First campsite opens in south Laois
Deputy Seán Fleming cracks open the champagne at the official opening of Ruth's Garden campsite on 30 July. Photo: Jeff Harvey
THE first campsite in south Laois has officially opened, in an idyllic rural setting beside the famous Woodenbridge.
The Ballygarvan community gathered full of excitement on Wednesday evening, as the cheerful red gate welcomed the first visitors to Ruth’s Garden Tent Campsite near Ballacolla.
The official opening was performed by Deputy Seán Fleming, who enthusiastically cracked open a bottle of champagne along with Laois Tourism officer Jo Anne Nolan and community activist Michael G. Phelan.
The campsite is situated just 600 metres from Woodenbridge and the Erkina Blueway Canoe Trail, adjacent to a network of popular walking and cycling trails and also offers kayak hire.
Plans are also underway to extend camping facilities for the 2026 season, to include a park-up campervan site off the adjacent Killarney's Lane.
A delighted Michael G. Phelan, who chairs the Woodenbridge Paddlers Canoe Club and the Erkina Blueway Association, said on social media that all the children of Ballygarvan turned out for what was a landmark and memorable occasion, with neighbours and friends enjoying the wonderful opening celebration on 30 July.
Ruth's Garden is a 10-minute walk from the Manor Stone service station near Ballacolla, at Junction 3 of the M8 motorway, which has a Supermac's and Papa John's. It is a five-minute drive from Durrow and about a 15-minute drive from the heritage town of Abbeyleix.
The Ruth's Garden campsite Eircode is R32Y6A2 and the site can be contacted at 087 2395357.
