A unique new business venture has been launched outside of Abbeyleix, which promises fun for all the family. 

Dealgrove Farm near Abbeyleix have announced the opening of their giant six acre maze this July.

The 'Maize Maze' is the first of its kind in the county, and is cleverly designed in the shape of a tractor. Along with finding your way through the maze, there are fun games where you must solve puzzles with answers hidden in eight stations throughout

"We hope to get people to come from far and wide, to bring more people to Laois," business owner Stephen Pratt told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Set on a real working farm just five minutes outside Abbeyleix, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors, explore nature, and make lasting memories together.

"I own a tillage farm, and I decided to diversify the farm to have a seperate income. The tourism draw locally is the Maize Maze. It can be fun for families, friends, clubs and parties," Mr Pratt explained.

Mr Pratt said that while there are farms in Ireland that have mazes, there are none that form a stunning image from above.

"Creating the tractor pattern was hard to pull off, but we had good contractors helping with the work," he said.

"We were using machines with GPS and manually creating the picture with a hoe, but it was particularly difficult to form the pattern because the weather has been so disagreeable. The ground was too dry in April and May when we were sewing, and now when we need the sunlight, it is overcast," he said.

Pictured: The Maize Maze

Last January, the business received €23,800 under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

"the grant was fantastic, I grow organic potatoes on the farm that are available for sale, and a relation of mine sells home baked goods here," he said. 

"The owner is Jane's Bakes, she has just finished her Leaving Cert and she is a baker, she bakes all kinds of tasty treats and has amazing coffee for sale. 

"The maize is currently four feet in height, ideally we would like to have it at six feet by August 1. We also have Maisy the cow, a life sized cow made from fiberglass, that children are able to milk.  Kids from any age would have the world of fun here, while parents can sit back and enjoy a cup of tea," he said.

Mr Pratt has said that feedback locally has been fantastic, with many people unsure of what the business would entail.

"People didn't really understand why I'm doing this, or what the concept is until I explained it to them. Now that they all know, they are looking forward to it. We hope to open every Saturday and Sunday, with large bookings accepted during weekdays," he finished.

Mr Pratt intends to open this maze to the public on Saturday July 26.

For more information on Dealgrove Farm's Maize Maze, see their website here.

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