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Irish Film and Television Network » Locations2 » Laois
| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE - LAOIS |
| TRAVEL INFORMATION |
| Take the N7 from Dublin to reach County Laois. The Dublin-Cork railway line serves the county with stations at Portarlington, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy. Bus Eireann provide services to County Laois from Dublin and surrounding counties. |
| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Laois is largely a farming area. To the north is the Slieve Bloom mountain range and the River Barrow borders the eastern side. The county town of Portlaoise is renowned for its maximum security prison. |
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| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE |
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 TRANSPORT |
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Bus
Bus Eireann provide services to County Laois from Dublin and other counties.
For further information on bus services telephone:
01 8366111 ( Dublin).
Rail
The Dublin / Cork line serves Co. Laois with stations at Portarlington, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy.
For further information on rail services, telephone:
8266222 ( Dublin), or
0502 21303 (Portlaoise).
Sea
Ireland is linked to Britain and Europe by a number of car-ferry routes. The main ports of entry are Cork, Dublin and Rosslare - all of which are between 1.5 and 3 hours drive from Portlaoise.
Airports
Dublin Airport is situated approximately 6 miles outside the city centre. |
01 8141111 |
Car Rental Agencies
Practical Car and Van Rentals |
Portlaoise |
0502 22955 |
Taxi Companies
Charles Bourke |
19 Market Square , Portlaoise, Laois. |
0502 60626 |
Cleary Cabs |
7 Davin Park, Mountmellick, Co. Laois. |
088 512111 |
Sean Delaney |
1 Vicarstown Rd. , Stradbally, Portlaoise |
0502 25409 |
Galvin's Cab Service |
25 Lake Glen, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. |
0502 557799 |
K & M Cabs |
31 St. Bridgit's Pl., Portarlington, Co. Laois. |
0502 43464 |
Michael Moore |
35 St . John's Square, Portlaoise. |
0502 21711 |
Aircraft Hire
Airlink Airways |
Dublin |
01 8402964 |
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| ACCOMMODATION |
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Hotels
Castle Arms Hotel |
The Square, Durrow, Co. Laois. |
0502 36117 |
East End Hotel |
Main St. , Portarlington, Co. Laois. |
0502 23225 |
Hibernian Hotel |
Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. |
0502 31252 |
Killeshin Hotelv |
Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. |
0502 21663 |
Leix County Hotel |
Borris-in -Ossory, Co. Laois. |
0505 41213 |
Montague Hotel |
Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. |
0502 26154 |
O'Loughlin's Hotel |
30 Main St. , Portlaoise, Co. Laois. |
0502 21305. |
Flat Rental Agencies
Office Rental Agencies
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| GOVERNMENT OFFICES |
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County Council Offices |
County Hall, Portlaoise. |
0502 22044 |
County Laois Arts Officer |
Muireann Ni Chonaill, Laois County Hall, Portla |
0502 22044 |
Office of Public Works |
District Office |
0502 21133 |
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| KEY LOCATIONS |
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 RURAL
Slieve Bloom
North Laois is dominated by the Slieve Bloom mountain range. The Slieve Bloom Way takes you along the bed of a pre-Ice Age river valley.
Clonsast Bog
The 4000-acre Clonsast Bog is four miles north of Portarlington.
Heywood Gardens , Ballinakill.
A formal garden, designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, surrounded by woodland and lakes and containing gazebos and sunken terraces.
Abbeyleix House Gardens
These attractive gardens are only open two days a year.
COASTAL
River Barrow
The Barrow borders the eastern part of county Laois.
HISTORICAL
Emo Court
This magnificent neo-classical house, designed by James Gandon for the Earl of Portarlington, is surrounded by vast parklands. Its dome covers a lavish blue and gilt saloon ceiling. Another building by Gandon is the nearby Coolbanagher Church.
Lea Castle
This ruin from the 13th century, once a Fitzgerald stronghold is two miles east of Portarlington. Edward Bruce torched it in 1315.
Rock of Dunamase
Four miles east of Portlaoise lies the ruins of a 12th century castle of the King of Leinster. The earthworks 500 yards to the east are known as Cromwell’s lines.
Castle Durrow
This was the first great Palladian house to be built in this area. Today it is a convent.
Roundwood House
This 18th century Palladian mansion, near Mountrath, is lavishly decorated in Georgian colours and has a Chinese Chippendale-style staircase. It is now a guest-house.
INTERIORS
Roundwood House
This 18th century Palladian mansion, near Mountrath, is lavishly decorated in Georgian colours and has a Chinese Chippendale-style staircase. It is now a guest-house.
Emo Court
This magnificent neo-classical house, designed by James Gandon for the Earl of Portarlington, is surrounded by vast parklands. Its dome covers a lavish blue and gilt saloon ceiling.
URBAN
Portlaoise
The town was fortified in the reign of Philip and Mary, but only the outer wall of a tower remains. It houses a maximum security jail.
Stradbally
A few miles west of Portlaoise, this town is noted for its narrow-guage railway at Stradbally Hall where a 19th century steam locomotive runs.
Abbeyleix
Named after its Cistercian Abbey, this town was remodelled by Viscount de Vesci in the 18th century. It is a designated heritage town.
Portarlington
A former Huguenot colony, Portarlington has a French Church and Georgian architecture.
Mountmellick
Founded in the 17th century by quakers, Mountmellick, is most famous for its embroidery.
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| TOURIST OFFICES |
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James Fintan Lawlor Avenue , Portlaoise. |
0502-21178 |
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| GARDAI/POLICE |
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Abbeyleix |
0502 31202 |
Borris-in-Ossary |
0505 41122 |
Portarlington |
0502 23112 |
Portlaoise |
0502 21105 |
Mountmellick |
0502 24140 |
Mountrath |
0502 32236 |
Rathdowney |
0505 46122 |
Stradbally |
0502 25222 |
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| HOSPITALS |
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Laois General Hospital , Portlaoise. |
0502 21364 |
District Hospital Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. |
0502 31204 |
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| UTILITIES |
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ESB - Electricity Supply Board
Laois |
Portlaoise |
0502 21327 |
Waste Disposal
Erwin Cobbe |
Kilbride, Portarlington. |
0502 23227 |
Midland Refuse Services |
90 Main St. , Portlaoise. |
0502 20770 |
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