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News rss

Name roads after local ‘characters’

CLLR Matthew Keegan would like to see roads in Portlaoise named after “local characters”, instead of the usual dignitaries.

‘Good girl’ brought drugs to prison

A 19-year-old woman who tried to bring drugs into the Midlands Prison was told by Judge Catherine Staines that she was an educated girl who should have kno
wn better.

Mr Peter Carey, Laois County manager, Sen John Whelan, Minister Quinn, Cllr Kathleen O'Brien, Cllr Mary Sweeney, Dep Charlie Flanagan. Picture Denis Byrne. Picture Denis Byrne.

Minister urged to back school in Ballyroan

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was urged to give the green light to Ballyroan’s news school during his visit to Portlaoise last week.

Lake Way eyesore is gone at last

The contentious walled depot built on the green in Lake Way, Kilminchy, is no more.

A family of swans enjoy a swim in Kilminchy lake, Portlaoise.

All going swimmingly in Kilminchy estate

A new swan family is gliding on Kilminchy lake, reflecting a peaceful new start for the largest housing estate in Laois.

Thief drives off in stolen truck in Portarlington

Portarlington Lions Club President Willie Murphy is asking the public to help them to find the truck. a blue Toyota Dyna pickup, registration number 97 KE 3987.

Sport rss

Billy Sheehan, Laois battles with Adrian Reid and Ronan Carroll, Louth in the NFL at O'Moore Park.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HR Photo.ie

Laois ‘ready for battle’ as Louth come calling

Laois senior footballers will look to get their 2013 championship campaign off to the perfect start this Sunday when they welcome Louth to O’Moore Park.

McNulty names team for Louth clash this Sunday

The Laois team to play Louth this Sunday has been named, with Damien O’Connor a surprise inclusion ahead of Billy Sheehan, while veteran Padraig Clancy also misses out along with Kevin Meaney.

Manager Pat Critchley watches Laois against Offaly in the Leinster MHC at O'Moore Park.
Picture: Alf Harvey/hrphoto.ie

Critchley targets bigger days ahead

Laois manager Pat Critchley admitted he was delighted to see his team finally play to their potential, as they comfortably saw off Offaly to book a place in the Leinster semi-final.

At the finals of the Starball Tennis League were Division 2 Winners Mountrath: Sebastian Beyer, Benjamin Duffield, Tiegan O'Connor and Sarah O'Connor.

Table Tennis the winner as young 
and old do battle for different titles

Castletown Community Centre was the venue for the annual league tournament and presentation night at the end of another Starball League season of competition.

Lifestyle rss

Slieve Bloom hike for charity

Hill walkers and Pieta House supporters are being invited to take part in a memorable day long hike in the Slieve Blooms next Saturday May 25, in aid of the suicide counselling service.

Have your say on Laois heritage

THOSE looking to have their say on the heritage Laois can do so by submitting ideas to Laois County Council and by attending a meeting next week.

Talented Sarah is the Voice of Laois

It may have been Eurovision Final night across Europe on Saturday night last, but in the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow all eyes were on the 15 finalists vying for the title of Young Voice of Laois 2014.

Members of the youth theatre on stage

Youth theatre success

The Dunamaise Arts Centre saw Stradbally Youth Theatre put in a remarkable performance on Saturday 4th May. The members of the youth theatre presented DNA, a dark comedy by Dennis Kelly, directed by Siobhán Coffey and Trevor Mulhare.

Mountmellick to host film

THE Europe Direct information centre in Mountmellick Library will host a special screening of Irland und seine Kinder (Children of Eire) on Saturday May 18 from 12pm to 12.45pm.

Paula, Pierce, Niamh and Tony at the SERVE coffee morning in Timahoe Hall which was held on Easter Sunday.

