Things to Do in Laois: The Midlands' Most Underrated Adventure Hub

Discover unmissable things to do in Laois, from ancient ruins and epic mountain trails to local festivals and hidden foodie spots that most tourists never find.

Bryan Collins

02 Jul 2025 — 9 min read

Laois (pronounced "leesh") sits at the crossroads of Ireland, a county often bypassed but rarely explored. What most travelers don't realize is that this ancient territory was once the seat of the powerful O'Moore clan who successfully rebelled against English rule in the 16th century, reclaiming lands in what became known as "The County of the Seven Septs of Laois." Unlike neighboring Kilkenny or Kildare, Laois managed to preserve much of its prehistoric landscape, boasting the highest concentration of prehistoric stone circles in the eastern half of Ireland.

The county's central location has made it a gathering point throughout Irish history, from ancient Celtic assemblies to modern music festivals. Today, Laois balances its agricultural heritage with unexpected adventure opportunities, artisan food scenes, and cultural experiences that rival its more famous Leinster neighbors—all without the crowds.

Must-See Laois Attractions

Rock of Dunamase

The dramatic limestone outcrop of Dunamase offers 360-degree views across the midlands, with ruins dating back to the 9th century when it served as an important defensive fort. The Anglo-Normans later expanded it into a formidable stronghold, though today it stands in atmospheric ruins. Visit early morning (before 10am) or near sunset for the best photography conditions and fewer visitors. You'll need about 90 minutes to properly explore the ruins and take in the views. While Trim Castle in Meath might be larger and more intact, Dunamase offers a wilder, more romantic ruin experience with far fewer tourists.

Emo Court House and Gardens

This magnificent neoclassical mansion designed by James Gandon (the architect behind Dublin's Custom House) features stunning gardens and woodlands covering over 250 acres. The house interior can be visited via guided tour (approximately 45 minutes), while the gardens deserve at least 2 hours. Summer weekends get busy, so aim for weekday visits. The ornamental lake and formal gardens rival those of Powerscourt in Wicklow, but with a more relaxed, less manicured charm that locals prefer.

Slieve Bloom Mountains

These ancient, rounded mountains are among Europe's oldest, formed over 400 million years ago and once towering higher than the Alps. Today, they offer exceptional hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives through blanket bog and forest. The 80km Slieve Bloom Way can be tackled in sections, with the Ridge of Capard viewpoint (a 30-minute walk from the car park) offering the famous "stairway to heaven" boardwalk with panoramic views across central Ireland. Allow a half-day minimum for a proper mountain experience. Unlike the busier Wicklow Mountains, you'll often have whole trails to yourself, especially midweek.

Timahoe Round Tower

This 12th-century round tower stands 96 feet tall with a beautifully decorated Romanesque doorway that ranks among the finest in Ireland. The surrounding monastic site includes ruins and a heritage center housed in a former church. You'll need about an hour to appreciate the site fully. Visit in the morning for the best light on the tower's eastern doorway. While Glendalough in Wicklow has a more complete monastic city, Timahoe offers a more intimate experience of Ireland's monastic heritage.

Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum

One of Ireland's most intact famine-era workhouses provides a sobering glimpse into the country's darkest period. The museum combines the harsh reality of workhouse life with a fascinating collection of agricultural implements. Plan for 1-2 hours to see everything, and consider calling ahead as opening hours can be seasonal. Unlike the larger workhouse museum in Portumna (Galway), Donaghmore maintains much of its original atmosphere, creating a more powerful emotional connection to this difficult history.

Abbeyleix Bog Project

This community-managed raised bog represents a successful conservation story where locals prevented peat harvesting and restored a significant habitat. A boardwalk trail brings visitors into this unique ecosystem without damaging it. The 8km loop takes about 2 hours and is best experienced in morning light when wildlife is most active. Guided walks are available on summer weekends. While Clara Bog in Offaly might be larger, Abbeyleix offers better access infrastructure and a compelling community conservation story.

