The community event takes place on Tuesday 12 August from 12 noon to 2pm.

The funding will be used to support the improvement of non-public roads in rural communities.

THE oldest festival in Laois will proudly unveil a big expansion when it returns on Sunday 17 August. The famous Festival of the Mountain in Glenbarrow, Rosenallis will be the biggest ever, since it was first held way back in 1962.

THE search for a young man who was missing from Co Kildare has been stood down, following the tragic discovery of a body.

The meeting takes place on Monday 11 August.

THREE tourism centres in Laois have been awarded more than €380,000, with the majority going to a former rectory that has been converted into self-catering accommodation.

May Elizabeth (Lil) rest in peace.

May Cornelius (Con) rest in peace.

THE theft of a heavy stone bench near a Laois church has caused annoyance and disbelief among locals. The unusual bench, featuring a stone seat on two sculpted horse heads, apparently disappeared during the August bank holiday weekend.

Raúl enjoyed and cherished life’s simple pleasures.

A PERPETUAL award in memory of an extraordinary teenager, who passed away suddenly last month aged just 15, was unveiled at the annual Cara Dog Fest in a sun-filled Emo Court Parklands.

AN Open Day at the gorgeous Gortnalee Gardens harvested almost €2,400 for the Laois Hospice Foundation. Owner Hazel Luskin is a stalwart supporter of the vital cause and regularly donates the proceeds of events held at her magnificent gardens.

The young people were led through a workshop of creating paper rockets as well as building and driving a remote-controlled robot.

As well as Portlaoise, said the Laois TD, other towns and villages should be identified for additional housing for people to be able to get homes closer to where they are from.

“The so-called ‘voluntary contributions’ must be addressed by Government," said the TD.

THE ‘Blueway Man’ – Michael G.

Helen Keenan (née Conroy), Church Street, Mountrath and formerly of Roundwood, Mountrath, Laois passed away unexpectedly on 6 August in St James’s Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by her loving family.

The death has occurred of Christy Bryan, Patrick Street, Portarlington, Laois-Offaly/Geashill, Offaly. Ex Bord Na Móna.

A POPULAR Laois café and restaurant will close its doors in September, after 30 years in business. Papa Noni takeaway restaurant in Abbeyleix announced its forthcoming closure today, due to the retirement of owners Tony and Joan Mezzapelle.

A PLANNING application has been lodged for a long-awaited new Primary Health Care Centre in Portlaoise.