sq. Miles
Highest Point: Arderin Mtn (528 m)
Main Rivers: Barrow, Nore
Areas of Geographical Interest:
Slieve Bloom Envoirnmental Park, Heywood Gardens in Ballinakill, Rock of Dunamase.
Areas of Historical Interest:
Abbeyleix House and Gardens, Kinnity Castle, Killeshin Church, Donaghmore workhouse.
The County
Population: 52,945
County Capital: Portlaoise
Main Towns: Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington
Main Business Contact: Laois County Enterprise Board: IBS House, Dublin Rd, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel 0502-61800
No. of Schools: National 68; Secondry 13
No. of Golf Clubs: 5
Portlaoise
Portlaoise, the county town, was once called Maryborough. In the reign of Philip and Mary it was fortified as part of a plan to subdue the local chiefs, the O' Mores, but nothing remains apart from the outer wall of the tower. Golf (18) at 'The Heath', tennis. A jazz festival is held at the beginning of June each year.
Transport
Main Routes: Portlaoise is served by major routes N7 (to Dublin); N80-N52-N1-A1-M1 (to Belfast); N8 (to Cork); N7-N62-N65-N6-N18 (to Galway).
Miles From: Dublin (52); Belfast (152); Cork (104); Galway (89).
Nearest Travel Centre (Bus): Bus Eireann, Plunket Station, Waterford. Tel 051-879000
Nearest Rail Station: Portlaoise Station Tel 0502-21303
Nearest Airport: Dublin Airport. Tel 01-814 1111
Nearest Ferry Port: Dublin (+52 miles)
|