The Heath

This ancient commonage has remained unplowed for thousands of years, preserving Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age ring forts, and medieval earthworks. The flat terrain makes for easy walking with interpretive signs explaining the archaeological significance. Circuit walks range from 3-8km, requiring 1-2 hours. The annual "Heath Races" continue a tradition of horseracing here that dates back over 4,000 years, making it possibly Europe's oldest sporting venue still in use.

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Hidden Laois Treasures

Grantstown Lake and Woods

This local fishing spot surrounded by native woodland remains curiously unknown to tourists despite its beauty. A 5km looped wildlife trail circles the lake, with floating boardwalks crossing wetland sections. Local fishermen swear the lake holds pike over 30 pounds, though they're notoriously difficult to catch. The lake was actually created in the 1950s when locals dammed a small river to provide a recreation area, demonstrating the community spirit that defines rural Laois.

Killeshin Romanesque Doorway

Just outside Carlow town but within County Laois stands the remains of a 12th-century church with one of Ireland's finest Romanesque doorways. The intricate carvings include human heads, geometrical patterns, and mysterious symbols that scholars still debate. What few visitors realize is that the church was built by the MacMurrough clan, the same family who invited the Normans to Ireland, forever changing the country's history. Local tradition claims that touching the worn face on the right side of the arch brings good luck in romance.

Waterfall Farm Retreat

Near Mountmellick, this working organic farm features a series of small but beautiful waterfalls along the Owenass River. The owners allow respectful visitors to access the falls via a marked pathway, though they appreciate a small donation to their conservation fund. The current farmers discovered evidence of an ancient mill system while clearing invasive plants in 2003, revealing that this site has been harnessing water power for over 800 years.

Ballagh Monastic Site

This overgrown early Christian site features unusual carved stones and a holy well that still attracts local devotees on pattern days. What makes it special is the ancient bullaun stone—a boulder with bowl-shaped depressions that fill with rainwater. According to local belief, this water has healing properties, particularly for eye ailments. An elderly resident nearby maintains the tradition of replacing flowers at the well every Sunday, continuing a practice that likely predates Christianity in the area.

Event Calendar

Spring Events

Laois Walking Festival (April) brings hikers from across Ireland to explore the county's varied landscapes through guided walks ranging from easy rambles to challenging hill hikes. Expert guides share insights about local history, ecology, and folklore during each walk.

Abbeyleix Bog Biodiversity Day (May) celebrates the unique ecology of raised bogs with guided nature walks, wildlife surveys, and hands-on conservation activities. The event coincides with the blooming of bog cotton, transforming the landscape into a sea of white tufts.

Summer Events

Electric Picnic (September) has grown from a boutique music festival to one of Ireland's largest cultural events, taking place at Stradbally Hall. Despite its size, it maintains stronger arts and cultural programming than many purely commercial festivals.

Old Fort Festival (June) transforms Portlaoise with historical reenactments, craft demonstrations, and performances celebrating the town's 16th-century fort heritage. The nighttime siege reenactment with pyrotechnics has become the festival highlight.

Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally (June) commemorates the famous 1903 motor race that passed through Laois. Vintage and classic cars follow the original route, with public displays in towns along the way.

Autumn Events

Laois Taste Fair (October) showcases the county's growing artisan food scene with tastings, demonstrations, and a producer marketplace. The competition for "Best Laois Sausage" has become surprisingly fierce among local butchers.

Scarecrow Festival (October) sees communities throughout Laois competing to create the most creative scarecrows, displayed along rural roads and in village centers. The tradition began as a practical farming technique but has evolved into an artistic expression with increasingly elaborate designs.

Winter Events

Christmas Market Trail (December) connects seasonal markets in Portlaoise, Mountmellick, and Abbeyleix, featuring local crafts, food, and entertainment. Each town adds its own traditions, from Mountmellick's famous papercraft displays to Abbeyleix's candlelight procession.

Slieve Bloom Winter Walking Festival (January) offers guided hikes through frosty mountain landscapes followed by warming meals in local pubs. The night hike under January's full moon has developed a cult following among outdoor enthusiasts.

