Portlaoise

Portlaoise, known until 1929 as Maryborough, is the county town of County Laois, Ireland. It is located in the South Midlands in the province of Leinster.

From 2011 to 2016, Portlaoise was the fastest-growing town in Ireland among the top 20 largest towns and cities. The 2022 census showed the town's population grew by 6.6% to 23,494 people, making it the most populous and densely populated town in the Midland Region.

Historically, Portlaoise was important in the sixteenth century as the site of the Fort of Maryborough, built by English settlers during the Plantation of Queen's County.

The town is surrounded by the Slieve Bloom mountains to the west and north-west and the Great Heath of Maryborough to the east. It is well-connected by roads, located 94 km west-southwest from Dublin on the M7 motorway, 170 km north-east from Cork on the M8 and M7, and 114 km east-northeast from Limerick on the M7.

Once known for making iron and steel buildings, tennis balls, rubber seals, tyres, electrical cabling, and Ireland's first aircraft, Portlaoise today is a commercial center with a strong service sector. It is a hub for shopping, transport, and events for the surrounding area.

History

The town of Portlaoise began around an old fort called "Fort of Leix" or "Fort Protector." Building the fort started in 1548 to help control the area. The fort was built on high ground with natural defenses from a river and a ridge, making it a strong spot.

In 1557, the town was officially named Maryborough. Over the years, many important buildings were built, like churches, a court house, and a hospital. In 1929, the town’s name was changed to Portlaoise, and the county became County Laois.

Local government

The town is part of the Portlaoise local electoral area and municipal district for elections to the Laois County Council. This includes the urban Portlaoise area, Abbeyleix, Ballinakill, and the surrounding rural areas. As of 2020, the Portlaoise local electoral area had a population of 31,794 people. The Portlaoise Town Council was closed down in 2014 under new laws. The town's old Town Hall, built in a French style, was destroyed by a fire in 1945.

Portlaoise has a partnership with Coulounieix-Chamiers, Dordogne, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France.

Demography

Portlaoise grew quickly in Ireland from 2006 to 2011, with its population increasing by almost 38%. By the 2016 census, the town and its nearby areas had more than 22,000 people, and by 2022, the population reached 23,494.

In 2022, about 28.5% of the people living in Portlaoise were not born in Ireland, which is higher than the national average. The largest group was from Poland. Portlaoise also had its first mayor of African descent. Because of its fast growth, the town built new schools, a fire station, and a big swimming complex. Many young people live there, with a high percentage under age 15.

2016 census 2022 census Rotimi Adebari

Climate

Portlaoise has an oceanic climate. This means the weather there is mild and changes slowly throughout the year.

Economy

Portlaoise is an important place for business and shopping in the Midlands area. In the past, people in the town worked mainly in flour milling and making special fabric. Today, big jobs come from places like Portlaoise Prison and Midlands Prison, where many important people are kept safe. Other big employers include the Department of Agriculture, the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, and companies like Córas Iompair Éireann for trains, ESB for electricity, and An Post for mail.

Because of its good location, Portlaoise was chosen to be Ireland’s first "Inland Port," helping it grow as a place for storing and moving goods. An Post also runs a very busy mail center there.

Retail

Shopping places in Portlaoise include Laois Shopping Centre with Tesco, The Kyle Centre with Dunnes Stores, Parkside Shopping Centre with Super Valu, and the Kylekiproe road area with shops like Aldi, Lidl, and Shaws Department Stores. There are also retail parks in Kea Lew and on the South Circular Road.

Tourism

Nearby, you can visit the Rock of Dunamase, a big castle from the 1100s, and a tall round tower in Timahoe. There is also Fort Protector, an old fort from the 1500s, and Emo Court, a grand house designed by James Gandon.

Transport

Portlaoise is a key spot where many important roads meet, linking it to cities like Dublin, Limerick, and Cork. A big highway called the M7 motorway now goes around the town, helping to keep traffic from crowding the center.

The town's train station, Portlaoise railway station, is very busy and has trains going to and from Dublin and Cork. There are also trains that stop in many places along the way. The station has many trains each day, making it a important stop for travelers.

There used to be buses that went between Dublin and Cork stopping in Portlaoise, but they stopped running in 2020. In 2025, a new bus service started in Portlaoise with buses running every half hour on two different routes.

Nearby, the Stradbally Steam Museum shows old steam engines and lets people ride on a short train track for fun.

Aviation History

Portlaoise is where aviation began in Ireland. The first airplane made in Ireland was built there by Frank and Louis Aldritt, along with William Rogers and John Conroy. It flew for the first time on November 4, 1909. During World War I, the airplane was stored away. More than 50 years later, it was found in a museum in England by Joe Rogers, the son of William Rogers. The airplane was then brought back to Portlaoise and restored.

Culture and community

Portlaoise is a lively town with many places to eat, drink, and have fun. It’s especially popular for special celebrations and weekend trips. The town has many activities nearby, like paintball, golf, and bowling.

Each year, Portlaoise holds several fun festivals. In June, there’s the Old Fort Quarter Festival. In October, there’s a comedy festival called Halloween Howls. And in November, there’s the Leaves Literary Festival. The Dunamaise Arts Centre shows movies, performances, and art exhibits. It’s located in a building that used to be a old jail.

Other yearly events include the Stradbally Steam Rally in August and the All-Ireland Scarecrow Festival in Durrow at the end of July, where you can see giant scarecrows made by local groups and children.

Portlaoise also supports charities. Since 2008, it has been the Irish home of Self Help Africa, an organization that helps people in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sport

Portlaoise has many places where people can play sports. Portlaoise RFC is a rugby club based just outside the town. Portlaoise GAA is the top club in the Gaelic Athletic Association for the area. There are also clubs for soccer and basketball.

The town has good sports facilities. The Portlaoise Leisure Centre has a long swimming pool, a gym, places to play soccer, and a skate park. Portlaoise Golf Club has a course with 18 holes.

Education

Portlaoise College is close to the center of Portlaoise and teaches over 900 students who are preparing for important school exams.

Portlaoise Institute provides classes for adults who want to learn new skills. These classes include beauty therapy, hairdressing, healthcare, business, computer skills, and sports management.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Portlaoise

• Damien Bowe - singer and former member of an Irish boyband D-Side.
• Pat Boran – poet and radio presenter
• Pat Critchley – GAA dual player (Footballer & All Star winner at Hurling)
• TJ Doheny - Professional Boxer, former IBF World Super Bantamweight Title holder.
• James Fitzmaurice – aviation pioneer
• Stephen Hunt – association football player, was born in Portlaoise in 1981
• Arthur Jacob – Professor of Anatomy (Ophthalmologist)
• Anne Keenan-Buckley (1962-) - middle-distance runner who was on the Irish 1988 Summer Olympics team.
• Pádraig Mac Lógáin – the only two-time President of Sinn Féin owned a pub on Main Street
• Eoghan Masterson – professional rugby player for Connacht
• Alison Miller – professional rugby player
• Bartholomew Mosse – founder of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin
• Sean O'Rourke – RTÉ journalist and broadcaster
• Colm Parkinson - retired Gaelic footballer and journalist
• Brian Rigney - (born 22 September 1963) is an Irish former rugby union player who won 8 caps for his country between 1991 and 1992.
• Robert Sheehan – actor (Misfits, Love/Hate, The Umbrella Academy).
• Zach Tuohy – Australian Football League premiership player