A SPECTACULAR art exhibition by Portarlington resident Seán Conlon was launched recently in Bloom HQ, Mountrath. The Newbridge native opened his art gallery and framing shop in the Laois town more than ten years ago.

AN amazing 30-acre plot near Portlaoise where Brendan Guinan, owner of Fiorbhia Farm, works without the use chemical fertilisers, sprays or antibiotics to produce minimally processed nutrient-rich food that’s sold directly to local families.

FOR over 20 years, Access Cinema has partnered with the Irish Film Institute to organise a May film tour where screenings nationwide coincide with the Bealtaine Festival.

THE Sliabh Bloom Association celebrated its golden anniversary recently with the unveiling of two commemorative plaques near the Ridge of Capard. The voluntary organisation protects and promotes the beautiful mountain range between Laois and Offaly.

FOLLOWING on from a successful first solo art exhibition at Bloom HQ in Mountrath in January, spiritual artist Anna Kupper filled the three-roomed gallery space of Mountmellick library with over 70 vibrant pieces for the library’s April art show.

A BOOK of short stories and poetry by local man Mick Morrissey was launched in Mountmellick Library recently by creative writing tutor Ryan Dunne.

ABBEYLEIX library is hosting a wonderful art display by talented Latvian born artist Inguna Mainule-Finnerty, who holds a master’s degree in art and process.

A WONDERFUL display of vibrant paintings by Mary Slevin from Mount Henry, Killenard was launched recently in The Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ, Mountrath.

A LITERARY event took place in Portlaoise Library recently where bestselling crime fiction author Andrea Carter spoke about her latest book There Came A-Tapping.

CORK-BASED artist Nadia Rice returned to her Slieve Bloom roots for her first solo art exhibition in the Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Nadia’s artwork is inspired by the natural world and she primarily works with ink pens.

THE recent Clothes Swap and Sustainable Fashion event at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise was a great success, with ever-increasing numbers taking advantage of the eco-fashion initiative.

BEST-SELLING crime fiction author Andrea Carter from Ballyfin will hold a book-signing event in Portlaoise Library for the release of her latest novel ***There Came A-Tapping***.

MEMBERS of Mountrath Library recently welcomed award-winning international best-selling writer Niamh Boyce as their author guest for Ireland Reads Day.

HORSE breeder Christopher Davis from Stradbally is growing vegetable and flower seeds to raise funds for the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). The Wicklow-based charity is close to Christopher’s heart because it rescues and rehomes horses.

COMEDIAN Norma Sheahan’s new stand-up comedy show It’s Wine O’Clock is selling out in theatres around the country and her racy over-18s revue is coming to the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise on Friday 28 February.

A SUPERB collection of photorealism graphite artworks by 21-year-old Laois artist Joe O’Toole was launched in Abbeyleix Library and Gallery last week.  Entitled ‘Genesis’, this is Joe’s first solo exhibition.

THE FIRST art exhibition in Laois for 2025 was launched on Saturday 4 January in The Gallery of Divine Inspiration at Bloom HQ Mountrath with the unveiling of a vibrant collection of paintings by Anna Kupper in her first solo show in Ireland.

A VIBRANT exhibition depicting a wide variety of styles by artist Pauline O’Connor is currently on display in Mountmellick Library and Art Gallery for the month of December.

THE Dunamaise Arts Centre held its first Christmas Market on the last weekend of November.

IN PORTLAOISE last Thursday, work was underway filling 750 Christmas shoeboxes for disadvantaged children overseas when volunteer extraordinaire and ex-dressmaker Dorothy Anne Reid arrived with 550 knitted hats and 535 handmade fabric bags for ...