ONE of the biggest public playgrounds in Laois will close next week until further notice, while major upgrades are carried out. Rathdowney Playground will be closed from Monday 1 December, as work begins on a €95,000 makeover.

Dunamase College/Coláiste Dhún Másc was recently chosen as one of 20 schools to participate in a training day for the SPOTLITE programme.  The initiative was developed by St Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, during the 2022/2023 school year.

THE Laois Services to Elderly People (LSTEP) programme promotes independent living for older people in Laois, empowering them to enjoy the best quality of life in their own homes.

A BRILLIANT secondary school team has won the 2025 Battle of Wits title in Laois. Heywood Community School transition year (TY) students had all the answers, when they fought a tough table quiz battle to take the overall title.

Elizabeth (Lily) Donovan (née O'Neill), Clonard, Mountrath, Laois/Castletown, Laois and formerly of Tully East, Kildare died peacefully on 25 November in her 90th year, surrounded by her loving family, in the wonderful and loving care of the staff ...

GALWAY artist Sarah Loughnane emailed Mountmellick Library on 4 November on the off chance that there might be an upcoming cancellation by an artist for a monthly exhibition - and was told by branch manager Amanda Hyland that on that very day a slot ...

AN appeal has been launched for a 15-year-old girl who is missing from Portlaoise. Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Lucy Cawley, who was reported missing since Sunday 23 November.

A LARGE turkey farm in Laois has been hit by a devastating outbreak of bird flu. The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the disease was detected at the farm, just before the weekend.

Kathleen Evans (née Murphy), late of Blackburn, England and formerly 7 Lakeglen, Portlaoise, Laois passed away peacefully on 20 October, surrounded by her loving husband Glyn and family Melissa, Susie, Robert and DJ.

Breda Vickers (née Mahon), Wicklow Town, Wicklow and formerly Co Laois passed away peacefully on Monday 24 November at St Vincent’s University Hospital. Predeceased by her parents Paddy and Bridie Mahon.

Mary Dowling (née Bergin), Knocknoo, Ballyfoyle, Co Kilkenny and formerly of Ballymeelish, Ballybrophy, Co Laois passed away peacefully on 24 November at Aut Even Hospital, after a short illness.

According to reports, staff at the Portlaoise Mail Centre staged a mass walkout on Monday night (24th) following what were described as insensitive comments made by a senior member of staff.

Gardaí in Portlaoise investigating the murder of William Delaney, who went missing on Wednesday 30th January, 2019, have released the three people (two women and a man) who were arrested on Monday 24th November 2025, in connection with this ...

A MAN who had previously pleaded guilty to assault, criminal damage and with violent disorder in Mountmellick was given to next April to gather up the full compensation for the damage he caused.

THREE people have been arrested in relation to the murder of a Portlaoise man, who disappeared without trace nearly seven years ago.

A SPEEDING fine raffle to reward drivers who obey the speed limits has been suggested by a local councillor. Cllr Aisling Moran made the novel proposal at a council meeting, saying that a pilot project in Sweden had proved very successful.

A FAMOUS pub threw open its doors for a full day of celebrations on Saturday, as Morrissey’s of Abbeyleix marked its 250th birthday.

Patrick (Paddy) Langton, Rathnamanagh, Portlaoise, Laois died peacefully on 23 November, surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his wife Mary.

John Costigan, Clonad, Portlaoise, Laois died peacefully on 23 November at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his wife Ellen.

A CULPRIT has come forward after climbing the newly-erected Christmas Tree in Portarlington last night, causing damage to the lights.