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20 Nov 2025
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20 Nov 2025
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A Portlaoise farm with fields of beautiful golden sunflowers is inviting the public to come and pick their own this weekend, and support two great charity causes.
Heath House in The Heath on the edge of Portlaoise have extended their lovely annual event to three days this summer, with one day already raising thousands of euros already.
The sunflowers are organic and organically grown, sown using traditional methods and vintage machinery.
Participants are invited to come with their secateurs or scissors and pick their own to bring home, giving a charity donation.
Day one was held as part of Laois Heritage Week, to great success.
Owner Roisin O'Connell Hussey told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how it went.
"We held the first of our marathon three day fundraiser in aid of Laois Offaly Families for Autism and The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland on Sunday 20th August.
"Safe to say a great day was had by all. Cllr Thomisina Connell popped by with her beautiful little baby to pick a few flowers and lend her support to the charities, as did Heritage officer Tom Carolan.
More details below these photos taken by Heath House.
"Over €3,000 was raised from the donations and gate raffle, which was a great start to our fund raising efforts.
"Families from new borns to elderly grandparents flocked through the gates, with golf car rides through the sunflower field for grandparents, thanks to the Heath Golf Club.
"The gate raffle had lots of prizes from local businesses, whose support was both generous and much appreciated," Róisin said.
"Colour and music was supplied by the Portlaoise Ukrainian Choir who sang through the afternoon and made beautiful crowns of flowers from the wildflowers and sunflowers. It was a magical mix of good weather, beautiful flowers and happy faces with fond memories and photos to cherish in times ahead," she added.
Below: More photos by Alf Harvey from day one.
EP Tour de Picnic Tickets are up for grabs in this weekend's raffle, along with National Ploughing tickets and many more exciting prizes.
The next open days are this Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, from 10:30am-4:30pm.
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