Five Laois volunteers are ready to SERVE in disadvantaged countries

Five young people from Laois will take part in volunteer projects with SERVE this summer. Paula Quigley and Pierce Bennett (both Timahoe) will volunteer in South Africa with Tapologo and Tsholofelo, Tony Loughnane (also Timahoe) and Niamh McDermott (Mountmellick) will travel to Mozambique to volunteer with Young Africa and Sarah Delaney (Rathineska) will volunteer with Morning Star in India.
 In South Africa, near Rustenburg, Paula and Pierce will be assisting on the building and renovation of health and training centres, with Paula taking on the role of Group Leader. Tens of thousands of people live in shacks in squatter camps such as Freedom Park, and SERVE’s partners Tapologo and Tsholofelo provide services including home-based care and vocational skills training.
This will be Paula’s second trip abroad with SERVE, having previously volunteered with them in 2009.
“I’ve been involved with SERVE on and off since 2009, when I volunteered in the Philippines with them. I’ve been doing some fundraising and then an opportunity came up to work with them for a year, and I jumped at it.”
Paula became involved with Serve having attended an information session in college in Cork.
“They were recruiting in CIT (Cork Institute of Technology), where I was studying. I seen it advertised and decided to go to the information session and it all went from there.”
Paula, Pierce and Tony, go back along way, having all grown up together in Timahoe. While Pierce become involved through Paula, he is looking forward to the experience and helping those in need.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I had to drop out of a trip to Zambia when I was in 5th year in the CBS in Portlaoise because of my studies. I wasn’t going to miss out when the opportunity came again.”
Pierce continues: “What you see on television is not really real, I wanted to go and see it and experience it for myself. Even if I help one person, it will be worthwhile.”
The Heath Golf Club barman said that his family were naturally a bit worried when he first said he was going.
“They were a little bit worried and they had lots of questions about what I would be doing and my safety and vaccines, but they trust me to look after myself too,” he said.
In Beira, Mozambique, Tony and Niamh will be working on the construction of Young Africa’s new agricultural skills training centre, which will train people from the local area in agricultural working practices and techniques. The volunteers will also be taking part in arts, sports and youth leadership workshops. Young Africa’s aim is to provide young people with the technical, business and life skills to support themselves, their families and their communities.
Tony decided to volunteer after hearing what a life changing experience it was from other people who had experience of it.
“Everybody I have discussed this with who has experience of volunteering says it is a life changing experience.” 
He continues: “What impressed me and gained my interest is the fact that SERVE realises that throwing money at people in these severely disadvantaged areas will not solve their problems. By investing in infrastructure, education, and working in partnership with people to empower themselves real and sustainable.”
Ratheniska’s Sarah, who recently graduated with a degree in Social Care, will volunteer with Morning Star in Bangalore, India. The Morning Star Learning Centre project provides care and education for orphaned and abandoned children. Many of the young people there have learning and physical disabilities, and the centre also encompasses a residential home.
Similar to Paula, Sarah signed up after attending an information day while in college in Waterford IT. 
“When they came to the college I just decided to do it. I finished college last year and I’m just working part time, so now is a good time to go while I have the time.”
With her background in social care, Sarah will be working with children in an orphanage with disabilities.

Community rss

Life in Meaghers - The large Meagher family gathering event which took place in Portlaoise Rugby Club last Saturday May 11.

Meaghers reunite for family gathering

There is definitely life in Meaghers, as proven by the large family who gathered for a night of music and fun in Portlaoise Rugby Club recently.

Cuisle Centre Portlaoise

‘Friends of Cuisle’ launched at centre

THERE was a huge attendance at the recent launch of the ‘Friends of Cuisle’ night

Mountrath notes

Daffodil Day

Seamus O'Donoghue ( Chairman , Laois Hospice Foundation ) accepts a cheque for 1,500 Euro from Ken Graham ( President -Irish Steam Preservation Society ,Stradbally )  proceeds from the Annual Stradbally  Steam Rally.
            Photo: Michael Sully - no reproduction fee .

stradbally

DRAWING DAY

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Weather for Portlaoise

Friday 24 May 2013

5 day forecast

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Cloudy

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Temperature: 6 C to 13 C

Wind Speed: 18 mph

Wind direction: North

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