Family Activities

Laois Outdoor Adventure Centre

This multi-activity center near Portarlington offers kayaking, archery, orienteering, and high ropes courses suitable for children from age 7 upward. The "Mini Rangers" program (ages 4-6) introduces younger children to nature exploration and basic outdoor skills. Allow 2-3 hours for a full experience. Advance booking through their website is essential during summer months.

Roll 'n' Bowl Entertainment Centre

This all-weather facility in Portlaoise combines ten-pin bowling, laser tag, and a soft play area, making it perfect for rainy days or evening entertainment. The center caters to different age groups with appropriately sized bowling equipment for children and a separate toddler play zone for the youngest visitors.

Dunmore Woods Fairy Trail

This enchanting woodland walk near Durrow features handcrafted fairy doors and houses hidden among the trees. The 2km looped trail is manageable for even young walkers, with activity sheets available from the nearby Castle Durrow hotel. Local children contribute to the fairy installations, adding new elements seasonally.

Irish Fly Fishing and Game Shooting Museum

More engaging than its formal name suggests, this unique museum in Attanagh offers hands-on experiences with traditional skills like fly-tying and wooden boat building. Children particularly enjoy the working exhibits of traps and snares that demonstrate how countryside life functioned before supermarkets. The owner's storytelling brings exhibits to life with personal anecdotes from a lifetime in rural Ireland.

Laois Pet Farm

This small family-run farm near Stradbally offers close encounters with traditional farm animals and more exotic creatures including alpacas and raccoons. The "Young Farmers" experience lets children collect eggs, groom ponies, and bottle-feed lambs (seasonal). The indoor play barn ensures entertainment regardless of weather conditions.

Local Business Highlights

The Pantry, Portlaoise

This café-deli has transformed local dining with its farm-to-table approach and exceptional baking. Their signature spelt sourdough uses grain grown and milled in the county, while their "Breakfast Blaa" (a filled soft bread roll) combines the traditional Waterford blaa with Laois rashers and black pudding. Don't miss their remarkable coffee, roasted in small batches by the owner's brother in nearby Abbeyleix.

Gallic Kitchen, Abbeyleix

Chef David Dunne combines French techniques with Irish ingredients at this acclaimed restaurant housed in an old creamery building. The "Laois Land and Sea" tasting menu changes seasonally but always features local game, foraged ingredients, and unexpected flavor combinations. Their signature dessert—honey crème brûlée using honey from the restaurant's own hives—perfectly exemplifies their local ethos.

The Merry Mill, Vicarstown

Ireland's only dedicated gluten-free oat farm and mill offers tours demonstrating how this family business grows, processes, and packages their certified organic oats. Their on-site shop sells their award-winning porridge alongside a range of oat-based products from cookies to skincare items. The homemade oat milk served in their tiny café gives commercial versions a serious run for their money.

Nook & Cranny, Mountmellick

This independent bookshop specializes in Irish literature and Laois heritage publications you won't find in chain stores. The owner, a former librarian, offers personalized reading recommendations that customers claim are "unnervingly accurate." The shop also stocks locally made crafts focused on the traditional Mountmellick whitework embroidery, with demonstrations on Saturday mornings.

Visit Laois

Laois delivers authentic experiences without the tourist crowds that can overwhelm more famous Leinster destinations. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the midlands or a rewarding detour between Dublin and Ireland's west coast. What distinguishes Laois is the genuine welcome from locals who are surprised and delighted that visitors have discovered their home—a place where tourism hasn't yet changed the rhythm of daily life.

Whether you're scaling ancient ruins, cycling forest trails, or chatting with stallholders at a local food market, Laois offers the increasingly rare opportunity to experience a part of Ireland that remains largely unchanged by tourism. The county's motto—"As Strong as the Rock of Dunamase"—reflects not just its geological features but the enduring character of a place that stands firmly in its own identity, waiting for travelers willing to look beyond the obvious.

Now, check out our guide about things to do in Kilkenny.

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