Essential Ireland > County Laois > Attractions
Ballaghmore Castle
Dublin Road
Borris-in-Ossory
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)505 21453
Ballaghmore Castle was constructed in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain MacGiollaphadraig. Although the castle was partially destroyed by Cromwellian forces in 1647, it was restored in the 19th century and is now one of County Laois’s premier tourist attractions. The castle is set amid 30 acres of land and can be rented for weddings and private parties for example.
Dublin Road
Borris-in-Ossory
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)505 21453
Ballaghmore Castle was constructed in 1480 by the Gaelic Chieftain MacGiollaphadraig. Although the castle was partially destroyed by Cromwellian forces in 1647, it was restored in the 19th century and is now one of County Laois’s premier tourist attractions. The castle is set amid 30 acres of land and can be rented for weddings and private parties for example.
Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum
Donaghmore
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)86 829 6685
The Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum tells the story of the Laois families who lived and died within the workhouse walls before, during and following the height of the Great Famine. Using guided tours of the dormitories, kitchen and waiting hall as well as numerous exhibits, it is one of the most fascinating museums in the country.
Donaghmore
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)86 829 6685
The Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum tells the story of the Laois families who lived and died within the workhouse walls before, during and following the height of the Great Famine. Using guided tours of the dormitories, kitchen and waiting hall as well as numerous exhibits, it is one of the most fascinating museums in the country.
Emo Court
Locality
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)57 862 6573
Emo Court is a magnificent neo-classical house dating from 1790. The inside contains a number of spectacular rooms, most notably the domed rotunda inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The house is also surrounded by acres of parklands, lakes and woodland walks. The house was initially built for the Earl of Portarlington and was then used by Jesuits from 1930 as a seminary before being restored to the beautiful mansion we see today.
Locality
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)57 862 6573
Emo Court is a magnificent neo-classical house dating from 1790. The inside contains a number of spectacular rooms, most notably the domed rotunda inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The house is also surrounded by acres of parklands, lakes and woodland walks. The house was initially built for the Earl of Portarlington and was then used by Jesuits from 1930 as a seminary before being restored to the beautiful mansion we see today.
Rock of Dunamase
Portlaoise
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)57 862 1178
The Rock of Dunamase is one of the most impressive and spectacularly located ancient fortifications in Ireland. The rock has been fortified since the Bronze Age, with a number of castles having been built on the site over the centuries. The ruined castle that now stands on the rock dates largely from the 15th century, with much of it having been destroyed by Cromwell’s forces in the late 17th century.
Portlaoise
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)57 862 1178
The Rock of Dunamase is one of the most impressive and spectacularly located ancient fortifications in Ireland. The rock has been fortified since the Bronze Age, with a number of castles having been built on the site over the centuries. The ruined castle that now stands on the rock dates largely from the 15th century, with much of it having been destroyed by Cromwell’s forces in the late 17th century.
The Slieve Bloom Way
Portlaoise
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
This circular walking route takes walkers through the spectacular Slieve Bloom Mountains and its collection of magnificent glens, rocky out-crops and romantic waterfalls. On clear days it is even possible to see the highest points of each of Ireland's four provinces.
Portlaoise
County Laois
Republic of Ireland
This circular walking route takes walkers through the spectacular Slieve Bloom Mountains and its collection of magnificent glens, rocky out-crops and romantic waterfalls. On clear days it is even possible to see the highest points of each of Ireland's four provinces.