Packed schedule for return of Laois Walks festival

It's time to pull out the walking boots and explore Laois on foot, with the welcome return of the Laois Walks festival after four years.

The festival will run for the four weekends of June, with 12 guided walks of varying lengths in 12 scenic locations around the county.

Laois Walks Committee are reviving the Laois Walks Festival for the month of June 2023. 

They are offering walks from a gentile two hour walk around Emo Court, to a challenge hike of up to four hours in the Slieve Bloom mountains, all led by local expert guides. 

Weekend one, June 3 to Bank Holiday Monday June 5, focuses on Cullohill, Durrow and Spink.

Then on Saturday 10 to Monday 12, walkers can explore Portarlington, Ballybrittas and Emo.

The third weekend, June 17 to 19 offers a chance to walk in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, from Rosenallis, Clonaslee and Mountrath.

Finally from June 24 to 26, there is a chance to explore the hilly woodlands and canal in Laois, in Stradbally, Timahoe and Fisherstown. 

The fee is just €5 per walk, register at each one before it starts, cash only. The organisers advise walkers to wear comfortable walking footwear, bring raingear (you never know!), your own snacks and drinks, and stick with the group leader.

As always, they remind walkers of the countryside code: leave no trace, no dogs, on country lanes walk in single file, right hand side, and respect private property, farmland, wildlife and the environment. 

Weekend 1 : Sat 3rd to Monday 5th June

Sat: 11.30am: Cullohill, Grade A—10km—2-3 hrs. (Meet at Bunlacken Brú car park) Eircode: R32 T9T2

Sun: 11.30am: Durrow, Grade B 12km –3-4 hrs. (Meet at Durrow Community Hall) Eircode: R32 F228

Mon: 2.30pm: Spink,  Grade A—10km—2 1/2 hrs. (Meet at Knock Church car park) Eircode: R32 A3HA

Hot weather advice from Met Éireann

Weekend 2: Sat 10th—Monday 12th June

Sat:  11.30am: Portarlington, Bog Walk, Grade B—12km—3-4 hrs. (Meet at The Hawthorn Pub car park) Eircode: R32 XP59

Sun: 11.30am: Emo , Grade C—8km—2 hrs. (Meet at Emo G.A.A. car park) Eircode: R32 NV30

Mon: 7.30pm: The Derries, Ballybrittas, Grade B—9km—2 hrs. (Meet at Rathdaire Church car park) Eircode: R32 H395

Weekend 3: Sat 17th—Monday 19th June

Sat: 11.30am: Monicknew Grade A—10km—3-4 hrs. (Meet at Mountrath Cattle Mart) Eircode: R32 DH68

Sun:  11.30am: Ridge of Capard , Grade A—10km—3 hrs. (Meet at the Ridge of Capard car park) GRID Ref: N363065

Mon: 7.30pm: Clonaslee,  Grade A—10km—3 hrs. (Meet at the Heritage Centre) Eircode:  R32 EH3F

Laois woman signs off from Met Éireann top job after hectic years of weather

Weekend 4: Sat 24th—Monday 26th June

Sat:  11.30am: Stradbally, Oakvale, Grade B—10m—2 1/2 hrs. (Meet in Oakvale car park) GRID Ref: S585951

Sun: 11.30am: Fossey , Timahoe, Grade A—10km—2 1/2 hrs. 2:30pm (Meet at Timahoe Community Hall) Eircode: R32 KC82

Mon: 7.30pm: Fisherstown, Grade A—12km—2 1/2 hrs. (Meet at the Fisherman’s Thatched Inn) Eircode: R32 CR22