Popular Laois pub in Portlaoise gets night-time music boost

A well known Portlaoise business is to receive a funding boost from government to help support Laois' night-time economy. 

Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue, Portlaoise is one of 33 music venues across the country that  will be offered funding of up to €15,000 from the Night-Time Economy Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme.

The funding for the pub run by PJ Kavanagh, aims to assist small, established grassroots music venues to showcase the talent of emerging musicians across Ireland. Applications were received from a wide range of late-night venues, including pubs, nightclubs and theatres. 

Kavangh's is one of the busiest music venues in Laois where many new and established acts perform at The Courtyard.

A statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said that following the announcement of the Scheme in March 2025, there was a high level of interest in this pilot scheme, with nearly 100 applications submitted by businesses before the scheme was closed. 

Those approved for funding met the scheme’s eligibility criteria, which included a requirement to demonstrate evidence of a strong track record of regularly holding ticketed grassroots music events, showcasing emerging artists performing original music, spanning the years 2023-2024.

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Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, annonunced the funding.

“Our grassroots music venues play a vital role in nurturing emerging musicians and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent, and it is very important that we recognise their contribution to the music industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face.

"I look forward to seeing the diversity of genre and talent that will reach new audiences as a result of this funding over the months ahead. I’d also encourage music lovers from across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue and support artists in the early stages of their careers.”