Warming up for the fabulous Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival

The line-up for the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival is getting bigger and bigger according to the driving force behind the event, Trudi Lalor, who wants locals, newcomers and the Laois diaspora to return, reconnect and reunite this autumn.

A wide range of entertainment, community, cultural and sporting events have been organised so far with sponsors already lined up.

The festival gets underway on Friday, September 5 when Leo Moran of The Sawdoctors is joined by former member Padraig Stevens in a songwriting workshop for inmates of Portlaoise Prison as part of helping with their rehabilitation.

Friday also features an art exhibition with Tommy Gorman (living with Autism) in Hares Corner, Mountmellick at 3pm. Tommy’s work will then be displayed in Mountmellick Library until September 13.

That evening in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel features The Spirit of Luke Kelly & The Dubliners. Kevin Morrin and Abbeyfolk, plus support by Ian Delaney, will also perform at the fully seated show.

Doors open at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm sharp. Tickets €15 on sale now from The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel 057 8730111 and through Eventbrite.ie

Saturday, September 6 features Brush Dancing in Ballyfin with Maureen Culleton from 11am - 1pm. Admission is free but email seanchistin@gmail.com or phone (087) 648 2038 to book a place.

Saturday features a bus tour around Lovely Laois taking in the various landmarks and scenic spots in Lovely Laois with Martley Buses. It departs the Midlands Park Hotel at 11am and returning at 2pm. To book your seat call Martley’s Buses on 057 - 8620888.

Day two features a literary event in Preston House Abbeyleix from 11am - 6pm. It includes a writing workshop with Helen Moorehouse a playwrighting workshop with Frances Harney, poetry reading with Hollywood actor Patrick Bergin, open mic with Arthur Broomfield, Pat Critchley, Johnny Thompson and more. The event is curated by Amanda Kelly. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pat Critchley in the line up.

To book your workshop check out The Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival Facebook Page and Eventbrite.ie

Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise is the home of GAA action on Saturday and Sunday.

Later in the day the legendary Kilfenora Ceile Band will perform in the Castletown Community Centre 8pm - 11pm. Doors open 7pm. Tea / coffee, sandwiches and buns are included in the ticket price. Tickets €15 on sale from Betty’s shop Castletown on (087) 633 7133 or from eventbrite.ie

If Céil is not your cup of tea then the gala dinner in the Midlands Park Hotel is a good alternative. When the guest of honour will be Ballyfin man and “Supervet” Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

Four unsung heroes from Laois will be honoured. They are:

• Christy Cullen songwriter of Lovely Laois .
• Ger Thompson , Chairman of The Laois Association in Dublin .
• Jack McDonald founder of The Laois Worldwide Facebook Page with over 23,000 members .
• The PATH Foundation .

The night features music and Ballads with “The Musketeers” - Mick Foster, Billy Morrissey & TR Dallas followed by dancing to Trudi Lalor, Shawn Cuddy & Damien Bowe.

Tickets €59 includes four course dinner, award ceremony and all the music and entertainment. Contact The Midlands Park Hotel on 057 8678588 or from Eventbrite.ie

Timahoe Male Choir to entertain.

Events concluded on Sunday, September 7 starting with a community Mass in SS Peter & Paul’s Church Portlaoise. The Timahoe Male Choir, The Laois Community Choir and SS Peter & Paul’s Contemporary Choir plus Trudi Lalor will perform at the Mass which will be celebrated by Msgr John Byrne, Portlaoise PP. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Sunday also features seven Community Tea Dances across the county in the following locations.

• Mountrath - Bloom HQ
• Stradbally - St. Colman’s NS Hall.
• Spink - Knock Hall
• The Heath - GAA Hall
• Arles / Killabbin - Killeen Hall
• Durrow - Castle Arms Hotel
• Mountmellick - ICA Hall

All Tea Dances are kindly Sponsored by Martley’s Bus Company Portlaoise.

The festival Grand Finale is a Country Music Concert in The Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise featuring Brendan Shine, Paddy O'Brien, Olivia Douglas, PJ Murihy, Aidan Quinn (Philomena Begley’s son) and more !

Laois Taste food producers will have their stalls with their food and drink on Saturday and Sunday outside The Midlands Park Hotel.

There will also be free art and photography exhibitions taking place in various locations across the county.

There will be also be a Chess Blitz over the weekend with ASH (Academy of Success and Happiness) in Portarlington .