'Awful fright' for families on road to GAA club near Portlaoise

The narrow road to a GAA club is giving families "an awful fright" when they meet oncoming traffic.

The road to Clonad GAA club, well known for its annual Halloween Pumpkin fundraiser, is unfortunately giving scares all year round, along with a "very dangerous" humpback bridge, according to a Laois councillor.

Now Laois County Council will consider installing passing bays on the road near Portlaoise, parallel to the Abbeyleix Road. They will also take a look at the stone bridge to see if it needs work.

It follows a motion tabled by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald to the June meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"Everyone who uses it will tell you it's busy and there's nowhere for cars to pull in. Kids and adults use it when there are matches and training. You could get an awful fright.

"There is a humpback bridge on the road, it's very dangerous. If you are familiar with it, you go slow. I'm surprised there is not more accidents," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconded her motion.

"This needs to happen," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh said that the popular Pumpkin Patch, held over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend yearly - see 2024 photos here- brings more motorists who are held back waiting to pass each other.

He asked if there is a protection order on the humpback bridge.

"It is quite dangerous, it could do serious damage to a car. There are quite a few of them in rural areas," he said.

Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton said some of the bridges are protected by law.

"They are a part of our heritage. It is the way bridges were provided. You're not suggesting to take it out?" he asked.

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Cllr Walsh said no to that. 

Mr Walton also said that the hump shape allows more water through in times of heavy rain, preventing flooding.

The Portlaoise MD area engineer will meet Cllr Fitzgerald on the road to examine suitable passing bay locations. They say that the bridge on this L6714 road will be inspected too, to assess its condition and be considered for inclusion in the 2026 Bridge Rehabilitation Works funding application, if any remedial work is needed.